News
St. Cecilia Parish celebrates 100th anniversary
When St. Cecilia Parish was founded a century ago, there really weren’t many Catholics in the Fox Chase section of Philadelphia; it was mostly German Protestants, and for that reason its boundaries extended well into Montgomery County. Today it is one of the largest parishes in the city; and although the parish footprint is smaller, […]
Jesuit says Steve Jobs knew the value of communication
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Like Pope Pius XI, who founded Vatican Radio and built the Vatican train station, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs recognized the importance of expanding communication, a Jesuit told Vatican Radio. Jobs, 56, died Oct. 5 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Father Antonio Spadaro, the new editor of the influential Jesuit […]
Schools invited to compete for grants from Beneficial Bank Foundation
Beneficial Bank, the oldest and largest bank headquartered in Philadelphia, which has historically conducted programs aimed at schools, has announced “The Beneficial Foundation School Challenge,” which will provide area schools an opportunity to compete for grants to fund education improvement grants. Funds will be awarded to schools whose students develop a project concept that will […]
Healing of Springfield man key to Italian priest’s canonization
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Thanks to the healing of a young man from the United States, who was severely injured in a rollerblading accident, Italian Blessed Louis Guanella will be among three new saints proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI in late October. William Glisson, now 30 and married, was 21 years old when he and […]
New Jersey bishop discloses he will soon begin kidney dialysis
CAMDEN, N.J. (CNS) — Bishop Joseph A. Galante of Camden told Catholics of his diocese that he would soon begin dialysis treatment to combat worsening kidney disease. He said that despite the near-daily treatments, “this should enable me to be able to continue an active work schedule both in the office and for the celebration […]
Archdiocesan centers offer more than just meals for seniors
The four Senior Community Centers in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are a welcome place to come for a meal, and the opportunity to share time with others. The Senior Community Centers, however, offer much more to the 400 people they serve each day. The Senior Community Centers give those 60 years old and up an opportunity to engage in recreational activities, learn about health and nutrition, and understand aging issues while meeting their neighbors. They are vibrant and alive with caring staff, and the services they provide are free.
Deacon Day to be marked Oct. 8
Oct. 8, Deacon Day, will mark the 30th anniversary of the permanent diaconate in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Sixteen Hispanic men were the first ordained in 1971; the following year six African-American men joined their ranks. Just three decades later, the Church of Philadelphia can boast 268 permanent deacons; 207 are active in the Archdiocese, 11 are externs serving in another diocese, 45 are retired, three are inactive due to illness and two are members of religious orders.
18 Catholic colleges appeal parts of federal health care law mandate
Eighteen Catholic colleges have asked the Obama administration to exempt all religious individuals and institutions from being forced to participate in the federal mandate that health insurance plans cover contraceptives and sterilization.
Pro-life, family, justice workers urged to ‘give up turf’ to partner
Bishop Joseph A. Galante challenged leaders of Catholic pro-life, family life and social justice offices around the country to "tear down our cubicles" and "give up our turf" in order to model collaboration for the rest of the Church. The bishop of Camden, N.J., spoke July 25 at the close of the first day of a national conference in his diocese called "Life, Justice & Family: Partners in the New Evangelization."
After the flood … service
Why would 19 people show up at church on a Sunday wearing jeans, old shirts, gloves and big boots? Because they know what they’re doing. On Sept. 11, a crew of volunteers gathered at St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish in Yardley to — for the fourth time in six years —travel into flood-ravaged Yardley borough to help homeowners mop up and clean out.