News
Gov. Perry signs bill that puts new restrictions on abortion in Texas
UPDATED -- AUSTIN, Texas (CNS) -- The drama in Texas over abortion that drew national and international attention came to an end for the moment after the state House of Representatives then the state Senate voted to adopt tougher abortion regulations. Gov. Rick Perry signed the measure into law during a ceremony July 17.
Seven families of St. Raymond Parish care for homeless people in 8-week program
Summer is a time for sunshine, celebration and at St. Raymond of Penafort Parish in Philadelphia, service, as homeless families from around the city are welcomed and served by parishioners. From July 1 to Aug. 31, volunteers are contributing their talents to provide homeless and low-income families with healthy meals while the parish gives them shelter at St. Raymond’s former convent.
Mass celebrates St. Kateri Tekawitha
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput was the main celebrant and homilist at a Mass of Thanksgiving for the canonization of St. Kateri Tekakwitha on Sunday, July 14. Native American Catholics from across the Archdiocese of Philadelphia attended Mass dressed in their native garb. St. Kateri is the first Native American to be declared a saint. She […]
Be generous givers of mercy, not condemnation, disapproval, pope says
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- God wants people to be generous and merciful, not full of condemnation toward others, Pope Francis said. God is well aware of "our miseries, our difficulties, even our sins, and he gives all of us this merciful heart," capable of being loving and merciful toward others, he told pilgrims gathered outside the papal summer villa.
Pa. bishop recalled as humble teacher who shared ‘the journey’ with flock
GREENSBURG, Pa. (CNS) -- Retired Bishop Anthony G. Bosco of Greensburg was remembered for his humble nature, wit, and dedication to teaching the Catholic faith at his funeral Mass, which was celebrated by Archbishop Charles Chaput, July 10 at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg.
Archbishop Chaput encourages Catholics to seek wisdom and witness to their faith
The need for America’s Catholics to seek wisdom and witness to their faith is all the more urgent at a time of increasing threats to the dignity of life, to marriage and to religious freedom, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput said in July 8. He spoke at a Year of Faith lecture sponsored by the Basilica […]
New ideas, personal touch lead to whopping rise in Seminary Appeal
Generally speaking, if you run an annual fundraising campaign and the end result is 10 percent over the previous year, you can consider it a great success. If that’s true what would you call a 74 percent increase? That’s the case with the annual St. Charles Borromeo Seminary Appeal. Last year's appeal raised $1,595,705. This year's raised $3,051,668, up $1,455,963. It's an all-time high, and counting.
Beyond fundraising, St. Charles Seminary’s rector lays plans for stronger footing
In retrospect, 2012-13 St. Charles Seminary Appeal “was a great appeal,” said the seminary’s rector, Bishop Timothy C. Senior. “I think this is about the present and the future and it is a realization that St. Charles Seminary is alive and well there is a real sense of the future."
Media parish hosts holy hour to pray, reflect on religious freedom
When all else seemingly fails, prayer is still the answer. At Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Media, a Holy Hour for Religious Freedom was observed on the evening of Monday, July 1. This was a parish response to this year’s Fortnight for Freedom, the June 21-July 4 period of prayer and action called for by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in light of what is seen as assaults on religious liberty.
Bishop urges House to resist cutting, restructuring nutrition programs
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The House of Representatives passed a bill that defers funding for SNAP, once known as food stamps. The nutrition and agricultural sections of the farm bill have long been joined together in an effort to amass votes from urban and rural lawmakers for each other's interests, but the House leadership said it would deal later with nutrition issues.