News
Archdiocesan Review Board gets new leaders, members
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput has appointed veteran prosecutors to lead the Archdiocesan Review Board, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced Oct. 17. Former Philadelphia prosecutor Robert Spinelli is the new chair of the board and former Philadelphia First Assistant District Attorney Arnold Gordon is the vice chair. Both men have served on the board since June […]
Parish as center of Catholic life focus of annual canon law convention
In a talk about parishes in the future, a canon law expert described the parish as a means to reach the goal of establishing a eucharistic community. Shifting populations, a shortage of priests and a decline in religious practice are causing parish mergers and closures in the United States and will continue to do so, said Msgr. Roch Page, judicial vicar of the Canadian Appeal Tribunal of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. "The next decades will certainly see the canonical status of the laity conform with its theology," he said.
Evangelization must start with people’s real lives, synod members say
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- New evangelization efforts cannot succeed unless they begin with the concrete lives, cultures and languages of the people whom the Catholic Church is trying to reach with the Gospel, said participants at the Synod of Bishops. Indonesian Bishop Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo of Jakarta said a problem comes with translations of the Mass from the original Latin. While the Vatican has insisted on translations being as literal as possible in order to remain faithful to the full content and rich implications of the Latin terms, the Indonesian bishop said a "literal translation is not always possible, because of the diversity and complexity of languages."
Ignorance of faith risks creating cafeteria Catholics, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Ignorance of the faith puts Christians at risk of following a "do-it-yourself" religion, Pope Benedict XVI said. People need to become more familiar with the creed because it is there that the "Christian moral life is planted and ... one finds its foundation and justification," the pope said Oct. 17 at his weekly general audience. Before an estimated 20,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square, the pope began a new series of audience talks to accompany the Year of Faith, which marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council.
Pope says farm co-ops can protect values while feeding people
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Farm co-ops can provide the world with an “alternative vision” to government or international agriculture policies that place too much emphasis on profits, protecting certain markets or employing new technology that could prove dangerous, Pope Benedict XVI said. The pope made his comments in a message marking the Oct. 16 celebration […]
CRS renews Rice Bowl campaign as part of worldwide effort to end hunger
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Catholic Relief Services' popular Lenten Rice Bowl campaign is getting a new name and a new look. Now called CRS Rice Bowl, the program will encourage greater connection between Americans and millions of people around the world struggling to overcome hunger. CRS President Carolyn Woo also pledged $150 million from the agency during the next three years toward food, nutrition and agriculture programs. The pledge is part of a $1 billion effort by members of InterAction, an alliance of U.S.-based international humanitarian organizations.
Holiness and the spiritual battle
Oct. 17 The way of perfection passes by way of the Cross. There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle. Spiritual progress entails the ascesis and mortification that gradually lead to living in the peace and joy of the Beatitudes: He who climbs never stops going from beginning to beginning, through beginnings that have no […]
Maternity BVM School seeks alumni for celebration
Maternity B.V.M. School, 9322 Old Bustleton Ave. in Philadelphia, is having an Alumni Day Saturday, Nov. 3 beginning with 4:30 p.m. Mass in the upper church. There will be school tours, dinner, refreshments and a cash bar for beer and wine. We are looking for alumni to make this a success. Respond by Oct. 25 […]
Sister Patrick Marie Doherty, I.H.M.
Sister Patrick Marie, I.H.M., formerly Rose Kathleen Doherty, died in Camilla Hall Oct. 6 in the 64th year of her religious life. She was 81. Born in Littleton, Colo., Sister Patrick Marie entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1948 from St. Philomena Parish in Lansdowne and professed […]
Video series teaches confirmation prep for deaf, hard of hearing people
Catechists and others working with deaf people have a new tool for religious formation. The National Catholic Office for the Deaf (NCOD) has produced a video series titled “Strengthen in the Faith: Confirmation.” Teenagers and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing and are preparing to receive the sacrament of confirmation can now study […]