News
Sunday morning faith sharing at St. Katharine Drexel Shrine
The St. Katharine Drexel Mission Center, Bensalem, offers weekly Sunday Morning Faith Sharing based on the Sunday Mass readings from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The Mission Center and National Shrine is located at 1663 Bristol Pike in Bensalem. Call Sister Annette Marie O‘Donnell, S.B.S., at 215-244-9900 for more information.
PCC praises Pa. task force’s report on child protection laws
The Task Force on Child Protection released its report recommending several changes to existing state laws governing child abuse Nov. 27 in Harrisburg, and the policy arm of Pennsylvania’s Catholic bishops was quick to praise the task force’s work. In the wake of the child sex abuse scandal that resulted in the conviction last year of former Penn State University athletic director Jerry Sandusky, the 11-member panel was created by Gov. Tom Corbett and the General Assembly to examine the state’s laws and procedures designed to protect children from abuse.
Accepting award, Father Byron calls for national service program
Father William Byron, S.J., accepted the Barry Award from the American Catholic Historical Society Nov. 16. Cicero said it best. “The first law of history is to not dare to tell a lie and not fear to tell the truth.” Pope Leo XIII quoted this in 1881 when he opened the Vatican Archives for scholarly research. The American Catholic Historical Society was founded in Philadelphia three years later and has striven to be true to this dictum ever since. Rodger Van Allen, the society’s 52nd president, also made reference to this famous quote at its annual Commodore John Barry Award Dinner held Nov. 16 at the Union League of Philadelphia.
Scientific evidence points only toward a created universe, says Jesuit
In a recent address in New Orleans, Jesuit Father Robert Spitzer said the exciting news for the new evangelization being called for by Pope Benedict XVI is the recent discoveries in "space-time geometry," prompting eminent physicists to assert the cosmos had to have a beginning and thus had to have a creator.
MP3 players loaded with spiritual material reach thousands of soldiers
WASHINGTON (CNS) — American troops have a strong presence around the globe, serving in 75 percent of the world’s countries, yet “one soldier told me they are starving for spiritual support,” said Cheri Lomonte, founder of Frontline Faith. The Catholic nonprofit organization gives MP3 players loaded with the Mass, stories and prayers to active-duty members […]
Supreme Court clears path for health care lawsuit
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way Nov. 26 for a federal appeals court to take up a Christian college's challenge to the Affordable Care Act, reopening one of several lawsuits filed by religious and other groups who oppose elements of the law. The court ordered the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to hear the argument of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., that the health care law infringes on the Christian school's religious freedom.
Vatican says it will promote religious liberty in Saudi-backed center
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A new Saudi-backed interfaith center will provide an opportunity for the church to promote religious freedom for Christians and others around the world, said the head of the Vatican’s office for interreligious dialogue. The King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Center will offer “another opportunity for open dialogue on many issues, including […]
New website promotes Catholic adoptions in Pa.
Catholic social service agencies across Pennsylvania have teamed up to launch AdoptionPa.org, a website that connects mothers and families with a Catholic adoption agency in their area and also offers encouragement and support to those who experience unintended pregnancies. “A statewide website that features each Catholic diocesan adoption program allows birth parents to have a one-stop […]
Classical Christmas concert features professional singers, orchestra
St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish in Yardley presents a classical Christmas concert featuring award-winning musicians and singers performing traditional Christmas carols and holiday music in “A Classical Christmas” on Friday, Nov. 30 at 7:30 PM in the church at 999 Reading Avenue, Yardley. The concert features singers who have toured the world from Notre Dame […]
Nativity Parish welcomes back Catholics
Do you know someone who has left the Church or has questions about returning to the Church? Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Warminster, is hosting the Catholics Returning Home series starting Monday, Jan. 14, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Conference Center. Catholics Returning Home is a parish-based ministry designed to reach out and invite […]