News
Pope Francis begins papacy pledging to protect church, human dignity
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis formally began his ministry as bishop of Rome and as pope by pledging to protect the Catholic Church, the dignity of each person and the beauty of creation, just like St. Joseph protected Mary and Jesus. “To protect creation, to protect every man and every woman, to look upon […]
Western Pa. university mourns death of coach, her unborn child in crash
GREENSBURG, Pa. (CNS) -- Seton Hill University in a statement said the school community is "deeply saddened by the tragic bus accident" the morning of March 16 that took the life of the head coach of the women's lacrosse team and her unborn child, and also killed the driver and injured 13 players.
Sister Margaret Benfield, I.H.M., native of Scranton, served in archdiocesan schools
Sister Margaret Benfield, I.H.M., formerly known as Sister Margaret William, died March 13 at the VNA Inpatient Hospice Unit at Geisinger-Community Medical Center in Scranton. She was 73 years old.
Sister Mary Rosario DiBello, O.P., dies at age 89
Dominican Sister Mary Rosario DiBello, formerly Rose DiBello, died March 11 at the Motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of Peace in Columbus, Ohio. She was 89 years old. Born in Philadelphia, she entered the Dominican Sisters in July 1948 and made her first profession of vows Feb. 13, 1951. Sister Rosario taught in Media, Delaware […]
Devotion to Mary in painting spreading from Latin America to Philadelphia, by way of Pope Francis
Chances are, you never before heard of devotion to “Mary Untier (or Undoer) of Knots.” You are apt to hear a lot about it in the future because it happens to be a favorite devotion of Pope Francis. Archbishop Charles Chaput already knows about it because he has on his desk an image of it given to him some years ago by the future pope.
Cultural Heritage Mass celebrates ‘all one people under one God’
There is nothing quite like the annual Cultural Heritage Mass to give the idea of what it means to belong to the Universal Church and to live in a country that draws future citizens from around the world. This year’s Mass, held Saturday, March 16 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul with Archbishop Charles J. Chaput as the principal celebrant, featured groups representing approximately 20 different nationalities.
Mass for persons with disabilities scheduled for March 23 at Cathedral
The annual archdiocesan Mass honoring the persons with disabilities, the deaf community, family, friends and caregivers is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 23 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput will be the principal celebrant and homilist. There will be a light […]
Immaculata University continues its Irish studies programming
Poetry Month at Immaculata University will feature a celebration of “Sense of Place,“ readings by three local poets on Tuesday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m. in Loyola Hall on the University’s campus. The evening will focus on the works of poets, all graduates of LaSalle University, who write about the Philadelphia neighborhoods in which they grew up. Each reader will bring his personal style to familiar themes. [...]
Non-practicing Catholics welcomed back in Jamison parish program
St. Cyril of Jerusalem Parish 1410 Almshouse Road, Jamison, PA will conduct an ongoing series called Catholics Returning Home on six consecutive Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm in the church beginning April 18, 2013. These sessions are for non-practicing Catholics who are seeking answers to questions about returning to the church. There will be informal sharing and an update of the Catholic faith. For [...]
Annual Catholic Charismatic conference set for Media parish
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal will hold its annual conference with a special service for healing and renewal Saturday, April 6 from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2400 North Providence Road in Media. Speakers include Kathleen McCarthy, president of In His Sign (radio) Network; and Sister Nancy Kellar, S.C., who will deliver the keynote. […]