Local News

NE Phila. parishioners celebrate 100 years of ‘giving their hearts’ to community

For the past century, members of St. Katherine of Siena Parish have been "making the church present in their little part of the world," said Archbishop Nelson Pérez during an April 24 anniversary Mass.

Speaking out, seeking dialogue key to countering antisemitism, says local scholar

Holocaust Remembrance Day is a time to examine Christian attitudes towards Jews, while pursuing "opportunities to be enriched by the spiritual treasures" of Judaism, said Philip Cunningham of Saint Joseph's University.

Pinwheel garden blooms with hope in preventing child abuse

Students at Our Lady of Mercy Regional Catholic School in Maple Glen created a display of blue pinwheels to mark National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and to celebrate "a positive circle of love and support."

Outreach workers ‘break stigma, bring hope’ to those in addiction

Staff from archdiocesan Catholic Social Services joined organizers of a multifaceted humanitarian effort April 23 at "ground zero" of Philadelphia's opioid crisis -- and "encountered Jesus" in the process.

Persons with disabilities ‘help others become whole,’ says archbishop

The church and the world are restored through the “very powerful, very transformative” love found in the hearts of those with physical or intellectual challenges, said Archbishop Nelson Pérez at an April 24 Mass.

Victoria’s Veselka turns anguish into action for Ukrainian refugees

Named for her late infant daughter and the Ukrainian word for "rainbow," the relief effort launched by Dr. Anna Wojciechowski shows "God's imprint on our heart."

Sign of peace makes return at Masses this weekend

While always an option during the Communion Rite at Mass, the familiar handshake among worshipers was omitted during the COVID pandemic, but can return April 24-25.

Family Festival aims to build up families post-pandemic

“It’s been a rough couple of years” for families, said the organizer of the archdiocesan all-day festival April 30 featuring prayer, fun, good music and food, all to rekindle bonds between families.

St. John’s, Manayunk sets 190th parish jubilee celebration

Marking almost two centuries as the mother church of the Manayunk area, the Philadelphia parish will host an April 30 Mass with Archbishop Perez and a dinner reception to follow in the church hall that welcomed waves of immigrant Catholics.

Program helps Catholic schools to ‘run like business, on a mission’

An archdiocesan initiative is training principals in core accounting and finance skills so they can balance budgets and visions for the future.