News
Palestinian leader meets pope, Vatican secretary of state
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had a 50-minute private meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican Nov. 4. Conversations with Vatican officials stressed the need to increase dialogue in the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians.
Gomez: Church must proclaim Christ ‘boldly’ in response to ‘woke’ movements
The Catholic Church must "understand and engage" efforts that seek to redress injustice while denying God, said Archbishop José Gomez in a Nov. 4 message. He urged faithful to proclaim the story of salvation "with charity and confidence."
Holy hours, ‘holy hoops’ spread vocation awareness
The Philadelphia Archdiocese will mark National Vocation Awareness Week (Nov. 7-13) with prayer, dialogue and even a game of basketball to help young people heed the call to religious life.
Local missionaries set out to change culture for youth, young adults
Six members of the Culture Project International are bringing a message of hope, dignity and virtue to archdiocesan parishes and schools, with the blessing of Archbishop Nelson Pérez and a major grant from the Ambassador's Fund for Catholic Education.
Choirs to perform sacred music concert at cathedral
The Cathedral Basilica Choir and Archdiocesan Choir of Philadelphia will be collaborating with the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia to perform the Fauré Requiem on Friday, Nov. 12.
St. Charles Seminary to welcome new rector; Bishop Senior takes new role
Archbishop Nelson Perez announced Nov. 4 that Father Keith Chylinski will succeed Bishop Timothy Senior as rector July 1, 2022. The bishop will be chancellor, a new role focusing on transition to the new campus in 2024.
Sisters’ heads-up play leads Archbishop Wood to soccer glory
Ava DeGeorge launched a corner kick and her big sister Alyssa directed a header into the net for the deciding score as the Vikings defeated rival Archbishop Ryan, 3-1, for the Philadelphia Catholic League championship.
Grassroots effort calls on pope to canonize six Black sainthood candidates
Bishop Bruce Lewandowski celebrated a Mass in Baltimore for the feast of All Saints, at which a national campaign collected signatures in a letter to Pope Francis asking him to expedite canonization of Black Catholics.
East Timor bishop dies, receives country’s highest honor
A co-recipient of the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in achieving his nation's independence from Indonesia, Bishop Basilio do Nascimento died Oct. 30 at age 71. He was honored for "promoting Christian values ... for the sake of human dignity."
Accompany, pray for people with depression, burnout, pope says
"Sadness, apathy and spiritual tiredness" can dominate the lives of people "who are overloaded due to the rhythm of life today," said Pope Francis in a new video. "Let us try to be close to those who are exhausted, to those who are desperate, without hope."