News
New wheels: Renault gives pope 2 all-electric vans
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Thanks to a French automaker and an Italian utility, Pope Benedict XVI now has a pair of all-electric minivans and a series of recharging stations with which to power them. Two custom-made editions of Renault’s Kangoo Maxi Z.E. cars were delivered personally to the pope Sept. 5 at the papal summer […]
Prayer service and blessing of new Mater Dei Catholic School
On Thursday Sept. 6 Archbishop Charles Chaput led a prayer service and blessed the new Mater Dei Catholic School at 493 East Main Street, Lansdale PA. Mater Dei Catholic School is one of the new regional schools of the archdiocese. It is formed from the mergers of Saint Rose of LimaSchoolin North Wales, St Stanislaus School in Lansdale, and part of Saint Maria Goretti in Hatfield. Students processed from the new school to Saint Stanislaus Church let by 8th grade student Mary Katherine Burger carrying the new school banner. At the beginning of the service students dressed as Saint Rose of Lima, Saint Maria Goretti, Saint Stanislaus (from their respected parishes), and Mary placed roses before the Blessed Mother statue as a symbol of their merger. During his homily Archbishop Chaput invited five students up to help him explain the meaning of the new school and their motto.
Archbishop Chaput reflects on his first year in Philadelphia
After his installation as shepherd of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s almost 1.5 million Catholics a year ago, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput immediately began to put out fires of the crises he’d inherited. Many of them where unprecedented in the more than 200-year history of the archdiocese: a severely contracting Catholic school system, collapsing Church finances, parishes under threat of closure or consolidation. Add to that the ongoing fallout of the priest sexual abuse scandal that saw priests on trial in criminal court, priests whose ministerial status remained in limbo and priests who were overstretched and just plain demoralized. “I’d like to set fires rather than put them out,” said the archbishop, who sat for an interview with CatholicPhilly.com days before his Sept. 8 one-year anniversary as head of the Archdiocese. “The Lord has given me a lot of fires to put out, where my preference is to light fires.
Father Groeschel apologizes after rebuke for comments on sexual abuse
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Father Benedict Groeschel, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal who has long been a popular speaker and television personality, apologized Aug. 30 for interview comments he made that were published online two days earlier, saying that "in a lot of cases" the victim of child sexual abuse is "the seducer." Father Groeschel also had said priests who have committed abuse just one time should not go to jail.
First day of school for students with disabilities
Sr. Margaret Fleming IHM, principal, along with Jacqueline Coccia, Superintendent of Elementary Schools, and H. Edward Hanway, Chairman of the Faith in the Future Foundation, greeted students as they arrive for their first day of school on Sept. 5 at St Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairments and Archbishop Ryan School for the Deaf which are locate at 4251 L St., Philadelphia. The 2012-2013 school year marks the 100th anniversary of Archbishop Ryan School for the Deaf.
‘Humble, faith-filled’ Deacon Kruckenberger, of Hatboro parish, dies
Deacon William F. Kruckenberger, 75, a permanent deacon formerly assigned to St. John Bosco Parish in Hatboro, died Aug. 27. Born in Philadelphia, the son of the late William and Katharine (Blum) Kruckenberger, he was married to the former Kathleen Cooper for 54 years. Originally from St. Bernard Parish in Philadelphia, he was a graduate […]
Innovative Catholic high school opens in Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s newest and most innovative Catholic high school, Cristo Rey (Christ the King) Philadelphia, received a formal baptism through an Aug. 31 Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated by Archbishop Chaput at Our Lady of Hope Church on North Broad Street. The parish’s former school now houses Cristo Rey. What sets it apart from any […]
Clergy assignment changes announced
Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia, announces the following appointments effective as noted: RETIREMENT Reverend Donato P. Silveri, while remaining as the Catholic Chaplain at Southeastern Pennsylvania Veterans Center with continued residence at St. Joseph Parish, Spring City, effective September 1, 2012 PASTORS Reverend Leo P. Oswald, from Parochial Vicar, St. […]
Why are workers losing ground? For one, it’s the economy
James Carville coined the phrase in the 1992 election year, “It’s the economy, stupid,” and like microphone feedback the mantra has just gotten louder and stronger with the passage of two decades. In his Labor Day message (English | Spanish), Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, Bishop of Stockton and chairman of the Committee on Domestic Development […]
Archbishop Chaput blesses new Cristo Rey School
Archbishop Charles Chaput opened the school year of the new Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School at 5200 N. Broad St. on Aug. 30, with Mass followed by a blessing of the school entrance where students lined the path. Cristo Rey Schools offer a unique curriculum that combines academics, extracurricular activities, and corporate work experience to […]