News
Sister M. Dolores Kraemer, I.H.M. dies at age 90
After entering the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1949 and taking the name Sister Michael Dolores, she spent 72 years in the congregation, all in teaching ministry.
Sister Kathleen Theresa Maguire, I.H.M. dies at 82
The Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died in the 65th year of her religious life. She taught in many schools of the Philadelphia Archdiocese and was pastoral minister in parishes and health care facilities.
Laypeople join religious order in ‘ministry of presence’ for terminally ill
For over 100 years in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, the Sisters Servants of Mary have kept overnight vigil with the terminally ill in their homes. Now five laypeople have joined the ministry in accord with the Gospel of Matthew: "I was ill and you cared for me."
Court ruling upholding Texas abortion law called ‘long-awaited victory’
The 2017 law effectively bans a common second-trimester abortion procedure called a D&E for "dilation and evacuation" by physicians. Texas uses the terminology "dismemberment abortion." The case is expected to be appealed to the Supreme Court.
High court orders Biden administration to restore ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy
The U.S. Supreme Court late Aug. 24 said a Trump-era immigration policy requiring asylum-seekers to be returned to Mexico and await adjudication of their cases -- despite dangerous and inhumane conditions there -- must be restored.
Masks to be mandated in all archdiocesan schools
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is requiring that face masks be worn by students, faculty, staff and visitors in all archdiocesan schools starting Monday, Aug. 30 before the start of in-person instruction Sept. 8 as a precaution against the spread of COVID -- especially by the unvaccinated.
Ministry to youth is a call to the whole church, leader says
Accompanying teens on their journey of faith is a task for all ages, even if it means "being OK with the mess" at times, said Marisally Santiago, director of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Office for Ministry with Youth.
Data needed to ‘find the core’ of rising violence in Phila., says counselor
As the city's homicide rate soars, Bette Kennedy of archdiocesan Catholic Social Services is studying troubled teens' anger, which runs "deeper than we think."
After brutal attack on husband, archdiocesan social worker calls for end to violence
"All I want is for this to stop," said Christine Torrisi-Lean following an Aug. 17 ambush by youth that has left her spouse Zach fighting for his life.
Archbishop says SNAP increase helps people meet ‘essential human needs’
The U.S. bishops hailed a recalculation of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Biden administration's 25% increase in the benefit for those in need -- the largest single increase in the program's history.