CatholicPhilly

Local News

St. Elizabeth Honored as Only Catholic Blue Ribbon School in Pa.

The parish school in Chester Springs celebrated a “blue Christmas” with joy upon its recognition as an Exemplary High Performing School. The new state award replaces the federal awards cancelled after 43 years.

Catholic School Choirs Doubly Blessed in Christmas Competition

Notre Dame de Lourdes School in Swarthmore and Holy Innocents School in Philadelphia won a local radio station’s contest that garnered them thousands of dollars in prize money and an invaluable experience.

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Photo features

Closing Mass Honors 2025 Jubilee Holy Year

Hundreds of faithful gathered at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Dec. 28 as Archbishop Nelson Pérez celebrated the closing Mass of the 2025 Jubilee Year.

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Vatican News

This Week: Close of Jubilee Year, Calls for World Peace, Unity in Church

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 Jan. 5, 2026 links to stories on VaticanNews.va.

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Profile

From Rice Pudding to Renewal, Corona Finds Calling to Missionary Discipleship

Rooted in years of ministry, personal conversion, and a passion for evangelization, Nina Marie Corona steps into her new Missionary HUB role ready to meet people in their need and guide them back to God.

Deacon Mark Nowakowski Leads Phoenixville Parish, Making a ‘Welcoming Place’

As Parish Life Director of St. Mary the Assumption Parish, his administrative abilities will allow the priest to administer the sacraments offer pastoral care more fully. As a deacon, he is “focused on serving the people of the parish, to help them grow closer to Christ.”

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Spirituality

Jesus’ Baptism Reminds Us to Give Thanks for God’s Gifts

Life and love are not earned by us, nor do we take them, but we receive these good gifts from God with gratitude, writes Msgr. Joseph Prior on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. By our baptism, we share in the divine life.

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Commentaries

The ‘Little Way’ of St. Therese Endures as her Centennial Begins

100 years after the young French saint’s canonization, writer Brianna Dauby sees in a relative’s death that signs of hope, the way of holiness, and God’s graces continue today.

Jesus Delights in the Gift of Our Broken Heart, Which He Can Heal

What can we give to our newborn Savior? Writer Mark Griswold suggests we offer all that we have, our very heart, battered as it may be.

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USCCB

“I Promise Our Prayers and Our Solidarity at This Difficult Moment,” Says USCCB President Archbishop Coakley

U.S. Bishops Grant More Than $7.5 Million to Strengthen Nearly 70 U.S. Mission Dioceses

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Hispanic Catholics

La Epifanía: un encuentro que ilumina la Navidad – La Voz de Dios Jan. 4, 2026

En este episodio especial de La Voz de Dios, celebramos la hermosa fiesta de los Reyes Magos, recordando que la Epifanía es mucho más que una tradición: es el momento en que Dios se revela a todos los pueblos.

Conciencia, Gracia y Nuevos Comienzos con San John Henry Newman – La Voz de Dios Dec. 28, 2025

En este episodio especial de La Voz de Dios, Marianela Núñez nos invita a hacer una pausa sagrada para cerrar el año desde el corazón.

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Obituaries

Reverend John J. Sibel

Reverend John J. Sibel, retired, resident, Villa Saint Joseph, Darby, died on Friday, January 2, 2026.

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