Local News
North Wales parish marks 25 years, and still growing
Parish names always have a reason. Maybe it is for the patron saint of the founding pastor’s mother, or of a bishop or the Pope, or any one of the titles of the Blessed Virgin. Mary, Mother of the Redeemer in North Wales belongs to the latter category, but in a unique way. Founded in […]
Day of Service marks La Salle’s 150th anniversary
La Salle University continued its 150th anniversary celebration with the LaSallian Day of Service Sept. 29. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of La Salle volunteered their time with civic and social organizations at more than 30 sites in Philadelphia, as well as alumni clubs in Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties. Other sites included Washington, D.C.; […]
La Milagrosa to be sold by Vincentians to benefit order’s retirees
The Congregation of the Mission, also known as the Vincentians, intends to sell Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Chapel and other properties in order to support the retired priests and brothers of the order in Spain, where it is headquartered in Barcelona. Best known in the Hispanic community as La Milagrosa, the chapel is associated with the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul and located just blocks from the cathedral at 1903 Spring Garden St. in Philadelphia. In a statement released Sept. 28, the Archdiocese said it does not own the property and does not have the funds to purchase it from the Vincentians.
Archdiocesan official, Dr. Robert Miller, wins national award for Church research
Dr. Robert Miller, director of planning and research for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will be presented with a prestigious award Oct. 16 for his extraordinary efforts in the area of research on behalf of the Church.
Once a thriving Kensington parish, Ascension to close Oct. 1
Ascension of Our Lord Parish was once among the largest in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It has experienced a dwindling population, with only seven infant baptisms, two marriages and average weekly Mass attendance of 188. The figures are less than half of what they were just four years ago.
Knights of Columbus organize voter registration drives in parishes
In a show of faithful citizenship and with the endorsement of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (PCC), the Pennsylvania State Council of the Knights of Columbus has urged the various local councils throughout the state to conduct nonpartisan voter registration drives in the parishes this month. Under the agreed upon terms, the Knights may not mention specific parties, candidates or issues; they are just signing up new voters or voters changing their registration.
At 100, she goes up and away for her birthday
So there you are coming up on your 100th birthday, and someone asks, “What is the one thing you want most for your birthday?” There happens to be a very good local organization, the Twilight Wish Foundation, that tries to grant such wishes to senior citizens within reason. A few months ago they were visiting […]
Civil suits ‘not best mechanism’ to address abuse, says archdiocese
PHILADELPHIA (CNS) — Philadelphia archdiocesan officials said a new round of civil lawsuits filed Sept. 18 “are not the best mechanism to promote healing in the context of the very private and difficult circumstances of sexual abuse.” “We have not received copies of the cases that the plaintiffs have said they intend to file, so […]
Mercy Health System opens clinic in shopping mall
Malls are one of the greatest modern conveniences. Take Plymouth Meeting Mall. All within a few steps of each other, you can browse at Boscov’s, get a sandwich at Subway or get an MRI at Mercy. You read correctly. Mercy Health System has just opened a spanking new 23,000 square-foot health center in the heart of the mall with all kinds of out-patient services. If you shop ‘til you drop they can probably resuscitate you.
Pastor of Ascension Parish suspended for abuse allegations
Father Michael Chapman, 56, pastor of Ascension of Our Lord Parish in Philadelphia, has been placed on administrative leave by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput following allegations of sexual abuse of minors. The priest was suspended in March 2011 for an alleged violation of the Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s guidelines […]