Local News

Letter from Archbishop Chaput on the use of the new English translation of the Roman Missal

November 20, 2011 My brother priests and deacons, My brothers and sisters of the lay faithful, Next Sunday, the First Sunday of Advent, is an historic occasion for Catholics throughout the United States.  After forty-some years, we will celebrate Mass with a revised English translation.  This is a translation of the 2002 third edition of […]

Veterans Day commemorated at Our Lady Help of Christians School

Our Lady Help of Christians School in Abington was honored to have seven veterans, representing all military branches, visit and speak to the children on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11. The day began with a prayer for veterans followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The first-grade class then led the singing of “God Bless America.” […]

St. Monica School students learn Mandarin Chinese

When Victoria Dougherty was preparing to adopt her daughter, Kelly, from Taiwan almost three years ago, she began to learn Mandarin Chinese. “I didn’t want to have a 6-year-old who was unable to communicate with me,” said Dougherty, who with her husband Ted, daughter Kelly, almost 9, and son Teddy, 6, live in Phoenixville and […]

Nutritional Development Services unveils new design of Christmas card

Every year the archdiocesan Nutritional Development Services (NDS) offers a 10-card pack of Christmas cards as a fundraiser for its Community Food Program. The program helps purchase food for area food cupboards and soup kitchens. [hotblock] Every year, a new design is added to the pack. This year’s design is Mary’s Child. It is available […]

Young Hispanics gather at vocation meeting

While some were busy on Friday making a fuss over the significance of the date 11/11/11, a group of about 35 high school age youths from various North and South Philadelphia groups gathered at the Bevilacqua Community center in Kensington on for a vocational evening. The evening consisted of an exhibit from about 15 religious […]

Archbishop Chaput appoints 12 deans, divides archdiocesan regions into deaneries

As part of the ongoing reorganization of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Archbishop Charles Chaput has announced the appointment of 12 deans throughout the Archdiocese. “The role of the deans offers a better means of communication between the Archbishop, the priests and the people,” said Msgr. Arthur E. Rodgers, coordinator for Archdiocesan Planning Initiatives in the […]

St. Anastasia students portray saints on All Saints Day

Second graders at St. Anastasia School in Newtown Square celebrated All Saints Day Nov. 1 with a parade of saints. The students will be making their First Holy Communion next spring.  

St. Martin de Porres Mass: A festive celebration of faith and culture

The 49th annual celebration of the canonization of St. Martin de Porres was celebrated with a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. Nov. 6. The celebration highlighted the gifts of Philadelphia’s African American Catholic community: from the “Heritage Mass” and the singing of Negro Spirituals to the Afrocentric outfits worn by […]

Local Catholics give to Pope’s charities

Catholics in the Philadelphia Archdiocese confirmed their bond with Pope Benedict XVI as they gave $465,891 in this year’s Peter’s Pence collection. Archbishop Charles Chaput received a letter of thanks for the donations on behalf of the pope from Msgr. Jean-Francois Lantheaume, the papal representative for the United States, dated Oct. 31. The annual collection […]

Endow founder speaks about ‘feminine genius’

From a Catholic perspective there are few images that bespeak the dignity of women better than Michelangelo’s Pietà. On the morning of Nov. 10 Terry Polakovic, executive director and co-founder of the international movement Endow (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women) spoke to approximately 40 women at St. Anastasia Hall in Newtown Square […]