Local News
Clerical changes announced
Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia, announces the following appointments effective as noted: RETIREMENT Deacon Philip E. Heaney, Permanent Deacon, Maternity B.V.M. Parish, Philadelphia, effective January 15, 2013 Deacon Thomas J. Horan, Permanent Deacon, Saints Peter and Paul Parish, West Chester, effective January 15, 2013 Deacon Joseph E. Iannucci, Permanent […]
Catholic Charities Appeal launches with goal to ‘transform reality’ via annual fund drive
The reality is, human needs abound in any community. In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia those needs include shelter for those without a home, care for special-needs people, a safe environment for children after school, and many others. Charity – the material outreach of love – can transform those realities and improve the human condition.
Catholics in Archdiocese asked to offer prayers for Pope Benedict, cardinals
The retirement of Pope Benedict XVI and the conclave to elect a new pope will take place in Rome but plans to pray for both are underway in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Top among them is a Mass to be celebrated 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24 for Pope Benedict at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.
Permanent deacons to see changes for ministry, formation in Archdiocese
Permanent deacons are a growing presence in the Church of Philadelphia. Under new rules promulgated by Archbishop Charles Chaput on Feb. 13 and effective March 24, theirs will be a much more visible presence in the future. First, they will be permitted to witness marriages celebrated outside of Mass. Second, they will wear a clerical shirt when performing public duties as deacons outside of a liturgy. Third, the age for entering the deacon formation program will be lowered to 50.
Before conclave, Cardinal Rigali lists qualities cardinals will seek in electing next pope
Philadelphia’s Archbishop Emeritus, Cardinal Justin Rigali, was just as surprised as everyone else by the almost unprecedented Feb. 11 announcement by Pope Benedict XVI that he would resign from the papacy at 8 p.m. Rome time, Feb. 28. "We all know the extraordinary issues he has to face day in and day out," the Cardinal said, "so he very candidly said, ‘I had been thinking about this and I am now convinced the role of successor St. Peter is so involved, I don’t have the strength.’ This was beautiful, because he certainly gave his all in everything that he did.”
Lansdale parish aims to bring back inactive Catholics by listening first
Many Catholics say they “used to be Catholic” or call themselves Catholic but rarely if ever go to church. Reaching out to those inactive Catholics is the goal of “Bridging the Breach,” an evangelization initiative of Corpus Christi Parish in Lansdale that began with its first session Sunday, Feb. 10. Even before that, organizers knew that inactive Catholics had to be invited personally to share their thoughts and feelings about why they no longer practiced their faith.
St. Anne Parish preserving its legendary history at Villanova U’s website
As cemeteries go, St. Anne Cemetery, which is adjacent to St. Anne Church, in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia, is not large. Many if not most of the tombstones have seen their inscriptions obliterated and lost to memory, save that of a dwindling number of descendants, and the written records of the grand old church. That is about to change.
Lent begins this week, Archbishop to celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass at Cathedral
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 13, and Archbishop Charles J. Chaput will be the principal celebrant for the Ash Wednesday Mass at 12:05 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia. Catholics in 252 parishes across the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will attend Mass or a Liturgy of the Word that […]
St. Donato Parish to merge with Our Lady of Lourdes in West Philadelphia
St. Donato Parish in West Philadelphia will merge with Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, it was announced at weekend Masses Feb. 2-3. St. Donato Church, at 65th and Callowhill streets, will become a worship site for occasional use, according to a statement by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia released Feb. 4. The merger of the parishes, whose churches are located only 1.25 miles from each other, becomes effective Feb. 24.
Don Guanella Village, serving intellectually disabled men, switching to cottage homes for care
An era will end when, as announced recently, Don Guanella Village begins to move from a full campus-based program to smaller, community-based group homes. The facility for intellectually disabled men in Springfield, Delaware County has been run by archdiocesan Catholic Social Services for almost half a century.