Local News

St. Isidore parishioner helps spread Hispanic devotion to Church

By JIM GAUGERSpecial to The CS&T Quakertown – Joselito Gonzalez is a project scientist at Merck and Co. in West Point. “I am basically a chemist,” he explained. “Our group supports chemical laboratories around the world, especially project investigation in Latin America.” Gonzalez, who was born in Puerto Rico, obtained his degree in chemistry at […]

Promoting self-awareness, leadership in girls

By Lou BaldwinSpecial to The CS&T PHILADELPHIA GRANT – Honor Blackburn loves working with kids, and that’s a good thing. Running a Catholic Social Service (CSS)-sponsored Beacon Program after school at St. Martin de Porres Interparochial School in Germantown requires empathy with young people. “I feel like it is family there, and I want to […]

‘Dear Judge, thank you for saving my life’

By Lou BaldwinSpecial to The CS&T PHILADELPHIA – Judge Kevin M. Dougherty, the Administrative Judge for the Juvenile spanision of Philadelphia Family Court, was practically born into the juvenile court system. For 32 years his dad was a court crier for Family Court in the same Logan Square courthouse where he now presides, and as […]

When the Holy Spirit takes over

By Lou BaldwinSpecial to The CS&T YARDLEY – For Gloria Coyne, the way to the Father and the Son is through the Spirit. “When I pray in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit takes over,” said Coyne, who is the archdiocesan liaison to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, which held its annual conference at the Valley Forge […]

Retired judge stays active in his parish

By Lou BaldwinSpecial to The CS&T CHESTNUT HILL – Outdoor Stations of the Cross on Good Friday are a beloved tradition for Chestnut Hill’s Our Mother of Consolation Parish, and for the past 30 years Judge Armand Della Porta has been the organizer. Next year he will be ceding this leadership to others, but at […]

Shaping clay into accolades

By George GregorySpecial to the CS&T MALVERN – When Malvern Preparatory School senior Kevin Bogan started high school, he never imagined having three of his own creations in a nationally renowned ceramics exhibit. But God moves in mysterious ways as Bogan has learned during his secondary education. Three of his pieces will be displayed at […]

Cancer survivor received ‘mini-miracle’

By Lou BaldwinSpecial to The CS&T PENNDEL – “God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform,” William Cowper wrote more than two centuries ago. If one has what is diagnosed as a terminal illness and after prayer it disappears, it’s more than reasonable to assume the miraculous. Now, if one has been diagnosed […]

Business and flying, with God at her side

By George GregorySpecial to The CS&T COATESVILLE – Barbara Travaglini has led an extraordinary life. An author and columnist who has twice been recipient of papal honors, the parishioner of St. Joseph Parish in Downingtown also earned her private pilot’s license more than 30 years ago – when it was uncommon for women to do […]

Teen’s service earns national honor

By Nadia Maria SmithCS&T Staff Writer WEST GROVE – Eighth-grader Ryan Wiesenberg of Assumption B.V.M. School in West Grove knows a thing or two about service. Ryan was recently awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award – a national award that recognizes and honors Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage […]

Parade director proud of faith, Irish heritage

By Sister Kathleen Leary, S.S.J.Special to The CS&T BROOMALL – Michael Bradley, director and past president of the St. Patrick’s Day Observance Association, is proud of the theme of this year’s parade: “St. Patrick, lead us to Peace and Prosperity.” “The marchers and floats will be honoring our fallen police and all those struggling in […]