Local News

West Philly man’s WWII memoir published half-century after his death

When Private First Class Harry Houldin returned home to Philadelphia after serving in Europe and Africa, he wrote a manuscript that laid in a trunk until it was published this year, 56 years after he died in 1962.

St. Thomas More alumni give $148K in Catholic high school aid

Although the archdiocesan high school closed in 1975, its grads have given $1.5 million in scholarships to Catholic high school students, including to 119 students this year in the Philadelphia Archdiocese.

Catholic school gutted by fire, but 400 students will study at O’Hara

After a July 18 fire destroyed half of Our Lady of Angels School in Morton, Delaware County, officials said their school year will begin at Cardinal O'Hara High School on time in September.

Clergy changes posted for Philadelphia Archdiocese

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput announces appointments for four priests, one permanent deacon and a religious brother working in archdiocesan parishes and ministries.

Moms-to-be get a budget bump at Casa del Carmen baby shower

Some 120 pregnant women and their families gathered for baby goods and information at a Northeast Philadelphia parish. Typically held quarterly at Casa's location, the July 14 event was the first at a parish.

Judge sees no religious bias against Catholic agency on same-sex foster care

A federal judge swept away claims of religious discrimination by archdiocesan Catholic Social Services and ruled it must provide home assessments for same-sex couples wishing to become foster parents in Philadelphia.

From crack to calculus: St. Gabriel’s Hall grad triumphs as a teacher

Quamiir Trice overcame crime and drugs thanks to a Catholic Social Services program. Now a teacher, he inspires students at the school that changed the course of his life.

Nun-physician has spent much of her life educating young people about NFP

Sister Hanna Klaus is an OB-GYN, a member of the Medical Mission Sisters and best known as founder of the TeenSTAR adolescent sex education program, which is used around the world.

Gethsemani Way pioneers retreat on addiction and spirituality

Based at St. Norbert Parish in Paoli, the addiction recovery ministry drew more than 30 participants from several states last month at Malvern Retreat House. Speakers stressed the role of grace in healing addiction.

Through ups and downs of 125 years, St. Ignatius Parish’s faith endures

The West Philadelphia parish is predominantly African American, although it began as a parish for German Catholics. With help from St. Katharine Drexel's sisters, the Catholic faith has sustained the Black Catholic community.