Local News
PCC praises Pa. task force’s report on child protection laws
The Task Force on Child Protection released its report recommending several changes to existing state laws governing child abuse Nov. 27 in Harrisburg, and the policy arm of Pennsylvania’s Catholic bishops was quick to praise the task force’s work. In the wake of the child sex abuse scandal that resulted in the conviction last year of former Penn State University athletic director Jerry Sandusky, the 11-member panel was created by Gov. Tom Corbett and the General Assembly to examine the state’s laws and procedures designed to protect children from abuse.
Accepting award, Father Byron calls for national service program
Father William Byron, S.J., accepted the Barry Award from the American Catholic Historical Society Nov. 16. Cicero said it best. “The first law of history is to not dare to tell a lie and not fear to tell the truth.” Pope Leo XIII quoted this in 1881 when he opened the Vatican Archives for scholarly research. The American Catholic Historical Society was founded in Philadelphia three years later and has striven to be true to this dictum ever since. Rodger Van Allen, the society’s 52nd president, also made reference to this famous quote at its annual Commodore John Barry Award Dinner held Nov. 16 at the Union League of Philadelphia.
New website promotes Catholic adoptions in Pa.
Catholic social service agencies across Pennsylvania have teamed up to launch AdoptionPa.org, a website that connects mothers and families with a Catholic adoption agency in their area and also offers encouragement and support to those who experience unintended pregnancies. “A statewide website that features each Catholic diocesan adoption program allows birth parents to have a one-stop […]
Cabrini College, Catholic Social Services bring Thanksgiving feasts to 280 families
Cabrini College and Catholic Social Services helped make festive Thanksgiving feasts for 280 families in Montgomery County by donating 1,289 pounds of turkeys and all the trimmings – including fresh produce and baked goods – to CSS’ emergency food cupboard in Norristown Nov. 20.
African American Catholics celebrate faith, family, community
The theme was “It’s a Family Affair: Praising Loving and Living 2012” when about 200 African American Catholics and their friends gathered joyfully for the Sixth Annual Philadelphia Peter Claver Award Banquet held Nov. 18th at the Drexelbrook in Drexel Hill. Sponsoring the gala were the Knights of Peter Claver and the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, and the principal honoree was Father Stephen Thorne, pastor of St. Martin de Porres Parish, Philadelphia.
Catholic Life Congress helps 700 people share their faith with others
In a message to the more than 700 teachers and catechists who attended Catholic Life Congress Nov. 17, Archbishop Charles Chaput said, “The Second Vatican Council, which began its work exactly 50 years ago this fall, reminded us that Jesus founded His Church to be a lumen gentium – a ‘light to the nations.’ At baptism each of us becomes part of that light. Nobody can really follow Jesus Christ without also preaching and teaching Christ to the world around us. “As we grow, it becomes our task to form our hearts and minds in the light of God’s truth, and to bring other people to believe in Him.”
Catholics in Archdiocese reach out, give much to victims of Superstorm Sandy
Hurricane Sandy, which struck the East Coast during the last week of October, may have been mostly hype in Philadelphia but it was absolutely devastating elsewhere. Especially hard-hit were neighbors in New Jersey and New York, and also a serious matter in places like Bucks County that experienced extended power outages. Here in the Archdiocese […]
NDS wins $12K food grant by ConAgra Foods
A major American food producer recognized the exceptional service provided by Nutritional Development Services (NDS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. ConAgra Foods awarded NDS a Nourish Our Community grant of $12,500 Nov. 13. The money will help NDS buy food to stock the 35 food cupboards it supports in the Philadelphia region, according to NDS spokesperson Anne Ayella.
Priest projections, study of parish life undergird parish planning
Given current trends, somewhere between 2020 and 2025 the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will have more parishes than it has available priests. That fact in itself goes a long way toward explaining why there will be parish consolidations as part of the ongoing Archdiocesan Strategic Planning process.
Legal actions win stay of execution for Pa. inmate
Hubert Lester Michael Jr., who sits on death row in a Pennsylvania prison, lost one of his last chances to avoid the death penalty Nov. 7 when the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons voted unanimously to reject his petition for clemency. But the next day a federal court issued a stay of the execution.