News
Vatican donates masks to China to combat coronavirus outbreak
Since Jan. 27, the Vatican has sent up to 700,000 protective masks to three affected regions in China. "The whole world is standing together to fight the virus," said a Chinese priest in Rome.
Vows of religious women, men not sacrifices but freedom, pope says
Celebrating the World Day for Consecrated Life Feb. 1, Pope Francis urged women and men religious to be people of hope. He asked all Catholics to pray for them as they serve God and their brothers and sisters.
Frankford friars make infants, families feel welcome
Days before the celebration of Christ's presentation in the Temple, a local Capuchin community presented newborns and parents before the altar at a Jan. 15 Mass.
Catholic leaders put local food on the line for Super Bowl matchup
As the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for the gridiron on Feb. 2, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone and Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. have made a deal pitting Dungeness crabs against steaks.
Administration imposes travel restrictions on six African, Asian countries
In a Jan. 31 decision denounced by faith-based groups and immigration advocates, Nigeria, Kyrgyzstan, Tanzania, Eritrea, Sudan and Myanmar were added to a list of nations that "failed to meet minimum security requirements" for U.S. travel visas.
Diocese of Buffalo, N.Y., considering bankruptcy filing
Citing consequences from the abuse scandal, a financial statement lists a $5 million loss for fiscal year 2019. Albany Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, temporarily leading the diocese, said in a Jan. 30 statement that Chapter 11 is being considered.
Sister Ruth Ruster dies, was convert then religious for 66 years
After her family moved to Philadelphia and entered school, she converted to Catholicism at age 10. She later entered the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth and served until her death at 82.
Science, creativity meet at St. Michael School’s flower show
The parochial school in Levittown, Bucks County celebrated Catholic Schools Week with a flower exhibit and contest that joined horticultural science, history, art and even recycling through an innovative program.
At Villanova U, Vatican expert on abuse crisis speaks of trauma, progress
Jesuit Father Hans Zollner told an audience Jan. 29 how the church is grappling with “institutional traumatization,” its roots in clericalism and current responses including responsibility, accountability and transparency.
Center City parish hosts Sarum Vespers for Candlemas Eve
St. Patrick's Church in Philadelphia will celebrate a Feb. 1 solemn choral Vespers according to the medieval use of Sarum, the regional form of the Latin Rite used in England before the Reformation.