Local News
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.
Teens enjoy day of fun, prayer to aid their public witness of Catholic faith
Approximately 200 teens and their adult chaperones enjoyed a day of exploring the Catholic faith, and having fun too, March 3 at Archbishop Carroll High School, Radnor. Formerly the archdiocesan Teen Convocation, the event was renamed Generation Phaith this year by the young people themselves, who helped organize the day of workshops, prayer, music and games.
Catholic men’s conference welcomes 1,200; largest turnout yet
It would not have been surprising had the fifth annual Archdiocese of Philadelphia Men’s Spirituality Conference held at Archbishop Ryan High School on March 2 had a dramatic drop in attendance this year. Because of budget cutbacks the archdiocesan office that usually runs the event turned it over completely to a lay group. Lower numbers would have certainly been understandable but it didn’t happen. The conference was run by Man Up Philly, and if you are looking for an example of dynamic grass-roots spirituality in the Archdiocese they surely qualify.
Writer accepts national justice award on St. Katharine’s feast
Lou Baldwin, a writer for the Catholic Standard and Times, Phaith magazine and CatholicPhilly.com, received the peace and justice award from the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament order founded by St. Katharine Drexel, who has connections to his own life.
Advisory boards formed to support Catholic elementary schools in Archdiocese
One of the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission for Catholic Education was that parish and regional Catholic grade schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia be advised by an Executive Board of Elementary Education. Little more than a year later, the recommendation has come to pass with the announcement March 4 of the creation of that board to serve the whole Archdiocese, and the commitment to create advisory councils in each of the five counties.
Mass at Cathedral offers prayers for papal election
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput will celebrate Mass this Sunday, March 3, at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, for the election of a new pope. Confessions begin at 5:30 p.m. and Mass at 6:30. All priests are invited to concelebrate and all the faithful are welcome to attend. Guidelines have been provided to assist everyone in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia during this period of the papal transition to unite all in prayer with the Church and with one another. Archbishop Chaput will offer an additional Mass after the election of the new pope at a date yet to be determined.