Local News

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.

Happily married to Jesus

Dozens of women from across the United States who have vowed their virginity as spouses of Christ discussed their lives and unique roles as consecrated virgins, and what it means for the Catholic Church.

St. Francis Country House threatened by potential shooter

St. Francis Country House in Darby, Delaware County, was the scene of police activity Wednesday afternoon, July 30, after a Darby man made threats of gun violence at the nursing facility and the adjacent Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital.

Father Bongard named new head of Roman Catholic HS

Father Joseph W. Bongard, a 1977 graduate of the center city archdiocesan high school, will become its new rector and president Aug. 1. He returns to the school he led as rector from 2006 to 2010 before serving as vice rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood for the past four years.

Clergy changes announced

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput announces the following appointments effective as noted.

Child migration crisis is complex, local experts agree

Leaders in the Philadelphia Archdiocese who work on the issue of 55,000 unaccompanied minors trying to immigrate to the United States trace the root causes of the crisis, and say a turning point may come from the Obama administration in September.