News
Lasting bonds: Vatican invites extended families to join pilgrimage
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As part of the Year of Faith, the Vatican wants to celebrate bonds that last a lifetime. The international pilgrimage of families Oct. 26-27 is being planned as a celebration and not a protest against any policy or trend, said Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family.
At interfaith service, calls made to continue search for justice
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Recalling the words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington urged people to join hands and walk together, and not alone, for justice during an interfaith prayer service marking the 50th anniversary of the civil rights leader's "I Have a Dream" speech.
Some strides, but also shortcomings, seen by 1963 marchers
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Cordelia Coleman was just 12 when she went 50 years ago to the first March on Washington with her mother, father, sister and brother. Fifty years later, Coleman was accompanied by her son Ronald to the second of two marches commemorating the original march in 1963. The Aug. 28 march capped a week of activities surrounding the march, cemented into history by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.
Pope tells youth to ‘make noise,’ fight hazards of culture
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Fight off a drug- and alcohol-pushing culture and other hazardous trends sweeping across today's world, Pope Francis told young people. "In life, there will always be people who will make you offers to slow or impede you on your way. Please, go against the current. Be courageous," he said.
The summer of immigration groundwork: working toward passing a new law
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Members of Congress may be out of town and immigration reform legislation may be stuck until at least this fall, but the summer recess has been time for Catholic activists to rally their forces and pressure elected representatives.
Romanian priest who died in communist prison to be beatified
WARSAW, Poland (CNS) -- A priest who died of cold and hunger in a communist prison will be beatified as a martyr Aug. 31 in Bucharest, Romania. The sanctity of Msgr. Vladimir Ghika has "given us an important new example of a life lived for church and faith," said Archbishop Ioan Robu of Bucharest, president of the Romanian bishops' conference.
N.M. bishops: Let lawmakers decide fate of same-sex marriage in state
LOS LUNAS, N.M. (CNS) -- New Mexico's bishops asserted that the state legislature is the best group to decide whether same-sex marriage should be permitted in the state. The statement was prompted by the announcement the same day by Lynn Ellins, county clerk of Dona Ana County -- home to Las Cruces, the state's second-biggest city -- that his office would start issuing marriage licenses for same-sex couples.
Head back to school with our special online guide
Catholic school students are getting ready to head back to school next week. CatholicPhilly.com’s 2013 Back to School supplement shows what Catholic school students have been doing over the summer, and the plans being made for the fall term at Catholic high schools, regional elementary schools and parish grade schools.
Franciscan Sister Patricia Przybylski, who served in parish ministry, dies at 72
Sister Patricia Przybylski, O.S.F., formerly Sister Robert Michael, died Aug. 27 in Assisi House, Aston, one day before her 73rd birthday. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 51 years. Sister Patricia was born in Baltimore, Md., where she was a member of the Shrine of the Little […]
In a first, Catholic Charities to benefit from ticket sales at Phillies’ game
The Phillies and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are teaming up to offer a fun night of baseball at Citizens Bank Park to benefit a good cause: the annual Catholic Charities Appeal. The first-ever Catholic Charities Night at the Phillies will be Sept. 17, and $8 from each ticket purchased will go toward the appeal. The night will have a Catholic flair when Bishop Timothy Senior, rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the game against the Florida Marlins beginning at 7:05 p.m. And the choir of St. Cyprian Parish in West Philadelphia will sing the National Anthem.