News

Cathedral hosts Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with orchestra, chorus

More than 100 voices and a full orchestra will bring the masterpiece with its iconic "Ode to Joy" to life in the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul on Sunday, March 18.

Even when people reject God, his love is never lacking, pope says

"Sin is the way that we distance ourselves from him. Yet that does not mean that God distances himself from us," he said at a Lenten penance service.

Irish bishops call abortion referendum proposal ‘shocking’

The government announced March 8 plans to hold a referendum on the constitutional article, which guarantees the equal right to life of the child with due regard to the life of the mother. The poll is expected to be held in May.

Confessors should seek to bring penitents closer to Jesus, pope says

The pope spoke to hundreds of confessors and other participants attending an annual course on the sacrament of reconciliation, sponsored by the Apostolic Penitentiary, a Vatican court that handles issues related to the absolution of sin.

Pope to visit Baltic states in September, Vatican announces

Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said the pope will visit five cities during the Sept. 22-25 trip, including Vilnius and Kaunas in Lithuania; Riga and Aglona in Latvia; and Tallinn, Estonia.

Nebraska Knights join effort to help persecuted Christians in Iraq, Syria

From a town of just over 900 people, a Knights of Columbus council and its 162 members hope to have a big impact halfway around the world.

Deacon Arthur McGuire, 82, dies; served at St. Francis, Springfield

The permanent deacon of the Philadelphia Archdiocese was ordained in 1997 and served his Delaware County parish for 20 years until his retirement last year. He had led his own business, McGuire Publications.

Sister Laureen Discher, 98, dies after 80 years of religious service

The I.H.M. sister originally from St. Martin of Tours Parish in Philadelphia taught in archdiocesan schools and in Peru before serving for many years at Villa Maria House of Studies, Immaculata.

Celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday at St. Stanislaus

The parish in Lansdale will host a celebration including a holy hour with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, confessions and singing of the Divine Mercy Chaplet on Sunday, April 8.

Mass for St. Gianna coming to Nativity of Our Lord Parish

This year’s feast day Mass for St. Gianna Beretta Molla will be celebrated Thursday, April 26 at 7 p.m., preceded by a rosary at 6:30 p.m., at the parish in Warminster.