Local News
NDS wins $12K food grant by ConAgra Foods
A major American food producer recognized the exceptional service provided by Nutritional Development Services (NDS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. ConAgra Foods awarded NDS a Nourish Our Community grant of $12,500 Nov. 13. The money will help NDS buy food to stock the 35 food cupboards it supports in the Philadelphia region, according to NDS spokesperson Anne Ayella.
Priest projections, study of parish life undergird parish planning
Given current trends, somewhere between 2020 and 2025 the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will have more parishes than it has available priests. That fact in itself goes a long way toward explaining why there will be parish consolidations as part of the ongoing Archdiocesan Strategic Planning process.
Legal actions win stay of execution for Pa. inmate
Hubert Lester Michael Jr., who sits on death row in a Pennsylvania prison, lost one of his last chances to avoid the death penalty Nov. 7 when the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons voted unanimously to reject his petition for clemency. But the next day a federal court issued a stay of the execution.
Local collection for Sandy relief coming Sunday after Thanksgiving
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput invites all 257 parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to consider taking up a special second collection for relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy during the weekend of Nov. 24-25, the archdiocese announced Nov. 8.
Catholic Life Congress ready to help deepen Philadelphia Catholics’ faith
Catholic Life Congress is the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s annual convention for the faith formation of lay people, religious and clergy. Held this year on Saturday, Nov. 17, it comes during the Year of Faith in the Catholic Church, a time for Catholics to “grow deeper into their faith and to be renewed in their faith,” said Connie Scharff, the archdiocesan point person for organizing the congress. “As a result of that, by virtue of our baptism, once we have gone into our own faith we’re able to evangelize others simply by the way we live our daily lives.” In a sense, she believes, Catholics are answering the question, how would Jesus have lived in this day and age?
Pa.’s Catholic bishops: Democracy depends on people fighting for what they believe
Election Day, Nov. 6, offers “a critical opportunity for Catholics … to exercise our civic duty and fulfill our social responsibility in a way that becomes us as aspiring saints,” the Catholic Bishops of Pennsylvania said in a statement Nov. 2. “Because politics is the place where competing moral visions of a society meet and struggle,” […]
Clerical changes announced
Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia, announces the following appointments effective November 1, 2012, unless otherwise noted: PAROCHIAL ADMINISTRATOR Reverend David M. Vidal, I.V.E., to Parochial Administrator, Saint Hugh of Cluny Parish, Philadelphia, while continuing as Pastor, Saint Veronica Parish, Philadelphia SPECIAL MINISTRY Reverend Monsignor J. Michael Flood, to Administrator, Regina […]
Archdiocese unveils new policies for handling complaints of improper conduct with minors
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia released its comprehensive Policies for the Protection of Children and Young People Oct. 31. The policies, most of which have been already in effect, become fully effective Nov. 1 and can be read at the archdiocesan website, www.archphila.org. The policies were developed and provisionally implemented since the release of the 2011 Philadelphia grand jury report on child sexual abuse in the Philadelphia Archdiocese.
Investigator explains reason for delays in suspended priests’ cases
The Policies for Protection of Children and Young People is really a living document, according to Al Toczydlowski, who brings to the table his 30 years’ experience in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office to the archdiocesan Office for Investigations, which he has headed for the past year and a half.
At Mass for Malvern Retreat House, archbishop urges openness to Holy Spirit
“Happy Anniversary, we are grateful for the past; now let’s talk about the future,” paraphrases the basic message from Archbishop Charles J. Chaput during his homily at the 100th Anniversary Mass for Malvern Retreat House held Oct. 28 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul before a packed congregation composed of supporters of America’s largest retreat facility.