Local News
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary Announces New Master’s in Catholic Health Care Ministry
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary’s School of Theological Studies has launched a new Master of Arts in Catholic Health Care Ministry in collaboration with the National Catholic Bioethics Center.
All Sacred Moments of Mass Add to Divine Worship of God, Speaker Tells Seminary
Earlier this spring, author James Monti cited saints, popes, and 2,000 years of thinking on liturgical practices to urge preservation of the Catholic Church’s treasury of sacred liturgy, music, and holiness.
Summer Choir Camp at Cathedral Helps Kids Grow in Faith, Confidence in Fun Way
The Cantate Domino free camp July 13-16 helps 40 youth ages 7-15 develop their vocal skills, meet new friends, and learn to love liturgical music.
Archbishop Pérez
Statement of Archbishop Pérez Welcoming Pope Leo XIV’s First Encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez released a statement May 25 welcoming the Holy Father's first encyclical entitled “Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.”

Video Features
Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence
The Holy See has produced short videos, in English and Spanish, of Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas," on artificial intelligence.

Photo features
132 Students Honored at 46th Annual Academic Honors Convocation
The students, all of whom are ranked in the top 3% of their senior class, were honored for their academic achievement and dedication to their studies. See our photo gallery.
Archbishop Celebrates Pentecost Sunday Mass at Cathedral
During the Mass several adult Catholics received the sacrament of confirmation conferred by the archbishop.
Philadelphia Priests Gather in Hershey for Annual Convocation
More than 230 archdiocesan priests joined Archbishop Pérez and auxiliary bishops in Hershey, Pa., for the annual Priests’ Convocation focused on prayer, reflection and fellowship under the theme “Keep Them in Your Name.”
Vatican News
This Week: Rosary for Peace Set for May 30; World Reflects on Pope’s AI Warning
CatholicPhilly presents a weekly roundup of international news from Vatican News, the official news portal of the Holy See. The following report on the week of May 24, 2026 links to stories on VaticanNews.va.
Sports
Carroll Wins First PCL Softball Title in School History
The Patriots reprised their victory in April over perennial powerhouse Bonner-Prendergast – the Pandas’ only regular season loss – with a 5-0 championship clincher on May 22.
La Salle Captures Record 13th PCL Baseball Championship
The Explorers held on against a furious late-game surge and topped Conwell-Egan, 7-6 in the title game May 22. Their pitcher and catcher steadied nerves to focus on fundamentals.
Commentaries
Summer Novena at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish to Focus on Faith, Freedom
The Doylestown parish will feature a guest speaker on each of the nine nights of prayer from July 8 to July 16, the parish feast day. The faithful will ask the intercession of the Blessed Mother and renew trust in God’s providence.
Championing Health Through Presence and Care
Catholic Charities of Philadelphia’s Jennifer Rose says accompanying older adults—and her own father—taught her that caring for health is not just about treatment, but about dignity, faith, and walking with others through life’s most vulnerable moments.
Profile
Andrew Santoleri: Faithful Altar Server, Prayer Warrior, and Model of Holiness
The young man with Down syndrome keeps Jesus and the Blessed Mother at the center of his life, and his prayerfulness inspires his family, friends, and parishioners at St. Thomas the Apostle in Glen Mills.
Second Chances, New Beginnings: Building Futures for At-Risk Youth
Once a sixth‑grader expelled from school, Ken Whalen now helps Philadelphia teens build skills, confidence, and second chances through Catholic Charities of Philadelphia's Youth Skills Building Program.
Port Richmond’s Nativity B.V.M. Senior Community Center: Transforming Lives, One Visit at a Time
Jennifer Scornaienchi has spent more than two decades transforming the lives of older adults, offering community, compassion, and vital services through Catholic Charities of Philadelphia's Nativity B.V.M. Senior Community Center.
Families Open Their Hearts and Homes to People with Disabilities Through Catholic Charities of Philadelphia Program
Wendy Cadet helps lead Catholic Charities of Philadelphia’s Life Sharing Through Family Living program, giving children and adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities the chance to grow and thrive in loving homes.
Our New Priests
Power of Prayer, Personal Invitation Lead Montco. Man to Priesthood
Souderton resident Alexander Cross will be ordained a priest May 16 thanks to the encouragement of his best friend in college and the ardent prayers of his late pastor at St. Agnes Parish in Sellersville.
Intense Focus on Prayer, Service Led Seminarian to Cusp of Priesthood
Deacon Dominic Mirenda found the seminary’s Spiritual Year, with its disconnect from media, “the best year of my life.” After his ordination May 16, he’ll grow closer to God and help all souls get to heaven.
Doylestown Man Finally Will Serve People He Loves as a Priest
In college Deacon Charles Cappelli wondered if he could be a priest to bring Christ in the Eucharist to his friends. After his ordination May 16, he will be able to do that, just as Jesus fed the 5,000.
Priestly Calling Woven Throughout Deacon Thomas Cipolla’s Life
The Jenkintown resident began discerning his priestly calling as a boy asking his father to drive past the seminary’s Wynnewood campus. He will be ordained May 16.
Hope Kept Alive Deacon Declan Cole’s Boyhood Promise to Become a Priest
Doubts and other life options put the priestly vocation in question for the young Bucks County man, but a reliance on hope in Christ and on prayer have him ready for ordination May 16.
Sent With Mother’s Love From Nigeria, Called by God to Priesthood
When Deacon Jude Opara is ordained a priest for Philadelphia May 16 by Archbishop Pérez, he will have his mother’s image and cloth sewn into his vestment—a tribute to his African heritage and his Catholic faith.

Calendar of Events
Bell Ringing Against Gun Violence Set for June 5
The Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul will ring its bells June 5 from 1:00 p.m. to 1:10 p.m. in a united effort to raise awareness about gun violence in our community.
National Eucharistic Pilgrimage to Culminate in Philadelphia During July 2-5 Celebration
Events planned in Philadelphia include Holy Mass, a Eucharistic procession, continuous Eucharistic adoration at the Cathedral Basilica, service opportunities and additional devotional activities throughout the four-day gathering.
Cathedral to Host Novena Ahead of National Consecration to Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Cathedral will host a June 3-11 Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in preperation for the National Consecration of the United States.

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