Local News
Blue Ribbon schools stand out with strong academics, innovations
Five Catholic grade schools in the Philadelphia Archdiocese received top national honors -- among just 50 private schools in the U.S. and the only ones in Pa. -- relying on high scores, creative programs and social outreach.
Neumann U receives $1.4 million bequest from husband of late professor
When Janet Farahmand taught nursing students, she often met with them in the Neumann library. Now her husband Ahmad has donated their entire estate to the library, and to two nursing scholarships.
Multi-parish effort welcomes evangelist’s multi-generational message
Chris Stefanick spoke to 700 people of every age Oct. 10 at Archbishop Carroll H.S. about applying the Gospel to everyday life. St. Margaret Parish, Narberth, and nine other parishes teamed up to present it.
School lunch program is nutritious, delicious — and blessed
St. Martha School in Philadelphia joined more than 100 area sites in kicking off National School Lunch Week Oct. 14. Nutritional Development Services serves some 17,000 noontime meals each day in the archdiocese.
Priest rallies law enforcement to brighten kids’ night
Dozens of Philadelphia police gathered on Oct. 9 to flash their car lights outside of Shriners Hospital for Children. Oblate Father Steven Wetzel organized the local version of "Good Night Lights," a movement that has spread throughout the nation.
Five Catholic grade schools in archdiocese get national honors
Five local Catholic grade schools -- Cardinal Foley Regional, Mary Mother of the Redeemer, St. Pius X, St. Thomas the Apostle and SS. Colman-John Neumann -- have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Penn-Drexel Newman opens new Catholic ministry center
A ribbon cutting last weekend for the new facility serving Penn and Drexel students plus residents of University City led celebrations tied to Cardinal John Henry Newman, who will be named a saint Oct. 13.
Holy Family Home to be rebuilt on same Southwest Phila. site
The Little Sisters of the Poor, caring for the elderly poor in the city for 150 years, have begun a project to replace their 1970s-era facility at a cost of up to $45 million -- entirely on donations.
Hispanic Heritage Mass reflects ‘different countries, one family’
Some 300 Spanish-speaking Catholics from 40 parishes and worship sites gathered for the annual liturgy. More than 20 lay faithful also received certificates in church ministry from the Hispanic Catholic Institute.
Two South Phila. parishes have big reasons to celebrate
Catholic faith and camaraderie were in the air Oct. 6 as St. Paul Parish blessed its new social hall at St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi Church while a few blocks away, St. Nicholas Parish celebrated its annual Italian Festival.