Local News
Two grants give boost to St. Thomas Aquinas school lab, library
A $25,000 grant for a new science and health lab and curriculum plus a $10,000 grant for library resources come at a good time for the Independence Mission School in South Philadelphia, which is seeing re-enrollments up sharply from the previous year.
Ottsville parish school becomes independent Regina academy
To combat declining enrollment in its parish school, St. John the Baptist in Bucks County formed a new partnership with the successful Regina Academies, which bring a curriculum of classical language, grammar and the Catholic catechism, and a close association with the parish church for liturgies.
Archdiocesan high schools and teachers agree on new contract
The new one-year agreement for 650 teachers in the 17 archdiocesan high schools calls for a raise in salaries and higher contributions for medical benefits.
Permanent deacons to be ordained in cathedral June 7
Seven men will be ordained permanent deacons by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on Saturday, June 7 at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia. All the faithful are invited to attend the ordination Mass and to pray for the men as they become ordained clergy in the archdiocese.
Philadelphia Archdiocese sues Obamacare’s ‘mandate’
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and its Catholic Charities affiliates sued three agencies of the U.S. federal government Monday, June 2, seeking relief from the so-called “HHS mandate” that requires health care coverage for contraception. Church agencies face fines of $1,600 per day for non-compliance, or violation of Catholic teaching on the sanctity of life if they comply.
Clergy assignment changes announced
Archbishop Chaput announced 86 changes in assignments for priests, including parish pastors, in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia June 1.
Parishes in Philadelphia, counties to merge in latest wave of planning
Parishes in South Philadelphia and Bucks, Delaware and Montgomery counties will see some churches become worship sites as communities merge into 13 new, larger parishes in geographic areas with high concentrations of Catholic churches. Changes in clergy assignments in the Philadelphia Archdiocese were also announced.
Parish sings joyfully of its milestone anniversary
Corpus Christi Parish in Lansdale is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a slate of concerts, including the visit of two guest choirs last month.
Pa. diocese files suit against HHS mandate
The Diocese of Greensburg in western Pennsylvania and Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt filed suit in a U.S. District Court May 27, claiming the regulation known as the HHS mandate infringes on the church’s religious liberty.
Catholic Leadership Institute transitions its own leadership
Founder and longtime board chairman of Wayne-based CLI, Tim Flanagan, is stepping aside for a new chair, Mike Emmi. He is a former leader of technology firms and a member of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Strafford.