News
Annual Archbishop’s Christmas Benefit treats 400 needy children to fun party
“I’m never ready for Christmas until I do this,” said Douglas Dunn, who has played Santa Claus for the past 17 years at the Archbishop's Christmas Benefit for Children Dec. 18. “For me, it is just to see the joy and happiness of the children. I try to visit every child in the room.” That’s a tall order, considering there were 400 children at the party representing the 16,000 children who benefit during the year from residential and community-based programs offered by archdiocesan Catholic Social Services.
Deacon Thompson remembered for Christ-like charity and holiness
Deacon James A. Thompson, 82, a retired permanent deacon who had been assigned to Stella Maris Parish in Philadelphia, died Dec. 13. Born in Philadelphia, he graduated from La Salle College and served in the United States Navy from 1952 to 1956. He was a federal civil service employee for 39 years, and to further […]
Bishop blesses Nativity scene near Philadelphia’s City Hall
Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia John J. McIntyre presided over the 16th annual blessing of the Nativity scene Dec. 19 at Love Park in Philadelphia. The annual event was organized by the Christmas Creche Committee and sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Knights of Columbus. Students from St. Francis Xavier Parish Elementary School […]
SS. Philip and James’ 2nd graders stage Christmas play
The second grade classes of SS. Philip and James School, Exton, performed “The Christmas Story” for their parents and the school community Dec. 13 and 14. Accompanied by a choir and narrators, the cast told the story of Mary, Joseph and the birth of Jesus. The story included how the angels appeared to the shepherds […]
At funerals, Newtown pastor tells mourners child victims were gift from the start
RYE, N.Y. (CNS) -- Addressing mourners at the first two funerals for young victims of the Dec. 14 school shooting in Connecticut, Msgr. Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown asked, "Where else but the church could we bring this unspeakable act?" "Where else but the altar could we find some resolution? People bring their wounded and shattered selves here for healing, mending and transcendence," he said.
Strength of faith comes from trusting God, pope says at audience
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Mary's role in the birth and life of Jesus shows all Christians that the strength of faith lies in trusting God, even when his will is mysterious and life seems dark, Pope Benedict XVI said. "The power of God, in our lives as well, works with the often silent power of truth and love," the pope said Dec. 19. Preparing for Christmas and continuing his Year of Faith series of audience talks, the pope focused on what Christians can learn about faith from Mary.
European youths to usher in New Year with Taize songs, silence in Rome
ROME (CNS) — The simple songs using phrases from the Psalms repeated over and over form a frame around the 10 full minutes of absolute silence that lies at the heart of the Taize ecumenical community’s prayer. As monks from the community, based in France, and volunteers prepared to welcome more than 30,000 European young […]
In Holy Land, Christmas traditions include family, parades and Mass
JERUSALEM (CNS) — The simmering smell of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves in Catholic parishes across the West Bank and Israel heralds the start of the Christmas season in early December as families prepare burbara, the special wheat pudding eaten to mark the feast day of St. Barbara, known as Eid El-Burbara in Arabic. According to […]
Kerala bishops sack youth commission priest charged with trafficking
COCHIN, India (CNS) — The Catholic Bishops’ Council of Kerala dismissed the secretary of its youth commission, who has been charged as part of a human trafficking ring. Father Stephen Alathara, spokesman for the council, also said Nov. 17 it would conduct an investigation into the priest’s activities, reported the Press Trust of India. In […]
Ruling protects assets of Milwaukee parishes in bankruptcy process
MILWAUKEE (CNS) — Two decisions by a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge have kept the assets of Catholic parishes in southeastern Wisconsin out of reach of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors seeking compensation for victims/survivors of clergy sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s Chapter 11 reorganization. Judge Susan V. Kelley denied a motion filed […]