Local News
From the ‘living hell’ of youth, a young man’s future looks bright
Felix Alberto came from a dysfunctional family and a boyhood in which he thought it to be better dead than alive. After years of delinquency he turned his life around with help from staff at a Catholic program for troubled boys.
Big bump in seminary enrollment another sign of vigor for vocations
This year St. Charles Seminary will be home to 160 seminarians, with 67 studying for the Philadelphia Archdiocese, 18 of which are new arrivals. Enrollment at the seminary is up 33 percent from two years ago.
Three churches in Philadelphia Archdiocese will formally close
Effective Sept. 16, Mater Dolorosa in Philadelphia, St. John of the Cross in Roslyn and St. Cecilia in Coatesville will cease to serve as worship sites for their parishes, which are burdened by ongoing maintenance costs.
Hispanics eager for service of new auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia
Bishop Edward M. Deliman, 69, was ordained Aug. 18 by Archbishop Charles Chaput in an ornate liturgy at the Cathedral. Because of the new bishop's long ministry among Hispanics, they anticipate a renewed outreach.
South Phila. seniors see start of new affordable housing
Officials broke ground and blessed St. John Neumann Place II, the latest archdiocesan facility to be redeveloped at a former Catholic school. Fifty-two subsidized apartments will join the existing 72 units on the campus.
Archbishop announces clerical changes
Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia, announces the following appointments effective as noted ...
Pottstown parish’s teenagers enjoy faith-filled Steubenville weekend
Some two dozen members of the St. Aloysius Parish youth group traveled to Franciscan University for a summer conference that attracts about 2,000 young people. Teens called the experience "a great way to deepen your relationship with God.”
Catholic families find a fun and faithful digital community
Some 100 families and 530 individuals have joined the Catholic Family Fun Club since its launch for Philadelphia in July. It was founded by Mary Beth Yount, a former official with the World Meeting of Families.
Msgr. Lynn is freed from prison, retrial set for next year
The former secretary for clergy of the Philadelphia Archdiocese served 33 months for his 2012 conviction on a child endangerment charge. Philadelphia DA Seth Williams will retry Msgr. Lynn in a reprise of the landmark trial.
Parish partnership creates ‘culture of inclusion’ in Phila. neighborhood
St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, social service organizations, local universities and volunteers support a wide diversity of immigrants in South Philadelphia through language classes, youth programs and a flourishing garden.