Local News
CSS so good at supporting pregnant women, state agency gives it top award
Catholic Social Services (CSS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has been named Pennsylvania’s Service Provider of the Year by the Harrisburg-based Real Alternatives, a state-funded nonprofit that administers the Alternative to Abortion Services Program of the Commonwealth.
Archbishop Ryan HS, Holy Family U, agree to stronger ties in Northeast Phila.
Students and faculty at Archbishop Ryan High School will soon be able to earn college-level credits or continuing education credits and a smoother college admissions process through a new partnership with Holy Family University.
Terri Schiavo’s memory honored with upcoming Mass, dinner
Terri Schindler Schiavo, a comatose young woman who died in Florida March 31, 2005 after being denied nutrition and hydration despite a long court battle, has not been forgotten. On Friday, April 5, Archbishop Charles Chaput will celebrate a 5 p.m. Mass in Terri’s memory at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. This will be followed by a dinner at the Philadelphia Downtown Marriot Hotel at 12th and Market streets, sponsored by the Terri Schiavo Life and Hope Network.
St. Dominic’s 7th graders correctly picked new pope before cardinals did
The next time there is a papal election, it might be just as well to skip the white smoke/black smoke suspense and endless speculation on who will be elected pope. Just call up St. Dominic School in Northeast Philadelphia and find out what the seventh-grade kids think.
Archbishop Chaput leads worshipers at Cathedral to pray for Pope Francis
Despite the liturgy having the readings of the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Archbishop Charles Chaput’s usual 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening Mass on March 17 took on a festive air, as it was designated a Mass of Thanksgiving for Pope Francis. He was elected the Successor to St. Peter on March 13.
Devotion to Mary in painting spreading from Latin America to Philadelphia, by way of Pope Francis
Chances are, you never before heard of devotion to “Mary Untier (or Undoer) of Knots.” You are apt to hear a lot about it in the future because it happens to be a favorite devotion of Pope Francis. Archbishop Charles Chaput already knows about it because he has on his desk an image of it given to him some years ago by the future pope.
Cultural Heritage Mass celebrates ‘all one people under one God’
There is nothing quite like the annual Cultural Heritage Mass to give the idea of what it means to belong to the Universal Church and to live in a country that draws future citizens from around the world. This year’s Mass, held Saturday, March 16 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul with Archbishop Charles J. Chaput as the principal celebrant, featured groups representing approximately 20 different nationalities.
Girls can play CYO football with boys, archbishop directs
Come the fall, girls will be allowed to play full contact football with boys on Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) teams in the Philadelphia Archdiocese, the archdiocesan Communications Office announced March 14 in a statement.
St. Patrick’s Day steps off with Mass before big parade
St. Patrick’s Day was officially observed a bit early in Philadelphia on Sunday, March 10 with a Mass -- where else? -- at St. Patrick’s Church near Rittenhouse Square. Of course, the huge parade followed. Past, present and future were the themes of Archbishop Charles Chaput’s homily at the early morning Mass, and the past had special resonance because the annual celebration is really about honoring heritage.
St. Charles Seminary plans to compress campus, close college buildings
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput has announced March 7 that the huge building that houses the lower side (College Division) at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood will be closed and the seminary consolidated into what is now the upper side (Theology Division). As part of the overall plan of consolidation, the seminary will seek to lease or sell underutilized buildings and property, but at the same time implement new spiritual and academic programs for seminarians and lay adult theology students.