News
Parishioners look forward to public Masses with joy, anxiety
CatholicPhilly.com spoke with dozens of local Catholics in city and suburbs, and heard voices of eager anticipation of the return of public Masses June 6-7, along with apprehension for its effects on health.
Paoli parish’s volunteers put in hard work to feed the needy
St. Norbert Parish's Food Procurement Program has tripled the number of families it supports through weekly distribution of food at the church, thanks to team of creative parishioners.
St. Rita Shrine marks feast day with nationally televised Mass
EWTN, the global Catholic programming network, televised the May 22 Mass from the South Philadelphia shrine, celebrated by Archbishop Perez. St. Rita's life "is a reminder that with God, all things are possible,” said the priest homilist.
Catholic singles find each other despite COVID
A speed dating service that's helped some 30 couples to the altar so far moved online during the pandemic, keeping participants connected to each other and to God.
Trump calls for ‘essential’ houses of worship to reopen
Saying America needs "more prayer, not less," President Donald Trump May 22 directed the country's governors, although he lacks the authority to do so, to reopen churches, synagogues and mosques.
Colorado drive to end late-term abortion close to goal for signatures
Organizers of an initiative to prohibit abortion after 22 weeks said because support has been building in recent weeks they expected to get the 20,000 signatures needed by May 29 to put the measure on the November ballot.
Public Mass to resume June 5-6 in archdiocese
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced late Friday that Sunday and daily Masses will be celebrated publicly again in two weeks, since their suspension in mid-March to halt spread of the coronavirus.
Phila. police chaplain blesses hospital workers fighting pandemic
Oblate Father Steven Wetzel prayed over "hands raw from scrubbing" and "shoulders that carry the weight of life and death” at the city's Jefferson Torresdale Hospital on May 21.
PPP loans to parishes not as large, or as many, as believed
Some news media overstated how many of the 17,000 parishes in the U.S. received Paycheck Protection funds and the amounts, instead characterizing it as "this evil church getting money from the federal government."
The quiet pandemic victims: Those grieving death
Since funerals and family visitations are forbidden during the pandemic lockdown, there is no closure for surviving family and friends as the world focuses on getting through the current crisis.