News
At funeral, Bishop McFadden recalled as champion of new evangelization
With a solemn Mass of Christian Burial, faithful from Harrisburg, Philadelphia and beyond filled Holy Name of Jesus Church to offer the ultimate prayer for Bishop Joseph P. McFadden, who died suddenly of a heart attack May 2 while in Philadelphia to attend a meeting of the state’s bishops. A congregation of nearly 2,000 mourners filled the pews and the extra chairs set up for the Mass. Among them were Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop Charles Chaput and other archbishops, bishops, priests, deacons, religious sisters, lay faithful and people from other faith traditions.
Blind singer-pianist says he relies on God to be his eyes
ANNANDALE, Va. (CNS) — Behind all the musical prowess of Carlos Ibay is a young man whose strong connection to the heart of Jesus can be recognized through the many outlets of his ingenuity. It’s evident in his life, his voice and his song. On a recent Sunday, seated high above the congregation in the […]
Blogging Catholic moms share their faith as ‘digital disciples’
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- One of Mary's titles is "Christ's First Disciple," and some of Christ's earliest followers were women. Now some 2,000 years later another special group of women, specifically Catholic moms who blog on the Internet about their faith, the Catholic Church, as well as the joys and challenges of parenthood and everyday family life, can be considered among Christ's newest evangelizers or "digital disciples."
Nun, other activists found guilty of ‘intending to harm’ U.S. security
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (CNS) -- An 83-year-old woman religious and two other peace activists were found guilty May 8 in a federal court for breaking into a nuclear weapon-producing facility and defacing its walls last summer.
Spring cleaning at the Vatican reveals 1494 painting of native Americans
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A little bit of spring cleaning or a much needed renovation can turn up the most unexpected things — especially if you’re sprucing up or digging through the Vatican. Home of hundreds of thousands of artifacts, archived documents, ornate frescoes, plaster niches and underground tombs, it can be heavenly for a […]
Canada’s March for Life frames abortion as human rights issue
OTTAWA, Ontario (CNS) -- Canada's National March for Life framed abortion as a human rights issue, damaging especially to women and girls. "There are 200 million missing girls in the world right now, which is creating a huge problem for society," said member of Parliament Mark Warawa May 9. He introduced a motion earlier this year to condemn female gendercide, which he called "the systematic elimination of girls just because they are girls."
Don’t be a sourpuss, be joyful, Pope Francis says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Using a phrase that translates literally as "the face of a pickled pepper," Pope Francis said that when Christians have more of a sourpuss than a face that communicates the joy of being loved by God, they harm the witness of the church.
Pope says evangelists build bridges, not walls
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Like Jesus who dined with Pharisees and sinners and St. Paul who preached to idol worshippers, true evangelizers build bridges that lead unbelievers into the church, not walls to protect it, Pope Francis said. The pope’s words came in a homily May 8 during morning Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, […]
Sister Mary Owen Mulhern, I.H.M., teacher, principal, dies at 91
Sister Mary Owen, I.H.M., formerly Elizabeth T. Mulhern died May 2nd in Camilla Hall, Immaculata, Pa. in the 71st year of her religious life. She was 91 years old. Born in Philadelphia, Pa., Sister entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1941 from Transfiguration Parish, Philadelphia, and professed her first […]
Homily of Bishop Barres at the Solemn Funeral Mass for Bishop Joseph P. McFadden
May 8, 2013 To John and Mary Jo, Sister Jane, Ellen and Pat and Bishop McFadden’s large and loving extended family, to the Cardinals, to the Archbishops, to his brother bishops, to the priests, deacons, religious and the people of God of the Diocese of Harrisburg and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, we offer you our prayers and sympathy as we celebrate this Solemn Funeral Mass for the soul of Bishop McFadden and for the people he has served.