News

St. Pius X hosts meditation on birth of Jesus

Catholic writer, teacher and evangelist Bill Donaghy will present on “The Birth that Changed Everything” Monday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. at St. Pius X Church, Broomall. Discover the beauty of the birth of the God-man through sacred art and song, joining the community of St. Pius X for a meditation on the love that […]

Msgr. McLoone named pastor of St. Joseph’s, Downingtown

Msgr. Joseph C. McCloone has been named pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Downingtown by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. Parishioners of St. Joseph’s were informed of the appointment at weekend Masses Dec. 1-2.

Secretary for Catholic Education Richard McCarron announces retirement

Richard V. McCarron Jr., the top lay official for Catholic education in the Philadelphia Archdiocese, tendered his resignation last weekend. After serving as superintendent of schools before being named secretary for Catholic education in 2001, the 68-year-old McCarron will conclude 25 years in leadership with the archdiocese when his resignation becomes effective Feb. 1, 2013. “It is time for me to step down so that new leadership can guide and direct the mission of Catholic education,” McCarron said in a statement. “While it is difficult to step back from this role and from those whose dedication, commitment and passion for Catholic education have helped to mold thousands of students in the Catholic faith, I feel blessed for the opportunity to have worked with such devoted people.”

Archbishop Chaput receives anointing of the sick

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput and other Catholics received the anointing of the sick during Mass Sunday, Dec. 2 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.  Father Dennis Gill and Msgr. Arthur Rodgers, rector of the Cathedral, administered the sacrament. Archbishop Chaput will undergo knee surgery on Tuesday, Dec. 4. He asks via his Facebook […]

La Salle University award goes to CRS for agency’s humanitarian efforts

PHILADELPHIA (CNS) — La Salle University gave one of its highest honors, the Signum Fidei Award, to Catholic Relief Services for its humanitarian outreach around the world. The university’s Alumni Association presents the award each year to an individual or organization “that has made noteworthy contributions to the advancement of humanitarian principles in keeping with […]

Is capitalism Catholic? A priest defends free-market economics

Father Robert Sirico insists that applying principles of the church's social teaching is a matter of prudential judgment, allowing for a range of legitimate approaches, including market-based solutions.

Advent music festival at St. Genevieve, Flourtown

The St. Genevieve Parish choirs and musicians will present a concert of sacred seasonal works on Sunday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. in the church located at 1225 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown. The second annual Festival of Lessons and Carols will include performances of traditional choral masterworks, uplifting Gospel arrangements and new pieces from international composers. The program features ample opportunities […]

Archbishop Ryan High presents ‘The Wizard of Oz’

Students from Archbishop Ryan High School in Northeast Philadelphia performed a dress rehearsal version of their fall play “The Wizard of Oz” for local grade school students on the morning of Nov. 30.  The opening performance of the show was set to begin at 7:30 p.m. Two more performances will be on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 […]

A goat for Christmas? Thriving alternatives for less commercial gifts

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Should the Christmas shopping crowds, costs and commercialism be at odds with how one is trying to observe Advent and the celebration of the birth of Christ, there’s a burgeoning world of alternative ways of gift-giving that are vying for attention. * Angel trees or giving trees set up in churches, schools […]

Reading Vatican II as break with tradition is heresy, prefect says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Traditionalist and progressive camps that see the Second Vatican Council as breaking with the truth both espouse a “heretical interpretation” of the council and its aims, said the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. What Pope Benedict XVI has termed “the hermeneutic of reform, of renewal in […]