Local News
Cathedral rites on Ash Wednesday to mark start of Lent
Archbishop Nelson Perez will celebrate Mass Feb. 17 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul -- see our link for the livestream -- as Christians around the world begin their 40-day Lenten journey.
Food giveaway draws crowds in ‘moment of evangelization’
Cars and pedestrians lined city streets for a Feb. 6 archdiocesan distribution at a Northeast Philadelphia parish, whose pastor called the event "an invitation to connect with God."
Jews, Christians can learn from their shared Scriptures, say scholars
In a recent talk hosted by Saint Joseph's University, renowned academics Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler discussed what the Bible looks like with and without Jesus -- and how both views can lead to a better understanding of the divine.
Archdiocese names Danielle Heeney new head of special education
The member of St. Monica Parish in South Philadelphia and a well-educated expert will lead efforts at the three archdiocesan schools of special education plus such services in the 17 archdiocesan high schools.
‘Catherine’s Cupboard’ counters hunger at local Catholic university
A pantry at Gwynedd Mercy University is addressing the growing issue of food insecurity on campuses, while helping to create a model for other schools.
Racial healing to come by prayer, Spirit-led action, speaker says
Danielle Brown led a Zoom talk in Philadelphia in which she called on Catholics to follow the model of the early church "to resist racism because it is a block to salvation, not because it is a trendy issue."
Local outreach offers sex trafficking victims new hope
For more than a decade, Sister Kathleen Coll and the team at Dawn's Place have worked to heal exploited women and "honor their human dignity."
Rice Bowl is ‘simple genius’ of the Gospel, says bishop
At the Feb. 4 launch of the annual Lenten initiative, Philadelphia Auxiliary Bishop John McIntyre said the program of prayer, fasting and almsgiving sums up "everything that the Lord Jesus has done for us,” and invites faithful to "do as he has done."
‘Souper Bowl’ tackles hunger amid soaring demand for aid
Football fans are urged to donate one dollar (about the cost of a can of soup) to help area food pantries, including those stocked by archdiocesan Nutritional Development Services.
St. Joseph Sisters’ retreat in Cape May Point to close permanently
Loss of programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the closure of St. Mary's by-the-Sea Retreat House, operating at its beachside location for more than a century.