Local News
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.
Muslim speaker tells how religion builds ‘bridge of cooperation’
Eboo Patel spoke March 7 at St. Joseph's University for the Interfaith Campus Leadership Conference, where a Jesuit priest called Patel's interfaith youth initiative a "way to build a healthy religious pluralism in our society."
Three parishes to host Christian music concerts on three nights
From March 30 to April 1, the inaugural AbbeyFest Concert Series will present free shows at St. Norbert, Nativity of Our Lord and the Cathedral Basilica, ahead of the major all-day festival in September. See the artists' lineup.
Delco parish offers way to get spiritually fit at the gym
Don’t Sweat the Faith, a program of St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Media and a local gym, combines cross-fit workouts with Bible-based faith sharing. "This is like gold in terms of ministry," said a young priest leading it.
Local immigration expert advises how to enforce laws, welcome strangers with love
Father Thomas Betz worked on immigration issues for years in the Philadelphia Archdiocese. Answering eight key questions from CatholicPhilly.com, he explains that an open U.S. border would be chaos but low-skill immigrants should get visas, now unavailable, to do the work needed in America.
Talks for young adults look at love, responsibility, sexuality
The first in a five-week series for singles and couples in their 20s and 30s is examining St. John Paul II's teachings on Thursday nights at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
Biggest-yet men’s conference shows faith alive and growing
About 1,300 men, 100 more than last year, came to St. Joseph's University March for the ninth annual Man Up Philly. Their numbers and enthusiasm gave the impression the church is not in decline, if you know where to look.
Black Catholics, white Catholics take unflinching look at racism
At the first of three planned discussions, Catholics from several parishes came to St. Raymond Parish Feb. 28 to challenge their personal prejudices and society's presumptions in order to build racial harmony.
It’s Lent again, and time for deeper prayer, giving and fasting
The 24 Hours for the Lord initiative begun by Pope Francis returns this Lent in parishes across the Philadelphia Archdiocese. See an interactive map and many resources for Catholics on their Lenten journey.