News

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. […]

Reflection and rediscovery in the Year of Faith

Father Adolfo Nicolas, the superior general of the Jesuits, has, in response to Pope Benedict's invitation to a Year of Faith, asked Jesuits worldwide this question: "What do I experience as challenges or obstacles to faith, and what sustains and deepens my faith?" That is worthy of consideration by all Catholics and I'd like to provide some impetus for that reflection.

Pope Francis: Without faith in Christ, church is just ‘pitiful NGO’

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Without faith in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, the church is nothing more than a “pitiful NGO,” Pope Francis said in his first homily as pope. “When one does not confess Christ,” he said, “one confesses the worldliness of the devil.” The pope spoke at Mass March 14 in the Sistine […]

Pope Francis: Don’t give in to pessimism, courageously share Gospel

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Never give in to the devil's pessimism, discouragement and bitterness, Pope Francis said; Christians need to share the Gospel message with joy and courage because it will truly answer people's deepest needs. Young people also need the wisdom and knowledge of older people, whose insight is like "fine wine that gets better with age," he told the College of Cardinals March 15.