News
Pope announces ‘Year of Faith’ to help renew missionary energy
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI announced a special “Year of Faith” to help Catholics appreciate the gift of faith, deepen their relationship with God and strengthen their commitment to sharing faith with others. Celebrating Mass Oct. 16 with participants in a Vatican conference on new evangelization, the Pope said the Year of Faith […]
Bishops’ pro-life official hails House passage of ‘Protect Life Act’
WASHINGTON — The Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) welcomed passage in the House of the ‘Protect Life Act’ (H.R. 358). Sponsored by Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-PA) and Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) and 144 co-sponsors, the Protect Life Act would apply longstanding federal policies on abortion funding, and conscience […]
At St. Helena, centuries-old artisanship brings new look to church
St. Helena in Blue Bell isn’t a new parish, it was founded in 1919, but its present church was built just seven years ago. When Msgr. Joseph Nicolo set out to decorate it with traditional artwork reflecting Old World craftsmanship, he knew just where to go. He’d first encountered Emanuel Utti in 1985 when he […]
Presentation BVM students plant pinwheels for peace
On Sept. 21 students from Presentation B.V.M. School took part in an international art and literacy project, Pinwheels for Peace by “planting” pinwheels. In past years they have placed messages of peace on the pinwheels.
US bishops’ agency denied federal grant to help trafficking victims
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Since 2006, the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services has helped more than 2,700 victims of human trafficking obtain food, clothing and access to medical care. That service has come to a halt because the agency recently learned it did not receive a new grant award for this work from the […]
Response to bishops’ document gives glimpse of coming political season
WASHINGTON (CNS) — It didn't take long for a number of different perspectives to come to light after the U.S. bishops reissued their 2007 document, "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship," with a new introductory note signed by the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the chairmen of nine USCCB committees.
Archbishop Chaput celebrates Sunday Mass at his parish
On Thursday, Sept. 8, at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, before a congregation composed of mostly Church dignitaries, priests, family and friends, Archbishop Charles Chaput formally took possession of his new Archdiocese. On Sunday, Oct. 9, at that same Cathedral Basilica, before a congregation of mostly ordinary people, Archbishop Chaput informally took possession of his new parish.
Annual Hispanic Heritage Mass draws 1,000 to Cathedral Basilica for joyful celebration
Hispanic Catholics from 20 different countries gathered at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul Oct. 9 as Archbishop Charles Chaput, OFM Cap., celebrated the annual archdiocesan Hispanic Heritage Mass. While most Spanish-speaking people in the Philadelphia area hail from Mexico and Puerto Rico, many others moved here from Spain, Columbia, Ecuador, Cuba, Costa […]
Gov. Corbett supports school voucher program, education reform
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett used a York, Pa. charter school on Oct. 11 as the venue to outline his agenda for education reform in Pennsylvania. Speaking at Lincoln Charter School he listed his four top education priorities: opportunity scholarships expanding the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC), improving charter school quality and accounting and more robust […]
School choice vouchers, tax credits touted by Gov. Corbett
Gov. Tom Corbett introduced an education reform package in Pennsylvania Oct. 11 that includes a pilot voucher program and an increase to the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) scholarship program. Corbett, a former teacher, said at a press conference in York that the focus in education reform needs to be “child, parent, teacher … and just in that order.”