
Local News
Catholic Teacher Seeks Life-Saving Gift of Living Kidney Donor
Christina Behan, who teaches at Queen of Angels Catholic School in Willow Grove, leans on the power of prayer and good will from family, friends, strangers, and young students as she awaits a kidney transplant.
Area’s Catholic, Jewish Teens Become Friends in Faith
Pope John Paul II High School in Royersford and Barrack Hebrew Academy in Bryn Mawr continued a decades-long Catholic-Jewish dialogue that helps students grow in understanding of one another.
Deacons Hear One of Their Own Speak of Serving Those With Mental Illness
Deacon Ed Shoener, whose own daughter died by suicide, told a gathering of permanent deacons how to minister to the 20% of parishioners struggling with mental health issues.

Photo features
See Scenes from the Easter Vigil Mass at the Cathedral Basilica
The liturgy was celebrated by Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez marking the Resurrection of the Lord with solemn beauty and joyful hope.
Good Friday: Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
See scenes from the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord April 3 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.
Chrism Mass at the Cathedral Basilica
The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Nelson Pérez on Holy Thursday morning, April 2. Numerous priests concelebrated and renewed their ordination promises.
Commentaries
Easter Isn’t Over: The Key to Communion, Reconciliation, and a More Welcoming Church
Writer Anne DeSantis proposes the virtue of affability as one way to carry the good practices of Lent into Easter and beyond, and to embody the spirit of a Church that invites all to deeper communion and holiness.
What it Means for Pope Leo to Receive the Liberty Medal
When the Holy Father receives the honor July 3, he will convey the importance of religious freedom and Catholic social teaching for the world, writes Philadelphia resident Basil Merenda.
Bend the Knee: How Genuflection Makes Missionary Disciples
We might kneel to the Caesars and creeds of our age, but dropping to a knee in church is the first act of Christian missionary formation, writes Father Patrick Brady. We learn to worship God alone so we can proclaim Him fearlessly.
Profile
Estela Reyes-Bugg to Retire After 30 Years of Saying Yes to Service
The Philadelphia resident has started new initiatives from community centers to Project Rachel to leading volunteers for Catholic Charities of Philadelphia, all with the compassionate love of Jesus in her heart.

People and Events
St. Hubert Hosts Inaugural Healthcare Careers Symposium
St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls hosted its inaugural Jefferson “Healthcare Careers in 1-2-3” Symposium on March 27, engaging more than 50 students in hands-on learning with Jefferson Health professionals.
Archbishop Pérez
Archbishop Pérez Extends Passover Greetings to the Jewish Community
In a letter to the Jewish community, the archbishop acknowledged that preparations for Passover come amid conflict and anxiety, and expressed the Catholic community’s shared hope for peace in the world and in every heart.
Sports
March Madness This Year Touts PCL Players, Legendary Coaches
Seven Philadelphia Catholic League high schools are represented among the men’s and women’s teams in the NCAA Division I tournaments starting this week.
Bishop Shanahan Announces New Varsity Girls’ Volleyball Head Coach
Bishop Shanahan High School announced Peggy Evans as its new varsity girls’ volleyball head coach, with her tenure set to begin in the Fall 2026 season.
Spirituality
In His Resurrection, Jesus Defeats Way of the World for Way of God
Msgr. Joseph Prior looks at how Pontius Pilate entered Jerusalem in splendor and how Jesus entered in humility to explain His triumph over death and His gift of salvation for all, which Christians celebrate on Easter Sunday.
Vatican News
This Week: Pope Appeals to World Leaders for Peace on Cusp of Easter
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 March 29, 2026 links to stories on VaticanNews.va.

Calendar of Events
Catholic Charismatic Conference Set for May 9
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal will hold the Catholic Charismatic Conference Saturday, May 9, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Epiphany of Our Lord Church in Plymouth Meeting.
Gianna Center’s 6th Annual Golfing for Gianna Set for April 20
Proceeds support the Gianna Center’s mission of providing compassionate, life‑affirming healthcare for women, couples, and families.
April 11 Workshop to Prepare Parish Leaders for Ministry in an Apostolic Age
Participants will explore how to shift from maintenance to mission and meet the team from the parish’s Missionary Hub.
USCCB
Archbishop Coakley Invites All to Join Pope Leo XIV’s Vigil for Peace in Midst of Threats of Increased Military Action in Iran
Evangelical-Catholic Dialogue Launched to Deepen Collaboration on One of the Most Pressing Issues of Our Time

Hispanic Catholics
La Resurrección que transforma: Una conversación de Pascua con el Arzobispo Pérez – La Voz de Dios April 5, 2026
En este episodio especial de Pascua de La Voz de Dios, Marianela conversa con el Arzobispo Nelson Pérez sobre el verdadero significado de la Resurrección en nuestras vidas hoy.
Obituaries
Sister Kathleen Patricia Haughey, Longtime Educator, dies at 94
Sister Kathleen Patricia Haughey, Sister of Notre Dame de Namur for 75 years, entered eternal life on February 22, 2026, at Notre Dame Long Term Care in Worcester, Massachusetts, at the age of 94 years old.

