News
Cardinal Sarah known as defender of rights, promoter of charity
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Cardinal Robert Sarah, 67, has both the pastoral experience and the Roman Curia experience that many observers believe is necessary for a future pope. As Pope Benedict XVI prepared to leave office in late February, Cardinal Sarah was visiting Syrian refugee camps in Jordan in his capacity as president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, the office that promotes and coordinates Catholic charitable giving.
Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul wins awards for promo video
The Philadelphia Visitors Channel presented Mgsr. Arthur E. Rodgers, rector of the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, with two awards Monday, Feb. 18 for a video on the cathedral. The video presents a tour of the cathedral that highlights its spiritual and historic significance. Considered the mother church and iconic symbol of […]
Rosemont parish hosts CRS speaker from Africa
The presentation by Jacques Kabore, a program director for CRS in Burkina Faso, will describe his work in the country. Participants will discover easy and practical resources to enliven their parish community, and have opportunities to network with other parish leaders and representatives. A simple supper will be served free of charge at 6 p.m. […]
What the church needs now: Synod gives clues to cardinals’ priorities
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — One task facing the College of Cardinals already has been completed: A job description for the Catholic Church’s chief evangelizer already is written. He must be humble, but firmly grounded in church teaching; joyful and enthusiastic; willing to listen to and dialogue with others; and courageous in defending human rights, including […]
CRS Lenten Series presents reflections by international, local speakers
The Catholic Relief Services annual Lenten Series continues in March with programs scheduled to take place at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, 222 North 17th Street in Philadelphia. Reflections by a speaker working with CRS, along with questions and answers, will take place from noon to 1 p.m. A simple meal of soup and bread will […]
Jazz festival for grade school bands coming to Mater Dei School
Mater Dei Catholic School in Lansdale will host its first-ever Archdiocesan Jazz Festival Saturday, Feb. 23. Elementary and middle school bands from around Philadelphia, including Mater Dei’s band, will perform and compete for awards. Other participating schools include Our Lady of Mercy in Maple Glen, St. Joseph in Downingtown, St. Aloysius in Bryn Mawr, and others. […]
A voice that proposed love and fulfillment
The following editorial appeared in the Feb. 13 issue of The Record, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Perth, Australia. It was written by Peter Rosengren, the editor. It seems nearly impossible to say anything that will be unique or new about the most talked about news of the week, and probably of the year. However, […]
Parish volunteers fan out to help victims of severe Mississippi tornado
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (CNS) -- Just as they did following Hurricane Katrina and in response to other disasters, members of a Hattiesburg Catholic church joined together Feb. 16 and fanned out across the Hattiesburg area to help those impacted by the F-4 tornado that hit the area less than a week earlier. Nearly 140 volunteers met at St. Thomas Aquinas Church that morning for equipment, instructions and directions and then split into groups to help residents in six sites in the city most heavily damaged by the storm.
Pope considering last-minute changes to conclave rules, Vatican says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI is considering making some changes to the conclave rules and rituals before he leaves office Feb. 28, the Vatican spokesman confirmed. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the spokesman, told reporters Feb. 20 that any papal document is more likely to deal with possible discrepancies between the apostolic constitution governing […]
Dr. Billings dies at 95; she helped develop widely used method of NFP
MELBOURNE, Australia (CNS) — Dr. Evelyn Billings, who with her husband, John, pioneered research that led them to develop a form of natural family planning supported by the Catholic Church, died Feb. 16 after a short illness. She was 95. The Australian pediatrician joined her physician-husband’s team in 1965 as he was researching a more […]