News
Teacher for 46 years in area schools, Franciscan Sister Clare Marita Pearce dies at 88
Sister Clare Marita Pearce, O.S.F., 88, died July 22 in Assisi House, Aston. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 66 years. Sister Clare Marita (Clare Elaine Pearce) was born in Philadelphia where she was a member of St. Columba Parish in North Philadelphia and a graduate […]
Escaped priest now helps Syrian refugees resettle in British Columbia
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (CNS) -- A priest who escaped from Syria is now helping other Christian refugees flee oppression and resettle in cities in British Columbia. "I know what it's like to be a refugee there," said Father Sarmad Biloues of SS. Peter and Paul Chaldean mission. "They lost everything, even their dignity."
St. Jerome parishioners sit under stars for family movie night
Members of St. Jerome Parish in Northeast Philadelphia gathered on the parish lawn June 17 for the first family movie night of the summer. Parishioners young and old enjoyed a beautiful summer evening of community spirit watching “Wreck-It Ralph.” The movie night was hosted by the parents of St. Jerome School.
Church-run youth programs win grant for effort to stop bullying
Two Out of School Time programs (OST) have won a $10,000 grant to support an anti-bullying campaign. The programs, run by Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, serve 50 students in the summer camps at St. Martin de Porres in North Philadelphia and De Paul School in Germantown.
Rio protesters, barricades, put damper on pope’s well-wishers
RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) — The dream of trying to see Pope Francis up close ended at a police barricade for 74-year-old Odaleia Bastos. “I don’t understand why we can’t get closer,” she said as she argued with police officers. “The population will protect the pope,” she kept telling them. Bastos, like many residents of […]
1808 Society helps Catholics support Church far into the future
The 1808 Society, with its motto “Serving God by Serving One Another,” targets older Catholics who might wish to leave a bequest in their will, set up a charitable trust or charitable gift to benefit the Archdiocese or any of its entities -- perhaps a parish, a school, the Catholic Charities Appeal or a facility for the young or the aged.
Pope says he returns to Latin America as witness of Christian love
RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) -- Pope Francis returned to his native Latin America July 22, asking for open hearts, even after the irrepressible crowds in Brazil made it clear he had them. The way to reach the Brazilian people is through the heart, he told Brazilian officials upon landing in the country, "so let me knock gently at this door. I ask permission to come in and spend this week with you."
State of religious freedom in Pakistan considered ‘dire’
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Panelists at a religious freedom session on Pakistan called for reform of the nation's laws, calling the situation for minorities dire. In June alone, 47 religious minorities were killed in Pakistan, including an 18-year old Christian man tortured to death by police after he was suspected of kidnapping a Muslim woman.
Priest who was driving force behind Worldwide Marriage Encounter dies
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (CNS) — The leadership of Worldwide Marriage Encounter mourned the death of Jesuit Father Chuck Gallagher, considered the driving force in creating what is the original faith-based marriage enrichment program. Father Gallagher died July 21 in New Jersey after a short illness. He was 85. Funeral arrangements were pending. “It is with […]
Crowds in Rio welcome pope, who wanted to be ‘close to the people’
RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) -- Pope Francis arrived in Brazil July 22, making the first international trip of his pontificate to his native region of Latin America. The papal flight touched down at Rio's Galateo-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport at 3:43 p.m. local time.