Local News
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.
Three Chester County parishes set to offer Alpha Course for evangelization
The primary goal of the Year of Faith was to inspire Catholics to renew their relationship with Christ and His Church. One example of a successful evangelization effort in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is the Alpha Course. Three parishes in Chester County are offering the 10-week course one night a week starting this month.
Villanova Augustinian priest paints icon as gift to Pope Francis
What do you give to the pope, who pretty much has everything he could want, especially if he is a simple man at heart? That was the problem facing the Order of St. Augustine, whose leadership gathered in Rome on Aug. 28 for a general chapter. After it was announced that Pope Francis would celebrate the opening liturgy at the general chapter, Augustinian Father Richard Cannuli, who is chair of the art department at Villanova University, offered to paint an icon for the pope as an appropriate gift.
Special students start new year with blessing at St. Katherine Day School
The sun was shining brightly in the Philadelphia area on Sept. 4 and nowhere more brightly than at a little school tucked away at 930 Bowman Avenue in Wynnewood. That would be St. Katherine Day School, where some very special children with learning and in some cases physical disabilities were starting their very first day of the school year, and there was not an unhappy face among them. (See a photo gallery and watch a video.)
Archbishop Chaput to open Cathedral Saturday night for Syria prayers
Responding to Pope Francis’ call for Catholics around the world to fast and pray for peace in Syria and the Middle East, Archbishop Charles Chaput invites Catholics and everyone in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to participate this Saturday, Sept. 7, the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia will be open from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday night for exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Communal prayers for peace will be offered every hour.
Head back to school with our special online guide
Catholic school students are getting ready to head back to school next week. CatholicPhilly.com’s 2013 Back to School supplement shows what Catholic school students have been doing over the summer, and the plans being made for the fall term at Catholic high schools, regional elementary schools and parish grade schools.
In a first, Catholic Charities to benefit from ticket sales at Phillies’ game
The Phillies and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are teaming up to offer a fun night of baseball at Citizens Bank Park to benefit a good cause: the annual Catholic Charities Appeal. The first-ever Catholic Charities Night at the Phillies will be Sept. 17, and $8 from each ticket purchased will go toward the appeal. The night will have a Catholic flair when Bishop Timothy Senior, rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the game against the Florida Marlins beginning at 7:05 p.m. And the choir of St. Cyprian Parish in West Philadelphia will sing the National Anthem.
Salesians send out three local young adults among 28 lay missionaries
Natalie Baker of Springfield, Delaware County, Matthew Pirrall of Schwenksville and Patrick Sabol of Wayne were among three of the 28 mostly young women and men commissioned Aug. 17 as lay missionary volunteers by the Salesians of Don Bosco. They will serve in five countries and the United States.