Local News
Clergy assignment changes announced
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput announced three clergy appointments effective as noted.
Archbishop Chaput hears of suffering in Syria first hand
The Catholic archbishop of Damascus wrote a letter to Philadelphia’s archbishop detailing violence in Syria and an upswing in religious vocations among the young, despite persecution of Christians in the Middle East.
Purple Heart award overdue, and well earned
Ron Arpino, 82, was awarded the high honor this week at Holy Redeemer Hospital for wounds he sustained in Korea, in 1953. He also holds the elite Silver Star for his service there.
Archbishop invites all parishes to pray for peace in Iraq this Sunday
Pope Francis is calling on every Catholic to pray for peace in Iraq and for persecuted Iraqi Christians this Sunday. Archbishop Chaput invites all local parishioners to pray for the intention as well -- read the intercessory prayer before Mass.
Day of prayer urged for Iraq on Sunday
Archbishop Chaput, following Pope Francis' call for prayers, invites all parishes to join in prayer Aug. 17 for the people of Iraq.
As parish mergers go, Levittown’s looks like a model
Merging two parishes into one can be hard, but Queen of the Universe exceeded expectations when merging with the former Immaculate Conception. Instead of the 400 parishioners planned for the pastor’s installation Mass, 700 showed up.
Retiree completes degree, becomes Catholic chaplain to the dying
At 71, Angelo Delorenzo became the oldest member of La Salle University's graduating class this year. He is starting a new career through St. Mary Medical Center as a chaplain, which began as he aided his mother in her final days in a nursing home.
Harrisburg bishop gets hip replacement
Bishop Ronald W. Gainer, who turns 67 this month, had successful surgery for a hip replacement at Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill, Pa., Aug. 5.
Two Neumann U students discover new types of viruses
Sophomores at Neumann University found 23 new types of soil-based phages -- viruses that infect bacteria. The discoveries could lead to treatments against bacteria that have become resistant to antobiotics.
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church closes in West Philadelphia
The church built in 1887 had been a worship site of St. Cyprian Parish since last year, and became a prohibitively expensive building to maintain. Rather than jeopardize St. Cyprian, Archbishop Chaput accepted the request of the pastor and parishioners to close the site.