Local News
Concert of gospel choirs set to raise funds for Philadelphia youth
Choirs from three parishes, two universities and a Baptist church will sing at Our Lady of Hope Church in North Philadelphia April 27. Youth programs, including one for talented young musicians, will benefit.
Bishop Shanahan students’ activities recall suffering of world’s children
The Downingtown Catholic high school held a Global Awareness Month in which students fasted, donated and acted in specific ways for four weeks to gain awareness and lend solidarity to children throughout the world.
Clergy assignment changes announced
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput announces the following appointments effective as noted.
St. Laurentius Church in danger of collapse, will be closed immediately
Cracks and deterioration of the brownstone facade of the church in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia mean it is unsafe for use and will be shut, according to the archdiocese.
Cardinal O’Hara names new principal; OCE welcomes tech, finance leaders
Peter Balzano is the new principal for the Delaware County archdiocesan high school, effective immediately. Two administrators from Bonner-Prendergast and Archbishop Ryan high schools will lead the technology and financial aid efforts in the archdiocesan Office of Catholic Education.
New Catholic senior housing facility meeting a need in Kensington
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia took the lead in securing tax credits for a project to build a 40-unit development in a poor and gentrifying section of the city. It allows seniors to stay in their neighborhood with family, friends and church.
Archbishop Chaput discusses HHS mandate, divorced Catholics
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Archbishop Charles Chaput gave a wide-ranging interview two days before Pope Francis was scheduled to receive President Barack Obama at the Vatican and the same day the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments challenging the contraception mandate. The archbishop credited the pope with teaching Catholics that they must preach the Gospel before transmitting the church's moral teachings.
Religious fault lines underlie Ukraine-Russia tensions
Philadelphia Ukrainian Archbishop Stefan Soroka described the complex interplay of three Christian communities in Ukraine during an exclusive interview with CatholicPhilly.com. If the West shows weakness by not standing up to Russia’s annexation of Crimea, it might embolden more aggression against Ukraine, he suggested.
Use social media and invite Pope Francis to Philadelphia
You can join Archbishop Chaput, Gov. Corbett, Mayor Nutter and other leaders in personally inviting Pope Francis to come to Philadelphia next year for the World Meeting of Families. See our links to social media channels to get #PopeInPhilly trending Tuesday and Wednesday.
Young Catholics flock to old church for Mass Mob
The concept was to take stately old St. Francis Xavier Church in Philadelphia and fill it for one Mass (at least) with vibrant, young adults. The idea worked, they agreed.