Local News
Philadelphia Catholics to join march for marriage in Washington
Five busloads of Catholics who believe marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman are scheduled to travel to Washington, D.C., on March 26 to participate in Marriage March 2013 from the National Mall to the Supreme Court followed by a rally on the National Mall.
Preparing for conclave, Cardinal Rigali stresses action of Holy Spirit
Cardinal Justin Rigali, who departed for Rome Feb. 26 to be present for the official retirement of Pope Benedict XVI and to participate in the conclave that will elect his successor, never expected he would have this duty. At age 77 and almost 78, he is eldest among the American cardinals eligible to be electors.
Statement from the Holy See and the Pontifical Council for the Family
Released Feb. 25, 2013 at 6 a.m. EST, in Vatican City On June 3, 2012, at the Closing Mass of the VII World Meeting of Families in Milan, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, announced to a congregation of approximately one million Catholic faithful that the next international gathering of families would take place in the […]
A brief history of the World Meeting of Families
Overview: Since it began in 1994, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe. This event takes place every three years and is sponsored by the Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Family. The Pontifical Council for the Family: The Pontifical Council for the Family, founded […]
Philadelphia tapped to host World Meeting of Families in 2015, welcoming thousands, maybe a new pope
Global attention will turn to Philadelphia in three years when the city expects to welcome hundreds of thousands of families for the World Meeting of Families -- and possibly the new pope. Archbishop Charles Chaput led a morning press conference Feb. 25 to announce that the Vatican confirmed earlier in the day the long-anticipated selection of Sept. 22-27, 2015 as the date for the gathering of families, Catholic and non-Catholic, from around the world.
What the logo for World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia means
Learn how the distinctive logo contains elements of family, faith and Philadelphia -- the host city for the eighth World Meeting of Families and the first in an American city.
Clerical changes announced
Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia, announces the following appointments effective as noted: RETIREMENT Deacon Philip E. Heaney, Permanent Deacon, Maternity B.V.M. Parish, Philadelphia, effective January 15, 2013 Deacon Thomas J. Horan, Permanent Deacon, Saints Peter and Paul Parish, West Chester, effective January 15, 2013 Deacon Joseph E. Iannucci, Permanent […]
Catholic Charities Appeal launches with goal to ‘transform reality’ via annual fund drive
The reality is, human needs abound in any community. In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia those needs include shelter for those without a home, care for special-needs people, a safe environment for children after school, and many others. Charity – the material outreach of love – can transform those realities and improve the human condition.
Catholics in Archdiocese asked to offer prayers for Pope Benedict, cardinals
The retirement of Pope Benedict XVI and the conclave to elect a new pope will take place in Rome but plans to pray for both are underway in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Top among them is a Mass to be celebrated 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24 for Pope Benedict at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.
Permanent deacons to see changes for ministry, formation in Archdiocese
Permanent deacons are a growing presence in the Church of Philadelphia. Under new rules promulgated by Archbishop Charles Chaput on Feb. 13 and effective March 24, theirs will be a much more visible presence in the future. First, they will be permitted to witness marriages celebrated outside of Mass. Second, they will wear a clerical shirt when performing public duties as deacons outside of a liturgy. Third, the age for entering the deacon formation program will be lowered to 50.