News
Prominent Chinese Catholics warn against overreaction to cross removals
"Whatever those in power do, their first question now is how they can best serve their own interests, rather than socialism or any common purpose," Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, secretary of the Vatican's Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, told the ninth European Catholic China Colloquium in mid-September.
Church beatifies South African teacher killed for resisting witchcraft
Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, said during the beatification Mass that Blessed Daswa "gave historic witness to the Gospel, even to the shedding of blood" and that "from now on will be called 'blessed.'"
Cardinal, other religious leaders advocate for criminal justice reform
Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington joined with other Christian leaders Sept. 11 to advocate for a criminal justice system that "aids those who have paid their debt (to society) and are ready to rejoin us."
Pope has high hopes for his ‘mission’ to Cuba-U.S., asks for prayers
He said while the main purpose of his 10th apostolic journey abroad, Sept. 19-28, was to attend the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, he also highlighted his planned visit to the United Nations in New York as it marked its 70th anniversary.
Philadelphians among couples to attend bishops’ synod in Rome
Catherine and Anthony Witczak of Philadelphia, leaders in the Worldwide Marriage Encounter, were appointed by Pope Francis to join the synod that will debate family issues in the church, in October.
The pope and ‘the queen’ will lift souls at festival
Aretha Franklin, the "queen of soul," will belt out quintessentially American music with a slate of entertainers before Pope Francis at the Festival of Families in Philadelphia.
New USA Catholic Church app offers coverage of papal visit
The official app "brings together information from all Catholic sources: parishes, dioceses, the U.S. bishops and even the Vatican," said a Sept. 15 announcement.
Tickets for parishioners begin arriving at parishes
Representatives of archdiocesan parishes stopped into the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center Monday, Sept. 14 to pick up tickets to public papal events.
One-day passes allow World Meeting access for selected sessions
Registration for the four-day World Meeting of Families may be closed, but people are invited to review the sessions and buy one-day passes to join in the congress.
Shocker at Mass: Family learns they’re going to meet the pope
The Bowes family of St. Christopher Parish in Northeast Philadelphia was surprised learn at Sunday Mass that they’ve been chosen to greet Pope Francis when he arrives in the city Sept. 26.