Junipero Serra and his witness for today

Archbishop Charles Chaput spoke at the Serra International Convention June 22 in Mallorca, Spain. Francis of Assisi was not a man known for his dissembling about the Gospel. And Junipero Serra, his spiritual son, had the same burning zeal in all things related to Jesus Christ. The key question facing every Christian in every age isn’t whether the Christian faith is socially useful, or consoles us when we’re sad, or makes us nicer people. The key question is whether our faith is true.

Six women take vows as Little Sisters of the Poor

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York presided at the Mass of Religious Profession as six young women made their first vows as Little Sisters of the Poor on June 1 at St. Ann’s Novitiate in Queens Village, N.Y. The order of sisters operates Holy Family Home for the Aged at 5300 Chester Avenue in West Philadelphia.

For 48 years in Catholic schools, Chaykowsky made friends, influenced students

Forty-eight years is a long run in any profession. When Helen Chaykowsky, the principal at Archbishop Ryan High School, retires this month, that’s how many years she will have had in Catholic education. "I wish everyone could find a career that would make them as happy as I have been," she said. "I became the woman I am because of my experience. I loved every minute of it, and now I feel ready for whatever plan God has for me.”

Assignments for clergy in Archdiocese announced

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput announces 99 changes in assignment for priests and deacons in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Women religious uniting in nationwide effort to end human trafficking

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Human trafficking is so widespread that congregations of women religious are uniting in a nationwide effort to limit its reach. The effort will focus on broader education about sex and labor trafficking, legislative advocacy for stricter laws and penalties for traffickers and wider support for victims through much-needed social services and employment. […]

Village Square, a new Catholic contemporary concert series, welcomes Scythian

A party in a parish gym might not sound like the most thrilling thing in the world. I thought the same thing until early March when I went to a charity concert for the Little Sisters of the Poor at St. Mary Magdalene school gym in Media. The nationally touring band Scythian made the event a sell-out. The gym was transformed, as young people and old nuns alike, danced, sang and clapped. My friends and I agreed that it was one of the best times we ever had -- perhaps because it was so unexpected.

Friends remember Bishop McFadden as ‘kind of priest every priest should be’

Bishop Joseph P. McFadden will be mourned in Harrisburg, the diocese he led for almost three years. He will also certainly be mourned in Philadelphia, the archdiocese where he spent the first 63 years of his life. Joe McFadden didn’t enter the seminary straight from St. Thomas More High; instead he earned his degree at […]

Looking back on the full life of Bishop McFadden

(The following biography of Bishop Joseph McFadden was originally published Aug. 19, 2010 in The Catholic Standard and Times, the former newspaper of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.) Coincidences? Call it the plan of God; almost everything happens for a purpose. This should be perfectly clear to Bishop Joseph P. McFadden as he leaves Philadelphia to […]

Boston cardinal says all feel ‘deep sorrow’ for victims of explosions

UPDATE -- BOSTON (CNS) -- Within hours of two explosions taking place near the finish line of the Boston Marathon April 15, Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley sent a message of prayer and support for those injured, their loved ones and those who experienced the trauma of the tragedy. "The Archdiocese of Boston joins all people of good will in expressing deep sorrow following the senseless acts of violence perpetrated at the Boston Marathon today," he said.

Father of boy killed in bombings grateful for ‘thoughts and prayers’

BOSTON (CNS) -- The first name released of someone killed in the April 15 explosions at the Boston Marathon was that of 8-year-old Martin Richard, whose picture in newspapers showed him grinning broadly, apparently at his first Communion. Two bombs that exploded near the end of the marathon route, about four hours into the race, left at least three people dead and more than 170 injured. The Dorchester Reporter, the local newspaper in Martin's hometown, said his sister, Jane, 7, suffered a "grievous injury" to her leg and their mother, Denise, was critically injured.