News
Barrier’s extension could separate West Bank Salesians from communities
The Israeli Supreme Court recently heard Israel's appeal to extend the Israeli-Palestinian separation barrier, a series of cement slabs, barbed wire fences and security roads that would separate the city of Beit Jalla from two Israeli settlements, creating a contiguous strip of land that could be used for expansion and their eventual joining. It will also separate 57 Christian Palestinian families from their agricultural lands, the last green area left for expansion of the city.
Catholics in Archdiocese asked to offer prayers for Pope Benedict, cardinals
The retirement of Pope Benedict XVI and the conclave to elect a new pope will take place in Rome but plans to pray for both are underway in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Top among them is a Mass to be celebrated 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24 for Pope Benedict at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.
Permanent deacons to see changes for ministry, formation in Archdiocese
Permanent deacons are a growing presence in the Church of Philadelphia. Under new rules promulgated by Archbishop Charles Chaput on Feb. 13 and effective March 24, theirs will be a much more visible presence in the future. First, they will be permitted to witness marriages celebrated outside of Mass. Second, they will wear a clerical shirt when performing public duties as deacons outside of a liturgy. Third, the age for entering the deacon formation program will be lowered to 50.
Sister Honora Mary Ivers, I.H.M., dies at 92, had long service in grade schools of Archdiocese
Sister Honora Mary, formerly Mary Kathryn Ivers, died in Camilla Hall, Immaculata, in the 74th year of her religious life. She was 92 years old. Born in Philadelphia, Sister Honora Mary entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1939 from St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bensalem and professed […]
Sister Marie Albert Kunberger, I.H.M., former Immaculata department chair, dies at 82
Sister Marie Albert, formerly Elizabeth M. Kunberger, died suddenly Jan. 20 in Paoli Memorial Hospital. She was 82 and in the 60th year of her religious life. Born in Philadelphia, Sister Marie Albert entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1953 from St. Gabriel Parish in Philadelphia, and […]
La Salle High extends string of Catholic League wrestling titles to five
One of these days, some Catholic League wrestling opponent is going to defeat La Salle High School. Just not this year. In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year, the Explorers methodically defeated visiting Father Judge, 39-24, and increased their stronghold on the Catholic League crown to five straight. La Salle’s victory streak versus […]
Before conclave, Cardinal Rigali lists qualities cardinals will seek in electing next pope
Philadelphia’s Archbishop Emeritus, Cardinal Justin Rigali, was just as surprised as everyone else by the almost unprecedented Feb. 11 announcement by Pope Benedict XVI that he would resign from the papacy at 8 p.m. Rome time, Feb. 28. "We all know the extraordinary issues he has to face day in and day out," the Cardinal said, "so he very candidly said, ‘I had been thinking about this and I am now convinced the role of successor St. Peter is so involved, I don’t have the strength.’ This was beautiful, because he certainly gave his all in everything that he did.”
Lansdale parish aims to bring back inactive Catholics by listening first
Many Catholics say they “used to be Catholic” or call themselves Catholic but rarely if ever go to church. Reaching out to those inactive Catholics is the goal of “Bridging the Breach,” an evangelization initiative of Corpus Christi Parish in Lansdale that began with its first session Sunday, Feb. 10. Even before that, organizers knew that inactive Catholics had to be invited personally to share their thoughts and feelings about why they no longer practiced their faith.
Before mortal remains of St. Valentine, couples pledge unending love
TERNI, Italy (CNS) -- Holding hands as they processed into church, 101 couples approached the mortal remains of St. Valentine, invoking his protection and promising that their upcoming weddings would bind them to one another forever. Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, presided over the Mass and told the couples that "in a world that no longer understands love and marriage and family," their promises are an affirmation that true love is forever and that marriage involves an openness to having children.
Judge dismisses dioceses’ HHS lawsuit, calls it not ripe
CHICAGO (CNS) -- A U.S. District Court judge Feb. 8 dismissed a lawsuit filed against the federal contraceptive mandate by the Springfield and Joliet dioceses, their respective Catholic Charities agencies and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Judge John W. Darrah of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago said in his ruling the claims of the plaintiffs "are unripe for adjudication."