News
Memoir recalls bishop writing, delivering Kennedy eulogy
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Auxiliary Bishop Philip Hannan of Washington was a close friend and confidant of President John F. Kennedy, but he had kept that friendship secret. Then he was called upon to deliver the eulogy at the funeral Mass for the country's first Catholic president, killed by an assassin in Dallas Nov. 22, 1963. "My own grieving ... would have to wait," wrote then-retired New Orleans Archbishop Hannan in his 2010 memoir. "First lady Jacqueline Kennedy had asked that I deliver the eulogy for her husband -- and my friend."
Vatican, Google team up to bring ancient Christian catacombs to light
Using advanced laser techniques, restorers have uncovered vivid late fourth-century frescoes inside a Roman complex of early Christian tombs depicting Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and SS. Peter and Paul accompanying Christians into the afterlife. Jesus' face resembles portraits of the Emperor Constantine, who legalized Christian worship exactly 1,700 years ago.
Washington priest recalls narrating Kennedy’s funeral Mass on radio
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- At 82, Msgr. Leonard Hurley still has a distinctive speaking style and ad-libs easily, qualities that served him well 50 years ago when he narrated President John F. Kennedy's funeral Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington for a worldwide TV and radio audience.
La Salle U honors top IT exec of Philadelphia Archdiocese
La Salle University honored Franz Fruehwald, chief information officer for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and a La Salle alumnus, with its 10th annual IT Leadership Award at a ceremony Nov. 10.
Notre Dame professor to present lecture at Gesu Church
John McGreevy, dean of arts and letters at the University of Notre Dame, will present a lecture, “The Gesu, St. Joseph’s Prep, and Pope Francis: Notes Toward a More Global Catholic History,” Monday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. in the Church of the Gesu, 18th and Stiles streets in North Philadelphia. The lecture is part […]
Veterans honored at Cheltenham school assembly, lunch
Presentation B.V.M. School in Cheltenham invited all veterans of various branches of the armed forces to join in a prayerful celebration of Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11. The entire school community offered thoughtful words, prayers and songs of thanks to approximately 20 veterans who attended the liturgy at Presentation B.V.M. Church. These special guests […]
Vietnamese bombing survivor came from war, now preaches peace
The little girl burned in a napalm bomb attack during the Vietnam War, whose photograph became famous, now is a wife and mother who speaks of peace and forgiveness. Her message reached even the man responsible for the bombing run, himself tortured with guilt until he sought reconciliation.
Egyptian university hoping to restart stalled talks with Vatican
CAIRO (CNS) -- Officials at Egypt's Al-Azhar University said they are eagerly awaiting a message from the Vatican that could jump-start their stalled talks. Their dialogue faltered and was eventually suspended altogether by Al-Azhar in 2011 after a series of remarks made by now-retired Pope Benedict XVI.
Mass graves, no food: Church aid workers see great needs in Philippines
A team of disaster assessors found people who had had very little to eat nine days after Super Typhoon Haiyan struck. An aid worker said along with 90 percent of the houses in one area swept away by the storm, "all the food supplies were washed away, all the nonfood items, like blankets, mosquito nets, everything is just gone."
Morrisville parishioners wrote the book on Lectio Divina prayer
A group at St. John the Evangelist Parish so enjoyed the ancient practice of Bible-based meditative prayer that they wrote a book, "Conversations with Our Father: Prayers from Heart to Heart." At St. John's, Lectio Divina begins a conversation with God and not just between the individual and God. It is a shared experience with the group.