News
Secretary for Catholic Education Richard McCarron announces retirement
Richard V. McCarron Jr., the top lay official for Catholic education in the Philadelphia Archdiocese, tendered his resignation last weekend. After serving as superintendent of schools before being named secretary for Catholic education in 2001, the 68-year-old McCarron will conclude 25 years in leadership with the archdiocese when his resignation becomes effective Feb. 1, 2013. “It is time for me to step down so that new leadership can guide and direct the mission of Catholic education,” McCarron said in a statement. “While it is difficult to step back from this role and from those whose dedication, commitment and passion for Catholic education have helped to mold thousands of students in the Catholic faith, I feel blessed for the opportunity to have worked with such devoted people.”
Archbishop Chaput receives anointing of the sick
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput and other Catholics received the anointing of the sick during Mass Sunday, Dec. 2 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. Father Dennis Gill and Msgr. Arthur Rodgers, rector of the Cathedral, administered the sacrament. Archbishop Chaput will undergo knee surgery on Tuesday, Dec. 4. He asks via his Facebook […]
La Salle University award goes to CRS for agency’s humanitarian efforts
PHILADELPHIA (CNS) — La Salle University gave one of its highest honors, the Signum Fidei Award, to Catholic Relief Services for its humanitarian outreach around the world. The university’s Alumni Association presents the award each year to an individual or organization “that has made noteworthy contributions to the advancement of humanitarian principles in keeping with […]
Is capitalism Catholic? A priest defends free-market economics
Father Robert Sirico insists that applying principles of the church's social teaching is a matter of prudential judgment, allowing for a range of legitimate approaches, including market-based solutions.
Advent music festival at St. Genevieve, Flourtown
The St. Genevieve Parish choirs and musicians will present a concert of sacred seasonal works on Sunday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. in the church located at 1225 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown. The second annual Festival of Lessons and Carols will include performances of traditional choral masterworks, uplifting Gospel arrangements and new pieces from international composers. The program features ample opportunities […]
Archbishop Ryan High presents ‘The Wizard of Oz’
Students from Archbishop Ryan High School in Northeast Philadelphia performed a dress rehearsal version of their fall play “The Wizard of Oz” for local grade school students on the morning of Nov. 30. The opening performance of the show was set to begin at 7:30 p.m. Two more performances will be on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 […]
A goat for Christmas? Thriving alternatives for less commercial gifts
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Should the Christmas shopping crowds, costs and commercialism be at odds with how one is trying to observe Advent and the celebration of the birth of Christ, there’s a burgeoning world of alternative ways of gift-giving that are vying for attention. * Angel trees or giving trees set up in churches, schools […]
Reading Vatican II as break with tradition is heresy, prefect says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Traditionalist and progressive camps that see the Second Vatican Council as breaking with the truth both espouse a “heretical interpretation” of the council and its aims, said the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. What Pope Benedict XVI has termed “the hermeneutic of reform, of renewal in […]
World Youth Day vigil, Mass to be in neighborhood known for its beaches
SAO PAULO (CNS) — World Youth Day organizers have chosen a spot in Rio de Janeiro’s Guaratiba neighborhood, nearly 60 miles from the city center, for the vigil and closing Mass July 27-28. Rio Archbishop Orani Tempesta announced the venue Nov. 28 during a preparatory meeting for World Youth Day, which will run July 23-28. […]
Vatican praises new UN status for Palestine, urges full sovereignty
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican praised a United Nations vote making Palestine a non-member observer state but called for full recognition of Palestinian sovereignty as necessary for peace in the region. One hundred thirty-eight member states voted Nov. 29 to boost Palestine’s status from “entity” to “non-member state” — the same status held by […]