News
Catholic charities appeal for help after flooding in Central Europe
BONN, Germany (CNS) -- Catholic charities in Central Europe have appealed for help after floods devastated areas of Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. "The overall scale of this disaster will only be known in the next few days," Wolfgang Duschl, spokesman for the German church's Passau Diocese, said June 4. "But our own diocesan offices are closed, and analysts expect the material damage to run into tens of millions of euros."
Pope Francis recognizes martyrdom of 95 victims of Spanish Civil War
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis recognized the martyrdom of 95 men and women religious and laymen who were killed during the Spanish Civil War. The pope’s approval of a series of martyrdom decrees June 3 opened the way for their beatification to be scheduled. A miracle is required before any blessed may be canonized. […]
Immigration laws must reflect nation’s values, not its fears, nun says
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CNS) -- Three days into its 6,500-mile journey from Ellis Island in New York to Angel Island in San Francisco, the "Nuns on the Bus" tour for immigration reform cruised into Charlotte May 31 -- fueled by a cheering crowd outside a church. The bus campaign is rallying support for immigration reform legislation currently being debated by the U.S. Senate. A total of 29 women religious planned to go along for at least part of the trek through 40 cities in 15 states.
Parish-to-parish procession celebrates the Eucharist in Bucks County
When St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish, Yardley, and St. John the Evangelist Parish, Morrisville, held their second annual joint Corpus Christi Procession on June 2, they were following a time-honored tradition that one does not usually see in this part of the world. Locally it traces back a couple of years ago to when Lisa Kopernowski, a member of St. Ignatius Parish, saw a Corpus Christi procession from somewhere in Europe on the Internet, and she was intrigued. “What a great idea,” she thought, “why don’t we have Corpus Christi processions in America?”
Scouts’ policy change said to be ‘not in conflict’ with church teaching
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The head of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting said the Boy Scouts' vote in May to admit homosexual youth into their ranks is "not in conflict with Catholic teaching," something by which "we should be encouraged." Edward Martin, the committee's national chairman, said Scouting is "still the best youth-serving program available to all youth." He added, "We need to use this opportunity to show our commitment to making Catholic Scouting a safe environment for all youth in which the Catholic faith is taught, practiced and nurtured."
Papal honors bestowed on two local Catholics
Donna Farrell, the former communications director for the Philadelphia Archdiocese and Richard V. McCarron, former archdiocesan secretary of Catholic education, both received papal recognition at a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput June 2 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.
West Chester Catholic school gets $5,000 from Giant supermarket
SS. Simon and Jude School, West Chester, received a generous donation of $4,950 from Giant Food Stores’ A+ School Rewards program on Thursday, May 23. The school was the top recipient from the Westtown Giant location, and one of the top recipients in the area. The A+ School Rewards program allows local schools to earn […]
Mater Dolorosa Parish plans farewell Mass, procession
Mater Dolorosa Parish, a beacon of faith in the Frankford area for over 100 years, will celebrate its farewell Mass on Sunday, June 30. A “procession of solidarity” begins the day’s events at 11 a.m., in which parishioners and friends are invited to gather at Paul and Unity Streets (the site of the original chapel and […]
15 men ordained deacons at Cathedral
Archbishop Charles Chaput ordained 15 married men of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to the permanent diaconate on Saturday, June 1 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. Almost all of the new deacons are college graduates and in keeping with the trend of Catholic migration to the suburbs, only one is a member of a Philadelphia parish.
Pope’s Sunday focuses on need for peace, gift of Eucharist
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The horror of war, the valor of peacemaking and the gift of the Eucharist were on Pope Francis’ mind June 2, the day Italy celebrates its establishment as a republic and the day most dioceses around the world celebrated the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. Pope Francis began […]