News
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 […]
Climate talks ignored need for urgent action, agencies say
DOHA, Qatar (CNS) — Representatives of Christian aid and development agencies expressed disappointment that, despite a Dec. 8 agreement among delegates at the U.N. climate talks to extend the Kyoto Protocol aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions, there was little urgency to quicken the pace to respond to climate change. The representatives were concerned because […]
In Loving Memory: Joseph Washklovitch Sr.
Archbishop Wood to face one of nation’s top teams in state football championship
And then there was one. Hopes of having two teams from the Catholic League capture state football titles was cut in half last Friday, Dec. 7 when La Salle was edged by Coatesville, 42-35, in the Class AAAA semifinals. But to the rescue came Archbishop Wood, which simultaneously manhandled Allentown Central Catholic, 36-6, in the […]
Oil companies help fund Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Oil giants such as Total and Shell and other companies operating in southern Italy’s petroleum-rich Basilicata region footed the expenses for this year’s Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square. The regional government offered to donate to the Vatican a 1,615-square-foot artistic representation of Christ’s birth, resulting in “very significant savings” for […]
Catholics walk, pray, celebrate love for Our Lady of Guadalupe on her feast
Spanish-speaking Catholics poured out their love for Our Lady of Guadalupe throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia this week. For the Tuesday, Dec. 11 vigil preceding our Lady’s feast on Dec. 12, hundreds of Latino pilgrims from Philadelphia parishes began to walk in a procession as early as 4 p.m. from their homes to the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in center city for a Mass and celebration.
Federal judge calls pro-life license plate ‘viewpoint discrimination’
RALEIGH, N.C. (CNS) -- The Catholic bishops of North Carolina said they were "deeply saddened" that a federal judge ruled the state cannot issue "Choose Life" license plates without offering a choice of plates with a different viewpoint.
Pa. won’t set up health insurance exchanges, might opt out of abortion in federal plan
UPDATE -- Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett announced Dec. 12 that the state would not set up its own health insurance exchanges and instead join the federal exchange, which will cover elective abortions. Just how the decision will impact such issues as abortion is not totally clear.