Profile
A look back on a life of leading the helpers’ of God’s children
Joseph J. Sweeney Jr. retired as head of the 2,300 employees of Catholic Human Services of the Philadelphia Archdiocese. He reflects on his La Sallian education and 31 years of service to the church.
Malvern Retreat chief steps down, but not out of Catholic life
A longtime teacher and educational leader, and former seminarian, James Fitzsimmons reflects on retirement from the oldest and largest Catholic retreat center in the country.
He’ll meet the pope, and one wonders, who is luckier?
Gerry Davis and his family will bring up the offertory gifts at a Mass with Pope Francis in Philadelphia. The pope will meet a devout Catholic family man who leads by example, as he was raised.
In foster families, time may be short but love is abundant
The sad truth is there are many children who are not born into a stable and loving family. The latest in our Faithful Families series looks at Catholic foster parents and the loving homes they provide for at-risk children, often for a limited period.
Sisters, married to Christ, live as a family in cloisters
Nuns living a sequestered life of prayer among a small band of companions become a new family. We take a look at four communities in the Philadelphia Archdiocese, part of our Faithful Families series.
How to make raising 15 children look easy
If you're inviting the Waltrich family of Hatboro over for a barbeque, you're going to need a bigger yard for all those kids, their spouses and 48 grandchildren. The latest in CatholicPhilly.com's Faithful Families series tells how Paul and Margaret Anne hadn't planned on such a big brood 55 years ago, but they made a hectic household a loving home.
New priest looks to draw Catholics back to church
Before his ordination last week, Father Joe Zaleski had left the seminary, worked in politics and taught in high school. Then he found his true calling and mission in the church.
Rebel and skeptic in college becomes a priest
Father Alex Gibbs, a newly ordained priest, walked away from the Catholic faith at Temple University. That's also where he found it again before finding his vocation, too.
Devotion to Mary leads to consecration, and now to priesthood
Once Rev. Mr. Addisalem Mekonnen made a personal consecration to Jesus through Mary, he began to hear the call to become a priest. That will happen this Saturday, May 16.
Language of love keeps family close, half a world apart
Given a chance, a deaf boy from Indonesia began to flourish in Philadelphia. The latest in CatholicPhilly.com's Faithful Families series reveals the opportunity and the perils of immigration, and one family's determination.