News
Pope prays Christmas softens hardened hearts to bring peace, justice
In his Christmas blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world), Pope Francis called for compassion and cooperation in aiding those affected by "economic, geopolitical and ecological conflicts."
Christmas says, ‘You are loved,’ pope says in homily
The birth of Jesus reveals a divine love "changes lives" even when people have made "a complete mess of things," said Pope Francis at the Dec. 24 Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.
Bikers rev up Christmas for teens at archdiocesan home
The Delaware Valley Iron Indian Riders braved the cold on Dec. 21 to deliver toys to kids living at the St. Francis-St. Joseph and St. Vincent Homes for Children.
A Philadelphia story: Christmas Eve, 1941
A Philadelphia native, now living abroad, shares the story of his family's roots in the now closed Immaculate Conception Parish in Germantown, and of the Catholic faith that endures generations later.
Archdiocesan outreach ‘builds the blessings’ at Christmas
Teri Mitchell and the staff at Catholic Social Services' Bucks County Family Center involve parishes, family and friends in an annual toy drive that brightens the holiday for hundreds of area kids.
Faith leaders, nonprofit groups hail House repeal of ‘parking lot tax’
The measure, signed by President Trump on Dec. 20, eliminated a fee that would have required houses of worship and other nonprofits to pay a 21% tax on employee benefits such as parking spaces and transit subsidies.
NFL kicker’s friendship with teammate strengthens faith
While still at Georgia Tech, Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs was Christian "in name only," until he met fellow teammate Grant Aasen, who had rediscovered his own faith after a near-fatal football injury.
Smith, USCIRF welcome State Department report on religious persecution
Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom applauded the State Department's Dec. 20 redesignation of nine nations as "countries of particular concern" for "systematic, ongoing, egregious violations" against various faiths.
Trump rule separates billing for elective abortion from health coverage
The move requires health insurers to invoice customers for coverage of an elective abortion, apart from their premium for health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act. The head of the U.S. bishops' pro-life committee commended the administration "for enforcing the law."
Santa, priest and police ‘raise a holiday ruckus’ for archdiocesan agency
More than 30 Philadelphia Police officers and their families, led by Oblate Father Steven Wetzel and a jolly man in red, spread Christmas cheer on Dec. 19 to kids at a Catholic Social Services center in the city's northeast section.