CSS

Prepping for parenthood, thanks to parish and Catholic Social Services

More than 300 attended an Oct. 13 community baby shower at St. Raymond of Penafort Parish, as part of archdiocesan Catholic Social Services' ongoing outreach to thousands of expectant mothers in the Philadelphia area.

St. Raymond’s and Catholic Social Services host community baby shower

The free Oct. 13 event will feature parenting classes and resources for families, as well as music, raffles, face painting and refreshments. The outreach is part of CSS's ongoing mission to moms, which assisted more than 5,000 women last year.

Backpacks are a blessing at Casa del Carmen preschool

The agency of archdiocesan Catholic Social Services in North Philadelphia got its 73 3- and 5-year-old learners ready for the new school year with a blessing led by the pastor of St. William Parish.

Casa del Carmen preschool kids are blessed for success

The top-ranked academy, part of archdiocesan Catholic Social Services, gave students free backpacks filled with supplies and prayers for the new year. Area parishes rely on the partnerships CSS provides.

St. Edmond’s Home for Children wraps up summer in style

The summer tradition at the Catholic Social Services facility in Rosemont for youth with profound physical and intellectual disabilities capped eight weeks of fun with Mass and a cookout on Aug. 16.

Big splashes for little ones at annual Catholic Social Services picnic

Some 800 kids from the archdiocese's 12 Out of School Time (OST) sites enjoyed a day of fun in the sun at the July 20 event, now in its eighth year.

Moms-to-be get a budget bump at Casa del Carmen baby shower

Some 120 pregnant women and their families gathered for baby goods and information at a Northeast Philadelphia parish. Typically held quarterly at Casa's location, the July 14 event was the first at a parish.

Judge sees no religious bias against Catholic agency on same-sex foster care

A federal judge swept away claims of religious discrimination by archdiocesan Catholic Social Services and ruled it must provide home assessments for same-sex couples wishing to become foster parents in Philadelphia.

Nutritional Development Services kicks off nutritious, blessed summer

The "blessing of summer" event June 28 marked the start of the archdiocesan agency's summer meals program, which partners with federal and state resources to feed kids in the Philadelphia area.

Little learners, big goals at Casa del Carmen Preschool Academy

The school graduated its largest class ever in a June 22 ceremony at Holy Innocents Parish. The top-rated learning center provides culturally responsive education that prepares kids for kindergarten.