Local News
Kids open up new world by building a library of their own
Students of St. Gabriel's Out of School Time program, run by Catholic Social Services, are using a grant to buy new books and renovate an unused room at the Gray's Ferry parish, where they're discovering "the life-changing power of literacy."
Film on school’s Vietnam vets shows men taught to love, not to die
A documentary presents the family and friends of the Father Judge High School grads in Northeast Philadelphia who died in the Vietnam War. The survivors gathered for a screening and remembrance.
Catholic physicist says harmony of faith, science is seamless, not effortless
Planetary scientist Jonathan Lunine, a Catholic convert, spoke last week on the church's strong support for astronomy and the biblical mandate to "study the cosmos and understand as much as we can."
As at some parishes, St. Charles faces abuse crisis head on
The Drexel Hill parish is among those that offered a parish meeting led by a facilitator, special prayers and information in parish bulletins regarding the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church here and abroad.
Leaders detail monetary aid for victims of ‘unspeakable crimes’
Victims of sexual abuse by an archdiocesan clergyman have until next September to file a claim in the new Independent Reconciliation and Reparations Program. Its managers said there will be no cap on compensation.
Parishes trying variety of ways to address clerical sexual abuse
From prayers to preaching to listening one-on-one, nine pastors of archdiocesan parishes talk about how they are serving Catholics reeling from the scandal. They sense a loss of trust, but also the need to grow closer to Christ.
Litany in response to sexual abuse
See a prayer seeking the mercy of God, the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and the intercession of the saints.
Archbishop Chaput announces clerical changes
Changes of assignment for two priests and two permanent deacons were announced Nov. 9.
Philadelphia Archdiocese sets up reparation fund for abuse victims
While financial details were hazy, Archbishop Charles Chaput announced the Independent Reconciliation and Reparations Program would be funded by the church for victims of sexual abuse by clergy in the archdiocese.
Montco parish keeps families and hearts warm with clothing drive
St. Eleanor Parish in Collegeville teamed up with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and GreenDrop to help area families bundle up for winter. More than 50 parish youth helped process donations and share their faith.