Local News
New seminary dean sees hope, renewal
Kelly Bowring, the new dean of the Graduate School of Theology and Program of Catholic Studies at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, wants a return to orthodoxy in Catholic higher education. His recent book, “To Hold and Teach the Catholic Faith,” asserts that post-Vatican II witnessed the dilution, abandonment and in some cases […]
Seminary revamps graduate studies
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary has revised and renamed its religious studies program as part of renewed public interest in Catholic teachings and theology. Combining the academic rigor of accredited programs in theology with courses in ministry and catechesis, the program takes its inspiration from the “new evangelization” of the Church, which calls upon Catholics to […]
New head of Black Catholics Office looks to get creative
The new leader of the archdiocesan Office for Black Catholics wants to evangelize the African-American community in creative ways. “People respond to what attracts them, especially in the black community,” said Bill Bradley.
High school baseball coach arrested
A Catholic high school baseball coach has been arrested in Philadelphia on nine charges including assault and corrupting the morals of a minor. Lou Spadaccini, 37, coached at SS. John Neumann Maria Goretti High School in South Philadelphia since 1995 as an assistant, and was head coach since 2006. The South Philadelphia resident was […]
Teachers ratify new contract
By Elena Perri The Secondary School System of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Association of Catholic School Teachers, Local 1776 have reached an agreement, and the contract was ratified today by high school lay teachers in the 17 archdiocesan high schools. Classes will resume tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 19. The new contract will give teachers […]
Mater Dolorosa Parish celebrates centennial
Mater Dolorosa, in the Frankford section of Philadelphia, observed its centennial Sept. 18 with a Mass celebrated by Philadelphia’s new Archbishop, Charles Chaput. It was officially founded as an Italian personal parish in 1911, but its history as a worshipping community traces back to 1908.
Archdiocesan social services programs singled out for national award
Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS) was one of three national programs singled out to receive the 2011 Catholic Charities USA/Annie E. Casey Family Strengthening Award, which was presented during the Sept. 18-21 Catholic Charities USA Annual Gathering and Poverty Summit held in Fort Worth, Texas.
Level best: Archdiocesan schools adopts Common Core Standards
When elementary and secondary students return to archdiocesan schools next month they will have a new learning program, one which is touted as better at preparing them for 21st-century careers. The Common Core State Standards Initiative is being implemented in archdiocesan elementary and secondary schools in the areas of English language arts and mathematics. Science […]
Two archdiocesan elementary schools recognized with national award
Corpus Christi School (Lansdale, Montgomery County) and Nativity of Our Lord School (Warminster, Bucks County) have been selected by the United States Department of Education as National Blue Ribbon Schools.
SS. Simon and Jude School welcomes new principal
WEST CHESTER — The SS. Simon and Jude parish community announced that Sister Jeannine M. Norton, I.H.M., has been named school principal. Sister Norton has more than 40 years experience in Catholic education, 12 of those as a school principal. Most recently, she worked in the Diocese of Savannah, Ga., serving the last six years […]