News
Franciscan Sister Martina Butalla, teacher and health care aide, dies at 86
Sister Martina Therese Butalla, O.S.F., 86, died in Assisi House on July 18. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 66 years. Sister Martina Therese (Jane Francis Butalla) was born in Enout, Pa. Prior to her entrance into the congregation in 1944, she was a member of […]
Sister Mary Gregoria Pogera, I.H.M., taught for more than 50 years
Sister Mary Gregoria, I.H.M., formerly Catherine Pogera, died July 11 in Camilla Hall, Immaculata, in the 83rd year of her religious life. She was 99 years old. Born in Port Carbon, Pa., Sister Mary entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1929 from St. Stephen Parish, Port Carbon […]
New figures show signs of hope amid long slide in Mass attendance
On any given weekend during the month of October 2012, there were approximately 253,338 Catholics attending Mass in churches throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, according to figures compiled by the archdiocesan Office for Parish Service and Support. If that sounds like a lot, it isn’t. Approximately 21.8 percent of all the registered Catholics attended Mass that month.
House abandonment of nutrition items in farm bill called ‘misguided’
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As Congress lurches toward its summer recess, inside and outside the corridors of Congress, people have been asking, "What in Sam Hill is going on with the House on the farm bill?"
North Dakota bishops criticize ruling on 2011 law on abortion drugs
BISMARCK, N.D. (CNS) — North Dakota’s Catholic bishops called a decision by a state judge that a 2011 law prohibiting the use of one of two drugs used in nonsurgical abortions violates the state and U.S. constitutions. North Dakota Judge Wickham Corwin July 15 said the two-year-old law was “simply wrongheaded” and that “no compelling […]
Pope talks about importance of giving young people jobs
ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT TO BRAZIL (CNS) -- With economic hard times as an excuse not to hire young people, the world risks tossing them aside and endangers its own future, Pope Francis said. Speaking to reporters aboard the papal flight to Rio de Janeiro July 22, the pope declined to answer their questions, but instead made very brief remarks about his July 22-29 trip and then greeted each of the 71 media members.
Hobby Lobby wins injunction against HHS mandate
OKLAHOMA CITY (CNS) -- A federal judge in Oklahoma City July 19 granted a temporary injunction to the arts and crafts chain Hobby Lobby, saying it would not have to comply with the federal health care law mandating that employers provide coverage of contraceptives in their health insurance plans.
Pope creates body to revamp Vatican’s bookkeeping, fiscal responsibility
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis has named a new commission to investigate current accounting practices among all Vatican offices and bodies and to help devise new strategies for greater fiscal responsibility and transparency.
Christian families practice small acts of faith among Muslims, Jews in Israeli village
MUQEIBLEH, Israel (CNS) — Every evening, Suhad Shunnara, 32, reads the Bible to her three sons and kneels with them to say the rosary. On Friday, she and her husband, Fuad, 40, send the children to religion class, and on Saturday, after Mass, they all watch a Christian TV channel together. In this small village […]
Man golfs coast-to-coast in epic school fundraiser
INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) -- More than two months into his drive to hit a golf ball across the country -- from California to South Carolina -- Luke Bielawski has experienced an incredible assortment of adventures. His "Tee to Shining Tee" journey hopes to raise $100,000 to help youths receive a Catholic education at Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis.