Photo features
Catholic League girls, boys basketball champions crowned
The Philadelphia Catholic League basketball championships were decided Feb. 25 at the famed Palestra in Philadelphia. In the evening's first tip-off, the Cardinal O'Hara girls edged the ladies of Archbishop Wood, 31-25. Both teams move into the District 12 playoffs this weekend. In the nightcap, Neumann-Goretti's boys ran past St. Joseph's Prep, 60-42. It was the Saints' fifth straight Catholic League title. (Photos by Sarah Webb)
Visitation B.V.M. Parish celebrates Vietnamese New Year
The Vietnamese community of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia celebrated their new year at Visitation B.V.M. Parish in North Philadelphia on February 10, 2013. The Tet Festival of 2013 is designated the year of the snake. The day began with mass at 9 a.m. and continued with singing, dancing, games, food and more. Staples of the celebration were the dragon dance and fireworks which symbolize scaring off the devil. (Photos by Sarah Webb)
2013 Catholic Charities Appeal kick-off event
Archbishop Charles Chaput led the launch of the 2013 Catholic Charities Appeal in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on Friday, Feb. 15 at Casa del Carmen, a family services agency of archdiocesan Catholic Social Services located in North Philadelphia. More than 80 programs, including the vast good works of CSS, benefit from the annual Appeal. See the Appeal website at CatholicCharitiesAppeal.org to learn more.
Catholics mark Ash Wednesday at Cathedral
Archbishop Charles Chaput was the principal celebrant and homilist for the Ash Wednesday Mass Feb. 13 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. See CatholicPhilly.com's photo gallery from the Mass, and learn about opportunities for the sacrament of penance and reconciliation in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia throughout Lent.
Celebrating Catholic schools in our Archdiocese
Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27 to Feb. 1, was celebrated in various ways through out the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The theme this year was "Catholic Schools Raise the Standards." Events ranged from prayer chains at Our Lady Port Richmond School, to Buddy Breakfast at St. Anastasia School, to a talent show at SS Simon and Jude School.
March for Life 2013
More than 2,000 Catholics from the Philadelphia area were among the vast throng in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 25 to witness for the sanctity of life, in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision declaring abortion legal in the United States.
Youths in the Archdiocese are heeding God’s call to follow Him
National Vocation Awareness Week is Jan. 13-19, a week intended to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education. Beginning in 2014 National Vocations Awareness Week will be moved to the first full week in November. See our photo gallery and learn about St. Charles Borromeo Seminarian David O'Brien and Sister Kimberly Miller, I.H.M., just two of the young people discerning their vocation to priesthood and religious life, respectively, in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Elizabeth, welcome to the Church
Elizabeth Nicholas joins the Christian faith as she is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit by Father Thomas Whittingham early this month at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish in North Wales. Elizabeth was joined by her mother and father, Katy and Vic, and by her Godmother, Teresa Davenport, plus other family and friends and the parish community. (Photos by Sarah Webb)
Solemnity of Mary at Our Mother of Consolation Parish
The Church celebrated the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on New Year's Day, Jan. 1. This is the oldest feast of Mary and a celebration of her motherhood of Jesus. Our Mother of Consolation Parish in Philadelphia's Chestnut Hill section is one of the many parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia named in honor of our Blessed Mother.
56th annual Archbishop’s Christmas Benefit for Children
More than 400 young people who receive services from one of a dozen programs within Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia gathered for the 56th annual Archbishop's Christmas Benefit for Children Dec. 18 at the Sheraton Center city Hotel in Philadelphia.