Local News
Little things matter a lot
Claire McCloskey died suddenly April 20, after the Catholic Standard & Times went to press. Her viewing will be at St. Cecilia Church, 535 Rhawn St., Saturday, April 24 at 9:30 a.m. Her funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. By Lou BaldwinSpecial to The CS&T PHILADELPHIA – Sometimes it’s just the little things that […]
Joyful DiJulia lives a life of courage
By John KnebelsSpecial to The CS&T HAVERTOWN – Chris DiJulia was born with cerebral palsy. He relies on a wheelchair to get around. Eating food and drinking liquids can be an adventure, and his speech is significantly slurred. Other than that, the 40-year-old parishioner of St. Denis in Havertown is just like anyone else. Well, […]
Her mission has been music
By Lou BaldwinSpecial to The CS&T Over 68 years as a church organist Mary Babin has gotten to see a lot of people in the pews. “I had the best seat in the house, and I met most people by the tops of their heads,” she said. Now, after a 38-year run at Sacred Heart […]
Eagle Scout brings Stations to high school
By Christie L. ChicoineCS&T Staff Writer DREXEL HILL – Refurbishing a set of the Stations of the Cross helped 18-year-old Matthew Ryan earn his Eagle Scout badge. It also served as a reminder to the Monsignor Bonner High School senior of Easter’s salvific message. “Every time I walk by them, I just think of what […]
Near or far, seeing the Gospel up close
By Lou BaldwinSpecial to The CS&T In his senior years a spiritual vocation has gradually replaced the temporal. John Trumbore had a successful career in the advertising industry, and since his retirement in 2000 from Harris, Baio and McCullough he has developed a vocation in the social justice field. He is the father of two […]
Confrontation turns to breakthrough
By Lou BaldwinSpecial to The CS&T Dr. Lester Ruppersberger, a practicing physician in gynecology for 35 years, belongs to a rather exclusive club. “I don’t prescribe contraceptives, and I don’t do sterilizations,” he said. “I’m the only OB/GYN doctor in the entire Archdiocese of Philadelphia who doesn’t. There was one other, but she retired.” It […]
Keeping faith, family and Irish roots as priorities
By Sister Kathleen LearySpecial to The CS&T “It’s a great day for the Irish everyday,” according to Seamus Boyle, the grand marshal of the 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Philadelphia. Whether he is speaking of the motto of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), the theme of the parade, the claddagh ring or his […]
Disability deepens faith, love of God
By Lou BaldwinSpecial to The CS&T One man’s disability is another man’s blessing. Tom Nordeman, who received the annual Margaret Way Hoffner Award from Pennsylvanians for Human Life on Feb. 28, has cerebral palsy. “If it wasn’t for my disability I wouldn’t have the faith and deep love of God that I have now,” he […]
A spiritual journey to North Philly
By Lou BaldwinSpecial to The CS&T A year or so ago Bethany Welch was working for a non-profit think tank in New York as a policy analyst, and the pay was very good. Then she heard Providence Center, a little outreach program at Fourth Street and Lehigh Avenue in North Philadelphia, was looking for an […]
Outreach helps women after prison
By Lou BaldwinSpecial to The CS&T When Sister Virginia Jenkins graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Girls in 1955 and immediately entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, she could reasonably expect a life-long ministry in the classroom – that’s what most St. Joseph Sisters did back then. And it did hold true for […]