News
Wood cruises past the Prep, 42-7
It was only one moment, but it summed up the undisputable reality of what was occurring. Desmon Peoples, one of many terrific football players at Archbishop Wood High School, had busted loose and was headed toward the end zone with not a defender in sight. As he cradled the pigskin in his right hand, he […]
Bishops aim to mobilize Catholics to guard consciences on contraception
The U.S. bishops are working to mobilize Catholics across the country to tell the Obama administration that contraception and sterilization do not constitute preventive care for women and must not be mandated as part of health reform. Through a new website at www.usccb.org/conscience, the bishops hope to generate thousands of comments to the Department of Health and Human Services about its Aug. 1 proposal that would require nearly all employers to provide sterilization and all FDA-approved contraceptives, including some that can cause an abortion, at no cost to women covered by their health insurance plans.
CALL document answers Pope’s call to make societies, economies more just
A group of U.S. Catholic Latino business leaders presented Vatican officials detailed reflections on how laypeople can fulfill Pope Benedict XVI's call to make today's societies and economies more just.
Fight against federal law will undermine marriage, says Archbishop Dolan
New York Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, president of the U.S. bishops' conference, told President Barack Obama in a Sept. 20 letter that his administration's fight against the Defense of Marriage Act will undermine marriage and create a serious breach of church-state relations.
Catholic, other groups mourn executions of Georgia, Texas inmates
Catholic and other groups mourned the executions Sept. 21 of Troy Davis in Georgia and of Lawrence Brewer in Texas.
In land of Martin Luther, Pope prays for Christian unity
Visiting the land of Martin Luther, Pope Benedict XVI prayed for Christian unity and told Lutheran leaders that both secularization and Christian fundamentalism pose challenges to ecumenism today. "God is increasingly being driven out of our society, and the history of revelation that Scripture recounts to us seems locked into an ever remote past. Are we to yield to the pressure of secularization and become modern by watering down the faith?" the Pope said in a meeting Sept. 23 with 15 representatives of the German Evangelical Church Council.
New head of Black Catholics Office looks to get creative
The new leader of the archdiocesan Office for Black Catholics wants to evangelize the African-American community in creative ways. “People respond to what attracts them, especially in the black community,” said Bill Bradley.
High school baseball coach arrested
A Catholic high school baseball coach has been arrested in Philadelphia on nine charges including assault and corrupting the morals of a minor. Lou Spadaccini, 37, coached at SS. John Neumann Maria Goretti High School in South Philadelphia since 1995 as an assistant, and was head coach since 2006. The South Philadelphia resident was […]
Teachers ratify new contract
By Elena Perri The Secondary School System of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Association of Catholic School Teachers, Local 1776 have reached an agreement, and the contract was ratified today by high school lay teachers in the 17 archdiocesan high schools. Classes will resume tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 19. The new contract will give teachers […]
Mater Dolorosa Parish celebrates centennial
Mater Dolorosa, in the Frankford section of Philadelphia, observed its centennial Sept. 18 with a Mass celebrated by Philadelphia’s new Archbishop, Charles Chaput. It was officially founded as an Italian personal parish in 1911, but its history as a worshipping community traces back to 1908.