News
Brand new ballgame: 72 men start lives as seminarians in Rome
Seventy two young men recently entered the Pontifical North American seminary in Rome, where they are expected set aside secular values and dedicate themselves in serving the poor and oppressed. .
Prisoners make chair Pope Francis will use in visit
When the pope stops to speak with inmates and their families at Philadelphia's Curran-Fromhold jail, he'll use a chair the men built in the prison shop.
Although of many styles, Catholic schools face similar challenges
Some Catholic schools are prosperous and flourish through parental involvement. Others struggle as even teachers and nuns wear many hats to keep the classrooms and the buildings operating.
Charismatics plan Mass and rally as pope comes to city
Organizers expect up to 5,000 Catholic Charismatics from around the world will attend their event in South Philadelphia on the day when Pope Francis arrives here.
From flush to floundering, parish finances run the gamut
The American Parish series looks at how parishes across the U.S., including one in New Jersey, handle collections, deficits and new initiatives to keep the parish going.
Across the U.S., parish life is changing
Pope Francis won't have time on his U.S. visit in September to stop at churches representing a cross-section of Catholic parishes. But he might read the American Parish series starting today, which over three years examined several parishes.
Voting Rights Act at 50: Difficult questions remain on who gets to vote
Current right-to-vote laws vary from state to state. They can be arbitrary, depending on voting history and geographical boundaries. Legislation pending in Congress may change that.
Plight of Christians fleeing Iraq shakes archbishop’s faith
A Chaldean Catholic leader in Iraq inwardly quarrels with God over the flight of 100,000 Christians and others. Still, the archbishop sees providence working among the people.
Maryland group will walk to Philadelphia for papal Mass
A priest and an editor of the Baltimore Catholic newspaper will lead 20 pilgrims from the archdiocese's basilica in a 104-mile pilgrimage for the Sept. 27 Mass with Pope Francis.
Ancient texts of biblical world on exhibit at Penn Museum
Sumerian clay tablets, a papyrus fragment, illustrated manuscripts and early printed Bibles are on display at Penn, in time for the World Meeting of Families and Pope Francis' visit.