Local News
Marketing success: Allentown Diocese shows how to raise school enrollment
Allentown was the only diocese in Pennsylvania to show a school enrollment increase and the only diocese in the Northeast states to show an increase in elementary school enrollment. How did they do it? A bishop's committee looking into how to market the schools better included seven chief executive officers. The reasoning: If you want to sell a product, listen to people who know how to sell products. The EITC and OSTC state tax credit programs, plus the Healey Education Foundation, were also keys to success.
Foundation crucial to Allentown’s success now helping six schools in archdiocese
Part of the turnaround of the Allentown Catholic schools was the adoption of methods pioneered by the Healey Education Foundation. Along with funding by the Connolly Foundation, the methods are coming to schools in Philadelphia, Levittown and West Chester.
Clergy assignment changes announced
Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia, announces the following appointments effective as noted: PASTOR EMERITUS Reverend Donald G. Birch, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Fallsington, effective October 14, 2013 Father Birch is retiring and will reside at a private residence. PAROCHIAL ADMINISTRATOR Reverend Michael F. Hennelly, to Parochial Administrator, Saint Joseph […]
Cathedral Concert Series presents music in space for which it was meant
Music is alive and well in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and at a level of excellence it hasn’t seen in years, thanks to John Romeri, archdiocesan director of liturgical music who is entering his fourth year in the City of Brotherly Love since his arrival from St. Louis. The Cathedral Choir, originally formed by Dr. Peter LaManna for the 1976 Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia and reconstituted by Romeri, has 89 members drawn from 50 parishes. The Girls’ Choir formed by him two years ago has 42 girls representing more than 20 parishes.
Thousands from Philadelphia parishes honor Mary in ‘America’s Church’
Washington D.C. may have been shut down for most purposes on Saturday, Oct. 5, but Philadelphia Catholics were there anyway for their bi-annual visit to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The largest Catholic Church in the hemisphere, it is popularly called “America’s Church” but in reality it is far more than that. With scores of interior chapels and shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin as she is venerated in countries around the globe, it would be difficult to find a structure anywhere that more visually portrays the universality of the Church.
Bishop Zubik underscores religious freedom in speech to state lawmakers, officials
Speaking on the Catholic Church’s role in the public square, Pittsburgh Bishop David A. Zubik told a group of state legislators and his fellow bishops of Pennsylvania that religious freedom has never been understood in such a restrictive fashion as it is today. “You and I face a highly organized and well-funded crusade to block the Church from the public square,” he said.
Stable, growing southern Chester County parish hits 25-year mark
It’s not often you come across a parish celebrating its 25th anniversary with the founding pastor still ministering to the flock. That would be Father Richard J. Maisano, who was appointed to the brand new parish, St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother in Avondale, Chester County, on Aug. 30, 1988. In actuality the worshiping community of St. Gabriel really goes back 120 years to a little mission chapel, St. Francis Xavier, in New Garden Township, served by St. Patrick Parish in Kennett Square.
Governor to appeal ruling that New Jersey must allow same-sex marriage
TRENTON, N.J. (CNS) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie planned to appeal a state judge’s Sept. 27 ruling that same-sex couples “must be allowed to marry” to receive “equal protection of the law” under the state constitution. Superior Court Judge Mary C. Jacobson said her ruling would take effect Oct. 21. New Jersey currently recognizes […]
St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Media, celebrating 50 years as vibrant family
St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Media, Delaware County, has certainly come a long way in 50 years when it started in 1963 with 156 families worshiping in a converted barn. When Archbishop Charles Chaput visits on Sunday, Sept. 29 for the anniversary Mass, it will be in a clearly contemporary church where the past has been seamlessly blended in. But ultimately it is not the vibrancy of the church architecture that makes St. Mary Magdalen a great parish; it is the vibrancy of the people and the multitude of programs. “It’s one thing to build a beautiful church, it’s another to build a prayerful spirit and a family of faith,” Msgr. Chieffo said.
Two archdiocesan schools win National Blue Ribbon honor
St. Andrew School in Newtown and St. Patrick School in Malvern were selected as 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools during an announcement Sept. 24. The two parish elementary schools were two of 286 schools nationally and 15 schools statewide to be selected for the honor. They were the only Catholic schools in Pennsylvania selected this year.