News
Blue Ribbon Commission on Catholic Education: Final report to be released
In December 2010, when Cardinal Justin Rigali announced the formation and membership of a Blue Ribbon Commission to chart the future course of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, it was charged with examining current programs with the objective of defining a strategic plan that would assure a sustainable Catholic education system into the […]
At Neumann-Goretti High School, the Apples are for the students
Apples for the teacher are a long tradition. How about Apples for the students? You’ve got to hand it to the class of 1960 at what was Bishop Neumann High School. When they celebrated their 50th anniversary they asked what is now SS. John Neumann and Maria Goretti High School to suggest a purpose for […]
St. Joseph Prep students collect 22,000 books for book bank
Adrienne Jacoby, executive director of Philadelphia Reads accepted 22,000 new and gently used children’s books collected by Joseph Coyle’s English class at St. Joseph Preparatory Academy. The Dec. 21 donation is the single largest donation of books to the Book Bank — a free teacher book store operated by Philadelphia Reads.
For Pope, 2011 was year of evangelization, travel and technology
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — An interfaith meeting in Assisi, a new book on Jesus of Nazareth and a website-launching tap on an iPad were among the highlights of 2011 for Pope Benedict XVI. Although the year saw a further cutback in individual papal audiences, the 84-year-old Pope still enjoyed a productive and busy 12 months, […]
Midnight Masses canceled in Iraq because of growing security concerns
LONDON (CNS) — Chaldean Catholic officials have canceled traditional Christmas Eve midnight Masses because of security risks. Chaldean Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk in northern Iraq told the agency Aid to the Church in Need that Christians will spend Christmas in “great fear” because of the risk of new attacks.
Youth perform “Live Nativity” at St. Robert Parish
On Thursday, Dec. 15, the St. Robert Bellarmine Youth Ministry Program in Warminster presented “Live Nativity – The Christmas Story Comes to Life.” The main cast and crew included students from St. Joseph/St. Robert School, PREP, and parish youth through 12th grade. Supporting cast consisted of live sheep, donkeys and llamas. […]
More than 1,000 attend Cardinal John Foley’s funeral Mass
One thing was crystal clear at the Dec. 16 funeral for Cardinal John P. Foley, 76, at Philadelphia’s Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. The man was loved. Technically the thousand or so at the Mass were mourners, but the word just doesn’t seem to fit, because it was basically a happy gathering remembering […]
Pope advances sainthood causes of Marianne Cope, Kateri Tekakwitha
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI advanced the sainthood causes of Blessed Marianne Cope of Molokai and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. He also formally recognized the martyrdom of 64 victims of the Spanish Civil War and advanced the causes of 18 other men and women. During a meeting Dec. 19 with Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect […]
A loving remembrance of John Cardinal Foley
Click on links to 35 articles, reflections, photo galleries and videos about the late Cardinal John P. Foley’s life and his enduring legacy. In the CatholicPhilly.com’s comprehensive package: Funeral coverage, obituary, statements from Pope Benedict XVI and Archbishop Charles Chaput; and homilies by Auxiliary Bishop Daniel Thomas and New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, plus video […]
Parish schools demonstrate season’s spirit of giving
In Holland, St. Bede the Venerable students visited homebound parishioners during the annual Advent Day of Prayer Dec. 13. Seventh grade students joined seniors for lunch; kindergarteners and eighth grade students sang Christmas carols after the meal.