News
1,162 Catholics Enter Local Church This Year, Up 62% in a Year
The dramatic rise in new Catholics receiving baptism and the other sacraments of Christian initiation this Easter is nearly double that of 10 years ago, especially among young adults.
St. Francis’ Mission Lives on in Local Parishes, Ministries
In this Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi, the saint’s charisms of prayer and service are active in parishes named for him and in several organizations that serve the marginalized and care for creation.
All-Catholic Orchestra Performs Composition by One of its Alums
The annual concert held last month featured 60 musicians from local Catholic high schools. They presented a piece by professional composer Natalie Dolan, who played in the orchestra from 2016 to 2019.
Korey Francis Follows Pa. State Title With Baptism into Catholic Church
The junior at Msgr. Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast High School and PCL boys’ basketball MVP led his team to their first PIAA championship while preparing to become Catholic through his school’s OCIA program.
Art of Jesus’ Death, Resurrection Leaves Parishioners ‘Awestruck’
A pair of brothers and their friends employed model-building skills to create an artistic tableau of five scenes capturing the events of Holy Week and Easter at Queen of Peace Parish in Ardsley.
Catholic Teacher Seeks Life-Saving Gift of Living Kidney Donor
Christina Behan, who teaches at Queen of Angels Catholic School in Willow Grove, leans on the power of prayer and good will from family, friends, strangers, and young students as she awaits a kidney transplant.
Area’s Catholic, Jewish Teens Become Friends in Faith
Pope John Paul II High School in Royersford and Barrack Hebrew Academy in Bryn Mawr continued a decades-long Catholic-Jewish dialogue that helps students grow in understanding of one another.
Bishop Shanahan Announces New Varsity Girls’ Volleyball Head Coach
Bishop Shanahan High School announced Peggy Evans as its new varsity girls’ volleyball head coach, with her tenure set to begin in the Fall 2026 season.
Deacons Hear One of Their Own Speak of Serving Those With Mental Illness
Deacon Ed Shoener, whose own daughter died by suicide, told a gathering of permanent deacons how to minister to the 20% of parishioners struggling with mental health issues.
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez Appoints Reverend Eric J. Banecker as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Father Banecker, currently Pastor of Saint Mary Magdalen Parish in Media, will succeed Father Philip G. Bochanski as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. The appointment takes effect June 15th.