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Funeral set for Father Raymond Himsworth, retired pastor
A priest who knew the name of each of his parishioners, he was the beloved pastor emeritus of St. James Parish, Elkins Park, where his funeral will be celebrated Dec. 12.
Pope proclaims year dedicated to St. Joseph
Pope Francis proclaimed a yearlong celebration dedicated to the foster father of Jesus. The pope said the saint is "an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble."
Pope says Catholics can receive plenary indulgence for Guadalupe devotion
With the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe closed for her feast to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Pope Francis said Catholics still can receive blessings Dec. 11 and 12 under certain conditions.
Virus halts Guadalupe processions, but not other ways to safely celebrate feast
The annual huge procession swirling through downtown Houston in honor of the Dec. 12 feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe has been canceled because of the pandemic, organizers said.
As pandemic devastates Latin America, pope prays to St. Juan Diego
Marked the feast day of St. Juan Diego Dec. 9, Pope Francis sought the intercession of the first Indigenous saint of the Americas, "whom Our Lady of Guadalupe chose as her envoy."
Immaculate Conception ‘a spiritual force’ during pandemic, says priest
The Dec. 8 solemnity, marking Mary's divine preservation from original sin, "allows God to prepare us for a new indwelling of his Son" during Christmas amid COVID, said Father Dennis Gill.
Seniors create messages of peace, beauty at Christmas
Older adults served by archdiocesan Catholic Housing and Community Services shared their artistic visions for the holiday in the agency's first-ever Christmas card contest.
New movie on ‘Rosary Priest’ more timely than ever, say local relatives
"Pray: The Story of Father Patrick Peyton" captures both the man and his message, according to Susan and Charles Reynolds of Presentation B.V.M. Parish in Cheltenham.
Trump, Barr urged to stop federal executions, recall God’s mercy during Advent
Federal executions are at odds with Advent as a season "of anticipated redemption" and must be stopped, said the chairmen of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' domestic policy and pro-life committees.
Vatican cardinal says confession by phone likely invalid
Despite the pandemic's limits on many people's ability to celebrate the sacraments, the head of the Apostolic Penitentiary confirmed "the probable invalidity of the absolution (of sins) imparted" through electronic means.