News
Cardinal urges young adults to deepen their Catholic faith, share it
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Since participating in the March conclave that elected Pope Francis, Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington has spoken about the experience to reporters and during Masses at local parishes. But his recent Theology on Tap talk to a standing-room crowd of between 300 and 400 Catholic young adults marked the first talk […]
Police evacuate Notre Dame Cathedral after man commits suicide
PARIS (CNS) — Visitors were evacuated from Notre Dame Cathedral after a man committed suicide in the 850-year-old church, police said. News agencies reported that the man in his 70s walked up to the main altar and shot himself the afternoon of May 21 as tourists and worshippers were in the church. Cathedral officials issued […]
Catholic organizations rally aid for victims of deadly tornadoes
UPDATED --OKLAHOMA CITY (CNS) -- Even after the initial death toll was cut by more than half, the human and material devastation of a string of tornadoes that buffeted areas of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City May 19-20 was incalculable. "Our first concern is for the victims who have lost their lives or loved ones and suffered injury or loss of property," said a May 21 statement by Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City. The revised number of those confirmed dead stood at 24, including at least seven children, as of midday May 21, down from the original estimate of 51.
Sister Maria Benedicta Blaine, I.H.M., nurse for over 60 years, dies at 89
Sister Maria Benedicta, formerly Anna Mary (Nancy) Blaine, died on May 15, 2013 in Camilla Hall, Immaculata, Pa., in the 67th year of her religious life. She was 89 years old. Born in Chester, Pa., Sister Maria Benedicta entered the congregation in 1946 from Immaculate Heart Parish, Chester, and professed her first vows in 1948. She entered […]
Temple-West’s legacy of feeding the hungry honored in new scholarship
Patrick Temple-West, the late founding director of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Nutritional Development Services, was recognized May 15 by the establishment of a permanent scholarship in his name by St. Joseph’s University’s Academy of Food Marketing.
Pastor known for parish, family ministry marks 50 years of ‘very rewarding’ priesthood
Msgr. Charles McGroarty is celebrating 50 years as a priest. His prior experience working with lay people in previous assignments has served him well as a pastor in a parish, St. Matthew's in Philadelphia, that still has one of the largest elementary schools in the Archdiocese. He believes there is too much emphasis placed on negative aspects rather than the positive accomplishments of the Church that are all around us. “The challenge of a pastor is to meet the needs of present-day Catholics,” he said. “We should publicize the good things that are being done, not putting our light under a basket.”
Newly ordained priests receive parish assignments
Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia, announces the following appointments effective June 17, 2013: NEWLY ORDAINED Reverend Sean A. Loomis, to Parochial Vicar, St. Bede the Venerable Parish, Holland Reverend John P. Stokely, to Parochial Vicar, St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Warrington Reverend Thomas A. Viviano, to Parochial Vicar, Holy Innocents Parish, […]
Indiana Catholic family’s business challenges HHS mandate
MADISON, Ind. (CNS) -- Although Grote Industries in Madison has been in business for more than a century, one date in May holds particular significance to the family-owned, worldwide manufacturer of vehicle lighting products. On May 22, a three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago was scheduled to hear arguments in the lawsuit the Grote family filed last October to gain relief from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services mandate that forces most employers to provide abortion-inducing drugs, sterilizations and contraceptives to their employees in company health plans.
Syriac bishop: Extremism jeopardizes Syrian Christians’ safety
The church leaders took part in the special Syriac blessing of the water ceremony recited over small bottles of water, later distributed to the worshippers. In his homily, Bishop Melki said the church in Syria "continues to be a victim of the total chaos and war." "We pray fervently day and night for (Christian) unity and peace, especially in Syria, and for the two bishops who have been kidnapped and their release and for others kidnapped elsewhere in the Middle East."
Ripple effect continues five years after immigration raid on Iowa plant
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (CNS) -- Carrying red flowers representing the 389 workers arrested during a 2008 raid, hundreds of people participated in a Walk for Justice and interfaith prayer service to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the immigration raid on the Agriprocessors Plant in Postville. The event continues to have an impact far beyond the small town in a rural corner of the Dubuque Archdiocese. During the opening blessing to a prayer service May 10, recently retired Dubuque Archbishop Jerome G. Hanus of Dubuque, who visited Postville shortly after the raid in 2008, alluded to how the event tore apart families and devastated the community of about 2,000 residents.