Local News
Casa del Carmen preschool kids are blessed for success
The top-ranked academy, part of archdiocesan Catholic Social Services, gave students free backpacks filled with supplies and prayers for the new year. Area parishes rely on the partnerships CSS provides.
Parishioners voice their anger, resolute faith, amidst scandal
CatholicPhilly.com canvassed members of several parishes across the Philadelphia Archdiocese for reaction to the clergy sexual abuse crisis. While most said their faith remains strong, they know of people leaving the church over the scandal.
Archbishop Chaput to pope: Cancel youth synod, meet about bishops
Archbishop Charles Chaput wrote to the pope asking him to cancel the synod of bishops in Rome on the concerns of young people in the church, set for this October, and instead plan for a "synod on the life of bishops."
Top Pa. senator opts for victims’ fund over remedy for sex abuse suits
Pennsylvania's Catholic dioceses should set up a fund to compensate survivors of clergy sexual abuse in lieu of the state lifting the statutes of limitation on lawsuits, said state Sen. Joseph Scarnati, to which the dioceses agreed.
St. Edmond’s Home for Children wraps up summer in style
The summer tradition at the Catholic Social Services facility in Rosemont for youth with profound physical and intellectual disabilities capped eight weeks of fun with Mass and a cookout on Aug. 16.
Montco young adults deepen prayer, bond with others at retreat
About 40 members of the Metanoia Young Adults group in Montgomery County met Aug. 25 at St. Eleanor Parish, Collegeville, for a day of prayer, discussion and reflection on how to listen to God in their lives.
Parishioners praise Mary on West Chester’s streets for 99th year
Generations of families who founded the celebration of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother at St. Agnes Parish continued it last week with Mass, breakfast, a street procession and benediction.
Catholic parishes take up call to welcome refugees in region
The Catholic Church resettles 30 percent of the refugees who arrive in the U.S. In Philadelphia, archdiocesan Catholic Social Services helped one Delaware County parish welcome families to their new homes.
Meet two new refugee families — and learn how you can help
Some 65 million refugees worldwide are fleeing religious persecution, war, famine and poverty. Families like Apolina's and Valeriy's get resettlement help here from Catholic Social Services, but the needs are many.
Catholic support group for suicide offers ‘Life Resurrected’
Based at St. Albert the Great in Huntingdon Valley, the ministry was founded by a parishioner whose grief over her son led her to a deeper faith and gave her a heart to help others.