News
New head of Black Catholics Office looks to get creative
The new leader of the archdiocesan Office for Black Catholics wants to evangelize the African-American community in creative ways. “People respond to what attracts them, especially in the black community,” said Bill Bradley.
High school baseball coach arrested
A Catholic high school baseball coach has been arrested in Philadelphia on nine charges including assault and corrupting the morals of a minor. Lou Spadaccini, 37, coached at SS. John Neumann Maria Goretti High School in South Philadelphia since 1995 as an assistant, and was head coach since 2006. The South Philadelphia resident was […]
Teachers ratify new contract
By Elena Perri The Secondary School System of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Association of Catholic School Teachers, Local 1776 have reached an agreement, and the contract was ratified today by high school lay teachers in the 17 archdiocesan high schools. Classes will resume tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 19. The new contract will give teachers […]
Mater Dolorosa Parish celebrates centennial
Mater Dolorosa, in the Frankford section of Philadelphia, observed its centennial Sept. 18 with a Mass celebrated by Philadelphia’s new Archbishop, Charles Chaput. It was officially founded as an Italian personal parish in 1911, but its history as a worshipping community traces back to 1908.
Archdiocesan social services programs singled out for national award
Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS) was one of three national programs singled out to receive the 2011 Catholic Charities USA/Annie E. Casey Family Strengthening Award, which was presented during the Sept. 18-21 Catholic Charities USA Annual Gathering and Poverty Summit held in Fort Worth, Texas.
Level best: Archdiocesan schools adopts Common Core Standards
When elementary and secondary students return to archdiocesan schools next month they will have a new learning program, one which is touted as better at preparing them for 21st-century careers. The Common Core State Standards Initiative is being implemented in archdiocesan elementary and secondary schools in the areas of English language arts and mathematics. Science […]
Cardinal urges theologians to teach faith to ‘famished’ young adults
While acknowledging that their primary job is not catechesis, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo urged young theologians to help educate their fellow young adults who are "hungry, starving for the word of God."
Vatican calls for improved medical care to combat maternal deaths
Scientifically, and not just morally, the best way to prevent maternal deaths is to improve the medical care offered to pregnant women, not divert needed resources into promoting contraception and abortion, a Vatican official said.
Two archdiocesan elementary schools recognized with national award
Corpus Christi School (Lansdale, Montgomery County) and Nativity of Our Lord School (Warminster, Bucks County) have been selected by the United States Department of Education as National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Knights of Holy Sepulcher welcome Archbishop O’Brien in ceremony
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Officials at the Vatican headquarters of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem welcomed U.S. Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien as their new pro-grand master. Archbishop Giuseppe De Andrea, the assessor of the chivalric organization, placed a gold chain and pendant around Archbishop O'Brien's neck and told him his new role "is like a chain that ties him to the Holy Land" and to the knightly order of the Holy Sepulcher.