News
‘No words’ can describe shock, sadness after Conn. shooting, says priest
NEWTOWN, Conn. (CNS) -- Msgr. Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown, was at Sandy Hook Elementary School almost immediately after the horrific shooting Dec. 14. "There was a lot of hugging, a lot of crying, a lot of praying, a lot of just being silent," he said. At least eight of the children who died in the shooting belonged to the parish and will be buried from St. Rose.
Pope condemns doping, calls for legal, ethical practices in sports
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI condemned “doping” in sports and called on athletes and coaches to strive for victory through ethical and legal practices. “Every sport, both on amateur and professional levels, requires fairness in competition, respect for one’s body, a sense of solidarity and altruism and also joy, satisfaction and celebration,” he […]
God’s love asks people to decide how to live their lives, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — God’s love is unconditional yet demanding, asking all to choose how they will live their gift of life, Pope Benedict XVI said. “The love of God sometimes follows paths one could never have imagined, but it always reaches those who are willing to be found,” the pope said in his message […]
Pope expresses grief over Newtown shooting, calls for acts of peace
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After 20 children and six adults were shot dead in Connecticut, Pope Benedict XVI offered his condolences and prayers, urging all to dedicate themselves to acts of peace in the face of such "senseless violence." "I assure the families of the victims, especially those who lost a child, of my closeness in prayer," he said Dec. 17. "May the God of consolation touch their hearts and ease their pain."
Mothers and daughters share tea, learn about fertility
The Blessed Mother must have been smiling as the special mother-daughter fertility appreciation program took place at Immaculate Conception Parish in Jenkintown on Nov. 11. The Mother-Daughter Tea drew more than 85 participants and was well-attended by girls between the ages of 10 to 14 in the company of their mothers, aunts, grandmothers and the special women in their lives.
Priests, religious near Conn. school shooting quick to offer assistance
NEWTOWN, Conn. (CNS) -- As law enforcement officers tried to piece together the Dec. 14 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 20 children and seven adults dead, priests from nearby parishes rushed to the scene to comfort families and staff.
Bishop to bless Nativity scene near Philadelphia’s City Hall
In keeping with the true meaning of the season, Auxiliary Bishop John J. McIntyre will preside at the blessing of the Christmas Creche in Love Park, west of Philadelphia’s City Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. The large creche, which has become a tradition in recent years, is sponsored by area Knights of […]
Pope John Paul II High readies ‘Beauty and the Beast’ for spring show
Studio 38, the Drama Department of Pope John Paul II High School in Royersford, will present “Beauty and the Beast” as its spring musical in March 2013. The preparations for this major production began with student auditions in November. More than 150 students signed up to audition for singing, speaking and featured dancer roles. The […]
Lauded by friends, ‘incredibly unique’ Father Coates dies at age 94
Father John T. Coates, 94, pastor emeritus of St. Helena Parish in Blue Bell, died Dec. 11. Born in Philadelphia, the son of the late Washington and Mary A. (Guckin) Coates, he attended Ascension of Our Lord, James Russell Lowell and St. Helena Elementary Schools and Northeast Catholic High School before entering St. Charles Borromeo […]
Peacemakers love, defend, promote life, pope says in peace day message
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — True peacemakers defend human life at every stage of its existence and promote the common good through their economic policies and activities, Pope Benedict XVI said. In his annual message for the World Day of Peace Jan. 1, Pope Benedict said attacks on human dignity and human rights — from abortion […]