Local News
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.
Before conclave, Cardinal Rigali lists qualities cardinals will seek in electing next pope
Philadelphia’s Archbishop Emeritus, Cardinal Justin Rigali, was just as surprised as everyone else by the almost unprecedented Feb. 11 announcement by Pope Benedict XVI that he would resign from the papacy at 8 p.m. Rome time, Feb. 28. "We all know the extraordinary issues he has to face day in and day out," the Cardinal said, "so he very candidly said, ‘I had been thinking about this and I am now convinced the role of successor St. Peter is so involved, I don’t have the strength.’ This was beautiful, because he certainly gave his all in everything that he did.”
Lansdale parish aims to bring back inactive Catholics by listening first
Many Catholics say they “used to be Catholic” or call themselves Catholic but rarely if ever go to church. Reaching out to those inactive Catholics is the goal of “Bridging the Breach,” an evangelization initiative of Corpus Christi Parish in Lansdale that began with its first session Sunday, Feb. 10. Even before that, organizers knew that inactive Catholics had to be invited personally to share their thoughts and feelings about why they no longer practiced their faith.
St. Anne Parish preserving its legendary history at Villanova U’s website
As cemeteries go, St. Anne Cemetery, which is adjacent to St. Anne Church, in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia, is not large. Many if not most of the tombstones have seen their inscriptions obliterated and lost to memory, save that of a dwindling number of descendants, and the written records of the grand old church. That is about to change.