News
Allowing driver’s licenses for undocumented benefits all, say advocates
CHICAGO (CNS) -- Undocumented immigrants who can prove they have lived in Illinois for at least a year will soon be eligible for temporary driver's licenses, under a bill passed Jan. 8 by the Illinois state House of Representatives.
Clergy assignments announced
Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M.Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia, announces the following appointments effective as noted: PAROCHIAL ADMINISTRATOR Reverend John C. Nguyen, to Parochial Administrator, pro tem, St. Stanislaus Parish, Lansdale, while continuing as School Minister, Archbishop Wood High School, effective Jan. 15 PAROCHIAL VICARS Reverend John C. Crowley, from Parochial Vicar, Our Lady […]
Catholic doctors oppose call for over-the-counter contraceptive pills
QUINCY, Mass. (CNS) — Some Catholic physicians, including those who do not prescribe contraceptives, are questioning the safety of allowing oral contraceptives to be sold over the counter, as the nation’s largest body of obstetricians and gynecologists recommended in December. Dr. Kathleen Raviele, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Atlanta and former president of the Catholic Medical Association, […]
Franciscan friars pray for intentions via texting
NEW YORK (CNS) — Often, prayer intentions are offered with hands folded, but a new service allows hands and fingers to move freely — provided a cellphone is handy. The New York-based Holy Name Province of the Franciscans has started a service it calls “Text a Prayer Intention to a Franciscan Friar.” Here’s how it […]
People around world pledge to say rosary daily during Year of Faith
EASTON, Mass. (CNS) -- The Family Rosary division of Holy Cross Family Ministries in Easton has gathered more than 80,000 pledges from people around the globe who said they would pray the rosary daily during the 2012-13 Year of Faith. The pledges, which came in response to a program offering free rosaries, were gathered in a book and presented recently to Pope Benedict XVI by Holy Cross Father John Phalen, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries.
Donald Parsons, supporter of Catholic education, dies at 87
Donald F. Parsons of West Chester, founder of Communications Test Design, died Jan. 7 at age 87. Parsons was born in Halethorpe, Md., on Jan. 31, 1925 and grew up in West Philadelphia. He served in the Navy during World War II and then worked for 28 years with the AT&T Western Electric Co. He […]
St. Veronica Parish to welcome St. Hugh parishioners in merger
As the latest step in the ongoing archdiocesan strategic planning, Lower Northeast Philadelphia’s St. Hugh of Cluny Parish will close and merge with St. Veronica to form a new parish, keeping the St. Veronica name. The announcement was made at all Masses at the parishes Jan. 12-13. The merger is effective Jan. 27. St. Hugh […]
Partnerships key to Haiti’s recovery 3 years after earthquake
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Soon after a monstrous earthquake devastated much of Haiti three years ago, the mantra among Haitian government leaders and a good share of relief and development agencies was “build back Haiti better.” It was somewhat catchy, of course, and certainly demonstrative of the resiliency of a country battered all too often by […]
Cardinal Dolan urges NY governor to rethink support for ‘radical’ abortion bill
NEW YORK (CNS) -- A New York measure that would prevent state regulations on abortion is a "radical" bill in a state where the abortion rate is already "double the national average," New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan told Gov. Andrew Cuomo Jan. 9. The cardinal made the comments in a letter to the governor after Cuomo delivered his annual State of the State address, which opens the legislative session.
Bishop McFadden issues report on Catholic college ‘Ex Corde’ review
WASHINGTON (CNS) — During the past decade, U.S. Catholic college presidents and local bishops have experienced greater collaboration, according to a review of the Vatican document that clarified the relationship between these leaders. The bishops and college leaders gave a 10-year review of “The Application of ‘Ex Corde Ecclesiae’ for the United States,” a document […]