Archbishop Pérez
Archbishop Pérez Mourns Passing of Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre Diocese
Bishop Murphy served the Archdiocese of Boston as a priest and auxiliary bishop before he was appointed Bishop of Rockville Centre, where he ordained Archbishop Pérez as a bishop in 2012.

Local News
Youth Ministry Directors Go Mobile to Meet Parish Leaders’ Needs
The archdiocesan Office for Ministry with Youth hosts Deanery Family Gatherings throughout the Philadelphia area to help strengthen faith and build connections among parish youth ministers.
Theme of Darkness, Light at SonRise Festival Readies Young Adults for Holy Week
It’s a predawn start for the young adults attending the event Saturday, March 28 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, which prayerfully explores how the light of grace can conquer sin and come into our lives at Easter.
A Holy Week Primer: Solemn Days Leading to Joy of Resurrection
The eight days beginning with Palm Sunday include the Sacred Triduum with two Masses on Holy Thursday, a Good Friday liturgy and the ancient traditions of Holy Saturday.
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.
Lauren Joyce Brings ‘Startup Energy’ to Missionary Hub in Phoenixville
The Chester County native leads the Missionary Hub at St. Ann Parish, where she sees the good work the Holy Spirit is accomplishing. She loves to build bold new ventures, evangelize those seeking connection, and build the flame of a relationship with Jesus.

People and Events
Artists to Unveil War‑Inspired Painting at Ukrainian Cathedral
Ukrainian artists will publicly unveil a large-scale collaborative painting Sunday, March 29 at 11:30 a.m. at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia, concluding a monthlong art project responding to the war in Ukraine.
Commentaries
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.
Student-Run Club Leads Praise of Jesus in Eucharist at Archbishop Wood
The archdiocesan high school in Warminster hosted FiatFest, which featured eucharistic adoration, confessions, prayers, music, and dancing. Theology teacher Rebecca Conte and other adults were moved by the expressions of faith.
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.
Veteran Assistant Amanda Kirby Steps Into Head Coach Role at Holy Ghost Prep
A longtime assistant coach and respected educator steps into a new role as Holy Ghost Prep prepares for its first full season in the Philadelphia Catholic League.

Photo features
Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Warminster, Welcomes Archbishop for Confirmation
Approximately 75 young Catholics received the sacrament of confirmation conferred by Archbishop Nelson Pérez during a March 26 Mass at the Bucks County Parish.
Photos: St. Patrick’s Day Mass and Parade Highlight Irish Traditions
Hundreds gathered to celebrate Irish tradition and heritage with Mass and a parade in Center City, Philadelphia.
Spirituality
Call to Faith in Jesus Comes From the Cross
Msgr. Joseph Prior explains the readings for Palm Sunday, which trace the suffering of Christ through Scripture to the crucifixion, where those who witness it come to believe in Him.
Vatican News
This Week: Ahead of Holy Week, Church Prays to Stop ‘Foolishness of War’
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 22, 2026 links to stories on VaticanNews.va.

Calendar of Events
Hearts on Fire: A Jesuit Lenten Retreat for Young Adults Set for March 21
This retreat offers young adults ages 21–39, held March 21 at Old St. Joseph’s Church in Philadelphia, a mid‑Lent opportunity for guided prayer, reflection, and fellowship.
Catholic Charities Night Returns to Citizens Bank Park for 13th Year
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Catholic Charities Appeal will team up with the Philadelphia Phillies on June 5 for its 13th annual Catholic Charities Night, with proceeds supporting Nutritional Development Services.
Renowned Irish Tenor to Perform Benefit Concert for IHM Sisters March 15
Join the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary for a benefit concert featuring Irish tenor Mark Forrest in the Sacred Heart Chapel at the Villa Maria House of Studies

USCCB
Evangelical-Catholic Dialogue Launched to Deepen Collaboration on One of the Most Pressing Issues of Our Time
Archbishop Coakley Welcomes Appointment of Archbishop Caccia as Apostolic Nuncio to the United States

Hispanic Catholics
Inmigración y dignidad humana: la voz de la Iglesia en Capitol Hill – La Voz de Dios March 15, 2026
En este episodio de La Voz de Dios, reflexionamos sobre la reciente visita de una delegación de la Arquidiócesis de Filadelfia a Capitol Hill para dialogar con legisladores sobre la realidad de la inmigración en Estados Unidos.
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.

