Local News
School choice vouchers, tax credits touted by Gov. Corbett
Gov. Tom Corbett introduced an education reform package in Pennsylvania Oct. 11 that includes a pilot voucher program and an increase to the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) scholarship program. Corbett, a former teacher, said at a press conference in York that the focus in education reform needs to be “child, parent, teacher … and just in that order.”
Proposed legislation would increase school choice
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett is expected to propose wide-ranging school reform legislation as early as Oct. 11 which would also include school choice legislation in the form of an increase in the Educational Incentive Tax Credit (EITC) and vouchers which could be spent at any school by parents or guardians of children who attend targeted low-performing public schools, many of which are within the City of Philadelphia.
St. Cecilia Parish celebrates 100th anniversary
When St. Cecilia Parish was founded a century ago, there really weren’t many Catholics in the Fox Chase section of Philadelphia; it was mostly German Protestants, and for that reason its boundaries extended well into Montgomery County. Today it is one of the largest parishes in the city; and although the parish footprint is smaller, […]
Schools invited to compete for grants from Beneficial Bank Foundation
Beneficial Bank, the oldest and largest bank headquartered in Philadelphia, which has historically conducted programs aimed at schools, has announced “The Beneficial Foundation School Challenge,” which will provide area schools an opportunity to compete for grants to fund education improvement grants. Funds will be awarded to schools whose students develop a project concept that will […]
Archdiocesan centers offer more than just meals for seniors
The four Senior Community Centers in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are a welcome place to come for a meal, and the opportunity to share time with others. The Senior Community Centers, however, offer much more to the 400 people they serve each day. The Senior Community Centers give those 60 years old and up an opportunity to engage in recreational activities, learn about health and nutrition, and understand aging issues while meeting their neighbors. They are vibrant and alive with caring staff, and the services they provide are free.
Deacon Day to be marked Oct. 8
Oct. 8, Deacon Day, will mark the 30th anniversary of the permanent diaconate in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Sixteen Hispanic men were the first ordained in 1971; the following year six African-American men joined their ranks. Just three decades later, the Church of Philadelphia can boast 268 permanent deacons; 207 are active in the Archdiocese, 11 are externs serving in another diocese, 45 are retired, three are inactive due to illness and two are members of religious orders.
After the flood … service
Why would 19 people show up at church on a Sunday wearing jeans, old shirts, gloves and big boots? Because they know what they’re doing. On Sept. 11, a crew of volunteers gathered at St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish in Yardley to — for the fourth time in six years —travel into flood-ravaged Yardley borough to help homeowners mop up and clean out.
Phillies phever!
On Sept. 23, students at SS. Simon and Jude School in West Chester celebrated the Phillies playoff berth by sporting Phillies attire for the day.
Archbishop of Prague visits St. John Neumann Shrine, St. Peter the Apostle School
It really was appropriate. When Archbishop Charles Chaput and Cardinal Justin Rigali accompanied Archbishop Dominik Duka of Prague to the shrine of his countryman, St. John Neumann, on Sept. 22, the first stop was at adjacent St. Peter the Apostle School, because Philadelphia’s first saint is considered a father of Catholic education in light of the many schools founded while he was bishop. There the children enthusiastically welcomed the visitors.
Archbishop Chaput rededicates, blesses renovated St. Bede Church
In a way, when Archbishop Chaput visited St. Bede the Venerable Parish in Holland Sept. 24 to consecrate the renovated church, he was stepping into Philadelphia history.