News
Pope Francis preaches at Mass for close of Synod of Bishops
Read the pope's homily to conclude the synod in Rome, in which he warns of a “spirituality of illusion” in which people "can walk through the deserts of humanity without seeing what is really there," and in so doing "create other deserts."
Jesus’ disciples are called to lead without lecturing, pope says
Reflecting on the day's Gospel reading, which recalled Jesus' healing of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar from Jericho, Pope Francis said Christ is not content with giving the poor man alms, but preferred to "personally encounter him."
Author to speak on forgiveness by the Amish
St. Maria Goretti Parish will host author Marie Monville, the widow of the man who in 2006 shot 10 girls in an Amish one-room schoolhouse. On Nov. 2 she will explain the Amish community’s response of love after the tragedy.
Catholic Boy Scouts hike ‘God’s Country’ on 2-week retreat
Two young men from Feasterville and North Wales backpacked, climbed, camped and prayed daily in the New Mexico wilderness last summer during a unique scouting retreat.
Synod had difficult moments as it tried to proclaim truth, pope says
At the end of the synod's final working session Oct. 24, Pope Francis was honest about the differences of opinion present among synod participants and about the tone of their discussions sometimes exceeding the bounds of charity. But he framed all those differences as an opportunity for learning.
Synod calls for greater promotion of women’s role in church
If the Catholic Church did more to recognize and promote women's responsibility within the church, it could help their status in societies as well, said the Synod of Bishops on the family.
Synod report highlights pastoral care of society’s marginalized
While they did not grab headlines, the elderly and people with disabilities, openness to life and the plight of migrants and refugees were also on the agenda of the Synod of Bishops on the family.
Synod shows solidarity with people of Middle East, Ukraine, Africa
Basic principles of human dignity are being violated repeatedly in the Middle East as conflict continues, particularly in Syria and Iraq, but also in Jerusalem and other areas of the Holy Land, said members of the Synod of Bishops on the family.
Churches in Manayunk, Fallsington set to close
St. Mary in Philadelphia's Manayunk section and St. Joseph the Worker in Bucks County, both of which previously had become worship sites in merged parishes, will formally close Nov. 1.
Local and global plans laid out for Year of Mercy
An extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy -- described by Pope Francis as "the bridge that connects God and man," will begin Dec. 8 throughout the world. In Philadelphia, the Holy Door will be opened Dec. 13 with Mass at the cathedral.