Local News
Work of lay Franciscan Volunteers shows ‘Holy Spirit is working’
The Franciscan Volunteer Ministry, based in New York and serving intensively at Kensington's St. Francis Inn, received an award from the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. The volunteers take one year after college to serve -- a year that changes the community and themselves.
The truth of life emerges
Those who attended the Pennsylvanians’ for Human Life annual banquet got an earful, twice: A journalist lifted the veil on abortion media coverage, and a former abortion clinic worker had an epiphany when a clinic director finally said: “What we do here is end life.”
Youth rally on Sunday aims to help anxious teens trust in God
All Catholic high school-aged students are invited to the Generation Phaith Youth Rally March 2 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., which will include live music, workshops, lunch, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, confession and Mass.
Questionnaire on family life to aid church meetings
The input of Philadelphia-area Catholics last November will help with church discussions regarding marriage and the family this fall in Rome, and for the World Meeting of Families next year in Philadelphia.
Two Northeast Philadelphia priests found unsuitable for ministry
Archbishop Charles Chaput decided Fathers James Collins and John Paul would not return to ministry after allegations that they sexually abused minors were found to be credible. Both priests had been suspended in 2013 but face no criminal charges.
Archbishop prays for peace in Ukraine, God’s protection of its people
PHILADELPHIA (CNS) -- Ukrainian Catholic Archbishop Stefan Soroka of Philadelphia called for "fervent prayers" that God would keep the people of Ukraine strong as they mourn the loss of life in the ongoing strife in that country and that Mary "would extend her protective mantle" over them.
Parish shares plan to revitalize, rebuild and reach the ‘unchurched’
Author Tom Corcoran told an audience of more than 150 -- mostly lay parish leaders plus priests and sisters -- how his suburban Baltimore parish was transformed into an outward-looking, missionary parish that serves 4,000 worshipers at weekend Masses.
Catholics will ‘man up’ with Men’s Spirituality Conference in March
The annual conference will be held March 15 at St. Joseph’s University. It’s not too late for men to register for the day to share their faith together and learn a lot, too.
Van brings pregnant women a real alternative to abortion
Bishop John McIntyre blessed a new van Feb. 18 that Catholic Social Services will use to provide mobile care for women in crisis pregnancies. It is part of a program of the Real Alternatives agency and a state/federal partnership.
Lay people lead faith formation groups at Buckingham parish
Spreading the faith and teaching it are the goals of two groups, led by lay women, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. Participants are “living out the missionary aspect of their role as lay faithful -- to go out in the world and make disciples,” said a parish priest.