News

Retired priest’s owl collection leads to children’s book series

“Izzy the Christmas Owl” is one of Father Alexander Masluk's books, plus a daily series of video posts on Facebook, that the retired-yet-busy archdiocesan priest is using to evangelize creatively through stories, as Jesus did.

Catholic ministries, schools ‘meet kids where they are’ amid mental health crisis

A national call to address depression and anxiety in teens shows there’s plenty of reason for concern – and for hope, say archdiocesan experts and Catholic school educators.

Human rights groups raise alarm over new atrocities in Western Tigray

International observers warned of mass detentions, killings and forced expulsions of ethnic Tigrayans in Ethiopia, as Catholic Church leaders expressed concerns over the detention of priests, nuns and lay Catholics.

Many women fear their voices will be ignored in synod, speakers say

The synod process, which promotes what Pope Francis calls a "synodal church," is calling for change and change can bring fear, said a religious sister and official with the Synod of Bishops during the "Women in Synodality" conference.

Catholic ministry to sailors also idling at Port of Los Angeles

Stella Maris Chapel at one of the world's busiest ports no longer serves dozens of maritime crews from cruise ships and awaiting freighters. Sailors remain on board due to the COVID pandemic and amidst the worldwide supply-chain backup.

New Pew study shows erosion of religion in America

While the survey comparing religious identity since 2007 showed the number of Catholics as a percentage of the U.S. population holding steady, Protestants dropped, "nones" rose and the practice of daily prayer declined.

Decline in vocations is a call to be humble, pope tells Jesuits

The decrease of vocations to religious life, including in the Society of Jesus, is a lesson in "beautiful humiliation" and a reminder that a calling to religious life depends on God, Pope Francis told Jesuits in Greece.

Catholic groups challenge mandate on gender transition procedures

Several Catholic hospitals, a Catholic university and Mercy sisters who run health clinics filed suit in a federal appeals court to a requirement under the Affordable Care Act for performing gender transition procedures, and for insurance to cover them.

Diligent pro-lifer, Sandy Slater, dies

President of the Bucks County Pro-Life Coalition at the time of her death on Dec. 12, Ms. Slater's funeral Mass will be Monday, Dec. 20 at Isidore Church, Quakertown.

Allentown Diocese launches ‘How We Are Catholic’ video series

The videos showcase people, places, history, work and traditions that make up the Catholic family of faith in Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuylkill counties in southeastern Pennsylvania.