Local News
The year in the news: Our top 10 of 2014
Looking back on the year about to close, CatholicPhilly.com published almost 300 local Catholic news stories. Picking the top 10 will omit important stories, but we’ll give it a go, anyway.
Operation Santa Claus still going strong at Archbishop Ryan
The archdiocesan program that brings Christmas gifts to needy children went away a few years ago, but the Northeast Philadelphia high school continues it, now in its 24th year.
Children served by church enjoy festive Christmas party
Most of the children who came to the party Dec. 18, hosted by Archbishop Chaput, come from the Out of School Time (OST) programs, which serve kids in high poverty areas of the archdiocese.
Archbishop wishes all a blessed Christmas
Listen to Archbishop Charles Chaput's Christmas message.
15 archdiocesan entities report on finances
Following the release of audited financial statements for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Office for Financial Services in November, the archdiocese today released similar information for 15 more church organizations.
Bishop Shanahan HS achieving much in school and community
The Downingtown Catholic high school has had a busy few weeks with good news, including the following items.
Bishop leads prayers before creche in center city Philadelphia
In a public witness of faith in Philadelphia, Auxiliary Bishop John McIntyre led the 18th annual blessing of the Nativity scene on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at Love Park in Philadelphia.
10 years after his death, many pray for ‘Father Chuck’
Father Charles Pfeffer, former youth office director and campus minister, can still pack the faithful into a church, as they did for his memorial Mass at Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Darby Dec. 14.
Cubans see it’s ‘time to move on,’ says local Cuba-born Catholic
Jorge Fernandez of Bucks County, who escaped Cuba at age 9, knows most Cubans support normalizing relations with the U.S. He credits Pope Francis, with whom he lived for a week last year, for the breakthrough.
Archbishop: Treat immigrants with mercy and justice we expect for ourselves
The Obama Administration’s recent action to defer deportation of many undocumented immigrants serves the survival and human dignity of the families involved, Archbishop Chaput said in a statement Dec. 12. It may also force the White House and Congress to cooperate on the issue.