Local News
Joy of Socks thrills homeless people, and the man who gives them
Tom Costello had a phobia of street people. But when he gave a pair of socks to a homeless woman and she hugged him in gratitude, he had an epiphany and started a vital new charity.
More local Catholic churches join 24 Hours for the Lord this weekend
In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to date, 59 parishes will participate, more than double the number from a week ago. Catholic churches worldwide are opening their doors for prayers this Friday night and Saturday.
Catholic school’s $300K grant gets students ready for college
SS. John Neumann and Maria Goretti High School in South Philadelphia won a grant to use academic data and better teacher training to raise student performance. Common Core Standards are in, "tracking" of classes is out.
New truck brings food from ‘burbs to homeless men’s bellies
A grant from the Maguire Foundation and the Philadelphia Archdiocese is helping St. John's Hospice get casseroles from families in 47 parishes to the center city shelter, and the 350-400 men it serves every day.
Catholic young adults feed the homeless, and listen to them
A new arrival to Philadelphia from the Bronx is rallying fellow young adults to hit the streets for the "Jesus Run," a monthly outreach with food and other items. The best part, they say, is talking with homeless people.
Teens enjoy prayerful, fun Generation Phaith rally
About 200 teenagers came together last Saturday at Cardinal O'Hara High school for the annual day of inspiring talks, hands-on activities and prayer, sponsored by the archdiocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministry.
Shanahan students take on four weeks of fasting to ‘live simply’
Global Awareness Month is wrapping up at Bishop Shanahan High School in Downingtown, where students fasted and refrained from the Internet and other media to live in solidarity with less fortunate people.
Philadelphia priest again prays with pope, this time in Mexico
Father Robert Feeney, pastor of a Delaware County parish, joined a priest friend serving in Las Vegas -- they're both from Port Richmond -- to concelebrate Mass with Pope Francis recently in Mexico.
Glenside students take charity from the class to the community
St. Joseph the Protector School, along with St. Luke the Evangelist Parish's PREP students, support a local agency that helps families experiencing cancer. The charitable outreach is a lesson in school, and at home.
New senior housing sought for site at St. Rita Shrine
The joint project of archdiocesan Catholic Health Care Services and the National Shrine of St. Rita would develop income-eligible housing for seniors in South Philadelphia. It would be the latest in several such Catholic-led projects.