Local News
Church ready to help seniors get the food aid they need
Catholic Health Care Services received a $35,000 grant to help seniors with the paperwork to receive federal food assistance. Most seniors are eligible for the help but don't know how to access the benefits.
Sisters of St. Joseph open Welcome Center for new arrivals in Olney
The pastor of St. Helena Parish in Philadelphia blessed a new center that will aid seniors and immigrants through English language classes. He also blessed the parish food pantry and led renewal of the sisters' vows.
Helping Hands at St. Monica’s get to work feeding the world
Some 280 volunteers, led by the Catholic Young Adults of Chester County, met at the parish in Berwyn to make a difference in the world by packaging 50,000 meal bags through a Catholic Relief Services project.
Archbishop Chaput: Enforce immigration laws, don’t separate families
The right of people to find work outside their own country is "a matter of basic human rights," Archbishop Charles Chaput said March 19 during a prayer service at the cathedral. In the contentious immigration debate, "we need to resist the temptation to demonize those with whom we disagree,” he said.
Local teacher lauded for work on long-term rebuild in Haiti
The Blessed Sacrament Sisters gave Anne Hoppenot their St. Katharine Drexel Award. While many non-profits aided Haiti after the 2010 earthquake but soon left, hers has stayed and made education its priority.
Come to the cathedral this Sunday to pray for immigrants
Archbishop Charles Chaput urged all residents to join in Evening Prayer March 19 at 4 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in support of immigrants, some of whom might not attend over fear of deportation.
Cardinal Dolan lauds ‘communion of friends’ at Neumann U
New York's archbishop was the guest of honor at the university's 52nd annual Charter Day celebration on the campus March 15. It is the last such convocation for retiring president Rosalie Mirenda.
People with addictions, and loved ones, draw strength from faith
About 100 people either active in their addiction or in recovery from it, along with their family and friends, gathered March 11 for a special Mass at the cathedral. It was beneficial for them and for the church, an organizer believes.
In city and country, deportation worries on the rise
When immigrant parents choose godparents for a baptism, they seek American citizens so they can raise the baby if the parents are deported. In a CatholicPhilly.com special report, Catholic pastors and leaders survey the new landscape of fear in the archdiocese.
Local Catholics donate to collections for CRS, Black and Indian Missions
Catholics in the Philadelphia Archdiocese gave more than $600,000 for the two national collections taken up in churches. Funds raised benefit Catholic Relief Services and church immigration agencies, and evangelization efforts.