Local News
Fetuses from Gosnell clinic won’t be released for burial, coroner says
Despite requests by Archbishop Charles Chaput and Priests for Life founder Father Frank Pavone to bury 47 fetuses killed at the Women’s Medical Society led by abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell, the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office says the remains “will not be released to any unrelated third party,” said spokesman Jeff Moran in a statement.
1808 Society helps Catholics support Church far into the future
The 1808 Society, with its motto “Serving God by Serving One Another,” targets older Catholics who might wish to leave a bequest in their will, set up a charitable trust or charitable gift to benefit the Archdiocese or any of its entities -- perhaps a parish, a school, the Catholic Charities Appeal or a facility for the young or the aged.
New figures show signs of hope amid long slide in Mass attendance
On any given weekend during the month of October 2012, there were approximately 253,338 Catholics attending Mass in churches throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, according to figures compiled by the archdiocesan Office for Parish Service and Support. If that sounds like a lot, it isn’t. Approximately 21.8 percent of all the registered Catholics attended Mass that month.
Divergent priest barred from parishes, will speak at Catholic college
An Austrian priest whose views of the Catholic Church, including the priesthood, “diverge very seriously from Catholic belief and practice” has been barred from speaking at any parish or facility of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, according to a July 18 statement by the archdiocese.
Tiny Chester County church marks 175 years with prayers, singing – and horse and carriage
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput was the principal celebrant of an anniversary Mass July 7 at St. Malachi Church in Cochranville, Chester County, which was followed by a Celtic celebration on the grounds. St. Malachi is a mission church of Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Parkesburg, which will celebrate its 160th anniversary in September. Father Victor J. Eschbach, pastor of Our Lady of Consolation, and principal concelebrants rode to the church via horse and carriage, symbolic of the Jesuit priests who sporadically rode into the area from Delaware, Maryland and Philadelphia to celebrate Mass in barns and fields prior to the church's completion in 1838.
Seven families of St. Raymond Parish care for homeless people in 8-week program
Summer is a time for sunshine, celebration and at St. Raymond of Penafort Parish in Philadelphia, service, as homeless families from around the city are welcomed and served by parishioners. From July 1 to Aug. 31, volunteers are contributing their talents to provide homeless and low-income families with healthy meals while the parish gives them shelter at St. Raymond’s former convent.
Pa. bishop recalled as humble teacher who shared ‘the journey’ with flock
GREENSBURG, Pa. (CNS) -- Retired Bishop Anthony G. Bosco of Greensburg was remembered for his humble nature, wit, and dedication to teaching the Catholic faith at his funeral Mass, which was celebrated by Archbishop Charles Chaput, July 10 at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg.
Archbishop Chaput encourages Catholics to seek wisdom and witness to their faith
The need for America’s Catholics to seek wisdom and witness to their faith is all the more urgent at a time of increasing threats to the dignity of life, to marriage and to religious freedom, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput said in July 8. He spoke at a Year of Faith lecture sponsored by the Basilica […]
New ideas, personal touch lead to whopping rise in Seminary Appeal
Generally speaking, if you run an annual fundraising campaign and the end result is 10 percent over the previous year, you can consider it a great success. If that’s true what would you call a 74 percent increase? That’s the case with the annual St. Charles Borromeo Seminary Appeal. Last year's appeal raised $1,595,705. This year's raised $3,051,668, up $1,455,963. It's an all-time high, and counting.
Beyond fundraising, St. Charles Seminary’s rector lays plans for stronger footing
In retrospect, 2012-13 St. Charles Seminary Appeal “was a great appeal,” said the seminary’s rector, Bishop Timothy C. Senior. “I think this is about the present and the future and it is a realization that St. Charles Seminary is alive and well there is a real sense of the future."