Local News
St. Aloysius School in Pottstown turns 100, keeps up with the times
When it opened in 1913 St. Aloysius School had 178 students, and over the years there have been ups and downs. But this year, according to principal Sarah Kerins, there are 250 children from pre-school through grade eight. Bishop Michael J. Fitzgerald visited the Pottstown school on Sunday, Sept. 15, to celebrate a centennial Mass in the parish church for this singular milestone.
Northeast Philadelphia Catholic school wins $20K grant
St. Katherine of Siena School received a $20,000 grant from the Healey Education Foundation Sept. 5 for its school advancement efforts. Recent enrollment gains, a new governance board, fundraising and other initiatives show “a level of professionalism once seen only in higher education institutions."
La Salle prof brings St. Augustine’s classic biography into English
It has taken more than 20 years, but La Salle University professor and St. Augustine scholar Frederick Van Fleteren is nearing completion of the first full translation to English of a 17th-century classic French biography of Augustine of Hippo. “It is by far the most comprehensive and intensive biography of Augustine ever written," he said.
Official who issued same-sex marriage licenses removed as volunteer at Catholic school
Bruce Hanes, the Montgomery County Register of Wills, has been a long-time volunteer judge for the mock trial team at Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls in Philadelphia. But not any longer.
Medical Mission Sister honored for work with victims of human trafficking
Medical Mission Sister Teresita Hinnegan has long worked to end to human trafficking and teach women how to value themselves. Recently she made history through her efforts. She was awarded the first ever Dawn’s Place Life Time Achievement Award, recognizing her life’s work to empower women and stop violence against them, the Medical Mission Sisters announced Sept. 17.
Conference at Neumann U shows sports as path to peace
Playing sports provides many valuable life lessons such as how to work as a team, how to be a good sport and how to get along with others. The last lesson was incorporated into a “Beyond the Divide” conference hosted by Neumann University Sept. 10. The all-day conference focused on how sports can bridge religious differences and reduce conflict.
46 parishes begin self-study phase of planning process
Parishioners at 46 parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia learned at Masses last weekend that their parishes will begin a program of self-study that may lead to mergers next year, the Archdiocese announced Sunday, Sept. 16. The parishes are grouped in seven Pastoral Planning Areas in sections of Bucks, Delaware and Montgomery counties, plus South Philadelphia.
St. John’s Hospice marks 50 years of serving the homeless with gala
When St. John’s Hospice, which conducts Philadelphia’s most celebrated feeding program for poor and homeless men, held its 50th Anniversary Gala, it chose to do so at its near neighbor, the Reading Terminal Market. The market is a celebrated institution in its own right -- after all, it has been feeding Philadelphians since 1892. Approximately 400 supporters of St. John’s, led by Archbishop Charles Chaput, crowded into the venerable market after hours on Sept. 7 to enjoy the foods that have made it a Philadelphia treasure.
Bishop blesses growing school community at St. Andrew, Drexel Hill
Bishop Daniel Thomas visited the Delaware County school to celebrate Mass to begin the new school term Sept. 11. He also blessed and dedicated two renovated school buildings at the parish, which is seeing the fruits of stewardship.
St. Norbert’s youth ministry, parishioners, draw top Christian musician
If, as St. Augustine said, singing is praying twice, then prayers lifted the rafters of the parish center at St. Norbert Parish in Paoli as two-time Grammy Award nominee Matt Maher performed a live concert recently for more than 600 fans.