Local News
Two social service offices to close in Archdiocese; CSS to partner with parishes
Archdiocesan Catholic Social Services (CSS) announced Jan. 4 a restructuring of its Community-Based Services division that will result in fewer sites operated directly by CSS and place a greater emphasis on parish-based services. The new model features a strong emphasis on developing partnerships with successful parish outreach programs throughout the region, a viable alternative approach that leverages CSS support of grass-roots local efforts.
CSS to close 2 social service offices in Archdiocese
Catholic Social Services (CSS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will close two of its locations in Chester and Delaware counties, the Archdiocese announced, Friday, Jan. 4. The plan affects the Community-Based Services division of CSS, which operates outreach sites in each county. Of the division’s 317 full-time employees, 13 were laid off as a result of the restructuring.
Montgomery County’s Catholic, civic agencies volunteer to make Christmas bright for families
Families in Montgomery County got a big lift just before Christmas, thanks to the efforts of volunteers and staff of Catholic Social Services’ Family Service Center in Norristown, the county seat. The St. Nicholas Store at the center gave out donated gifts to 140 families and 331 children, with another 49 families receiving food from the center’s food cupboard, for two hours last Thursday evening, Dec. 20.
Bicycling Santas bring gifts to foster children served by Catholic Social Services
Santa Claus arrived early Friday, Dec. 21 with Christmas presents for little boys and girls, at perhaps an unaccustomed stop: the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center in Philadelphia. In this case, the Santa suit was donned by real estate developer Carl Dranoff, as he led a horse-drawn carriage loaded with more than 100 gifts through center city.
Catholic author taps fond memories of orphanage, now captures finest Christmas carols
Ron Clancy loves Christmas and most of all Christmas music, especially the fine old carols that have been passed down from generation to generation. You could call him a modern day Scrooge, who after seeing the light, “holds Christmas in his heart and tries to keep it all the year.” Except in this case, Ron was not an old man when he received his epiphany.
Msgr. Wendrychowicz, pastor of St. Agnes in Sellersville, dies
Msgr. John B. Wendrychowicz Msgr. John B. Wendrychowicz, pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Sellersville, died Dec. 20 at Villa St. Joseph, Darby. The reception of the body will be held at St Agnes Church on Wednesday, Dec. 26 at 4 p.m., followed by a viewing. A parish Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m. […]
Parishes to join in moment of remembrance for victims of Sandy Hook tragedy
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput has asked all 256 parishes in the five-county Archdiocese of Philadelphia to honor a day of mourning Dec. 21 in the wake of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School Dec. 14. Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy called for the day of mourning, and will observe a moment of silence followed […]
Annual Archbishop’s Christmas Benefit treats 400 needy children to fun party
“I’m never ready for Christmas until I do this,” said Douglas Dunn, who has played Santa Claus for the past 17 years at the Archbishop's Christmas Benefit for Children Dec. 18. “For me, it is just to see the joy and happiness of the children. I try to visit every child in the room.” That’s a tall order, considering there were 400 children at the party representing the 16,000 children who benefit during the year from residential and community-based programs offered by archdiocesan Catholic Social Services.
Mothers and daughters share tea, learn about fertility
The Blessed Mother must have been smiling as the special mother-daughter fertility appreciation program took place at Immaculate Conception Parish in Jenkintown on Nov. 11. The Mother-Daughter Tea drew more than 85 participants and was well-attended by girls between the ages of 10 to 14 in the company of their mothers, aunts, grandmothers and the special women in their lives.
Catholics walk, pray, celebrate love for Our Lady of Guadalupe on her feast
Spanish-speaking Catholics poured out their love for Our Lady of Guadalupe throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia this week. For the Tuesday, Dec. 11 vigil preceding our Lady’s feast on Dec. 12, hundreds of Latino pilgrims from Philadelphia parishes began to walk in a procession as early as 4 p.m. from their homes to the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in center city for a Mass and celebration.