Local News
A family brought together by God
By Lou BaldwinSpecial to The CS&T It was what they call an unplanned pregnancy. “Jane” was in her late teens and unmarried with a baby on the way. The best thing, she thought, was to have an abortion. But she kept putting it off; maybe part of her was repulsed by the idea. Finally, in […]
A wrapping Christmas ‘elf’
By Christie L. ChicoineCS&T Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD – As a Santa’s helper, 18-year-old Julia McGrath is all set for the December duties and festivities that accompany the archdiocesan-sponsored Operation Santa Claus: collecting toys, cutting reams of wrapping paper, unraveling spools of curling ribbon, sorting, wrapping, bagging, boxing and delivering presents to children in need. A […]
Couple are ‘heart and soul’ of parish
By Lou BaldwinSpecial to The CS&T We really shouldn’t be writing about Patrick and Mary Ann Purcell. They never did anything that great and there are so many other people we could write about. That’s what they both say, but you be the judge. The Purcells, both 82, have been the heart and soul of […]
Beneficial’s president receives Barry Award
By Lou BaldwinSpecial to The CS&T As the recipient of the American Catholic Historical Society’s John Barry Award at the Union League of Philadelphia Nov. 20, Gerard P. Cuddy joins a distinguished list of presidents of Beneficial Bank who have been similarly honored. Former presidents George Knight, Joseph McLaughlin and John Gallagher also received the […]
The business of devotion
By Lou BaldwinSpecial to The CS&T EXTON – Jim Dibrino, 62, a member of SS. Philip and James Parish in Exton, changed careers in midlife. After a quarter-century as an information technology executive with SunGard Systems, a few years ago he struck out on his own. First he did consulting work and then opened the […]
Doing God’s work as a ‘fisher of women’
By Lou BaldwinSpecial to The CS&T Jesus deputized His apostles as “fishers of men.” Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth Michele Vincent Fisher thinks of herself as a “fisher of women.” She’s the national vocations director for her congregation and brings obvious joy to her ministry, loving every minute of it. Sister Michele, who […]
Sharing others’ sorrow is privilege
By Christie L. ChicoineCS&T Staff Writer CHELTENHAM – Annette Foley, the bereavement ministry coordinator at Presentation B.V.M. Parish in Cheltenham, contemplates the crucifixion as she consoles those who are grieving. “As a Catholic, I look at the crucifixion and the promises of Jesus,” she said. “I know that what He suffered for us was not […]
Working to find the face of Christ
By Lou BaldwinSpecial to The CS&T Sister Felice Marie Long of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary entered her congregation 51 years ago and spent the first 35 years of her ministry teaching in schools, mostly in the upper grades in Philadelphia and the suburbs. But she slowly came to realize that […]
Making rosaries, ‘working for our Lady’
By Christie L. ChicoineCS&T Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD – Samuel Forlano of Holy Cross Parish in Springfield, Delaware County, has crafted 6,000 rosaries in the past 66 years. He said it takes him about two hours to make a rosary from straight wire and about 15 minutes to construct one from cord. “The satisfaction that I […]
Nurse heeds calling to bring care to needy
By Arlene EdmondsSpecial to The CS&T Registered nurse Theresa Conejo of Bensalem believes she is called to bring medical care to others. Even though she is part of the “floating pool” of nurses at Nazareth Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia and has worked as a nurse for 25 years, Conejo spends much of her free time […]