News
Two archdiocesan schools win National Blue Ribbon honor
St. Andrew School in Newtown and St. Patrick School in Malvern were selected as 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools during an announcement Sept. 24. The two parish elementary schools were two of 286 schools nationally and 15 schools statewide to be selected for the honor. They were the only Catholic schools in Pennsylvania selected this year.
Father Freeman, longtime Newman chaplain, dies at 65
Father John A. Freeman, 65, a former pastor of St. John Fisher Parish in Boothwyn and former Newman Center chaplain, died Sept. 21. He was Newman chaplain for Bryn Mawr, Haverford and Swarthmore Colleges for 15 years. He also taught on the adjunct faculty of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. He was appointed pastor of St. John Fisher Parish in 2004 and retired for reasons of health in 2011.
What the Catholic Cemeteries arrangement means to the big picture of the archdiocese
While the cemeteries lease with an upfront payment of $53 million will make a dent in the $350 million balance sheet liability, it will not solve it completely. But it is progress. Tim O’Shaughnessy, who joined the archdiocese as Chief Financial Officer early last year, explained where we are and where we have been.
Philadelphia Archdiocese agrees to 60-year management pact for Catholic Cemeteries
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has signed an agreement to outsource management of 13 Catholic cemeteries through a 60-year lease to StoneMor Partners L.P., it was announced Sept. 26. Under the terms of the lease, the cemeteries will remain Catholic in nature and still be owned by the archdiocese. All current full-time employees of the Catholic Cemeteries Office will become StoneMor employees. The lease of the cemeteries is the latest step to address the archdiocese’s financial challenges.
Suspended Philadelphia priest arrested in Maryland for sexual assault of minor
Father Robert L. Brennan, a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia whose priestly faculties were suspended since 2005, has been arrested in Maryland on charges of sexually abusing a Northeast Philadelphia boy between 1998 and 2001. Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams made the announcement at a press conference today, Sept. 26, in Philadelphia.
Philippine bishops call for release of hostages as gunfights rage
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) -- Bishops in southern Philippines have condemned rebels' use of hostages as human shields in gunfights with government troops. The gunfights have escalated since Sept. 9 after hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front fighters reportedly attacked government troops who were securing five coastal districts in Zamboanga.
Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux retires; New Orleans auxiliary is successor
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Sam G. Jacobs of Houma-Thibodaux, La., and appointed as his successor Auxiliary Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of New Orleans.
Pope names Bishop Hebda of Gaylord to be Newark coadjutor archbishop
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Bernard A. Hebda of Gaylord, Mich., 54, to be coadjutor archbishop of Newark, N.J. As coadjutor, he would automatically succeed Newark Archbishop John J. Myers, 72, upon his retirement or death. Canon law requires bishops to turn in their resignation to the pope at age 75.
Family, with help from Catholic shelter, seeks to get back on feet
FORT MEADE, Md. (CNS) -- According to Census Bureau estimates released Sept. 17, there are 46.5 million poor people in the United States. This is the story of one of them.
He used to be poor, but that was long ago
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Contrary to the beliefs of some, it is possible for people who are poor to break out of poverty. Clarence Simmons is one of them. Few people know him as Clarence. "Call me Clay," he says.