News
Vatican donates ventilators to hospitals in Syria, sets up emergency fund
The Congregation for Eastern Churches, thanks to a New York-based Catholic organization, will 10 ventilators to Syria and three to Jerusalem to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
Pandemic magnifies women’s ‘Nuns and Nones’ dialogue
The conversation between young women and elderly religious sisters has intensified as the coronavirus has revealed systemic injustice, a longing for community and more time for contemplation.
Online programs enable donors to help parishes weather pandemic storm
Dioceses across the U.S., including Philadelphia, have started special funds to allow donors to help parishes and Catholic ministries get through the economic crisis caused by rapid spread of the coronavirus.
Cantor’s voice raised hearts of viewers watching Masses online
Even without the Cathedral Choir, Marcelle McGuirk's soaring soprano presence uplifted hundreds of thousands of faithful watching the Masses of Holy Week and Easter at the cathedral.
Catholic high school students collect snacks for health care heroes
Seniors at St. Hubert's Catholic High School for Girls showed their appreciation for nurses at Abington Hospital by dropping off chips, cookies and encouragement as state infection totals climb.
Chromebooks keep Catholic school students learning at home
More than 700 students from 16 archdiocesan schools will receive computers to use online during coronavirus stay-at-home orders, thanks to a grant to the archdiocesan Office of Catholic Education.
Domestic violence ‘a pandemic within a pandemic,’ says Catholic psychologist
Coronavirus stay-at-home orders have increased isolation and anxiety, leading to spikes in family violence, says Catholic psychologist Dr. Christauria Welland. See a list of emergency numbers and resources.
Archdiocese’s Masses, videos seen by half-million local Catholics
More than 470,000 people have watched livestreaming Masses from the cathedral since mid-March. Along with the virtual Lenten retreat and Archbishop Perez's videos, almost 600,000 have enriched their Catholic faith.
Pope pens editorial on joy in the time of coronavirus
In his article "A plan to resurrect" in a Spanish magazine, Pope Francis wrote of the present and future world after the pandemic, and the need to respond with faith, hope and charity to the Lord's question, "Where is your brother?"
Italian bishops in talks with government on post-lockdown liturgies
As Italy makes plans for a gradual return to normality after the COVID-19 pandemic, the country's Catholic community is planning for resumption of public Masses, especially funerals.