Diocesan News Highlights

Diocesan teacher biking across the country for Catholic education
May 21, 2013 - When Rebecca Gonzalez dismisses her students from Notre Dame of Bethlehem School for summer break she plans to continue bettering their education by putting her foot to the pedal. Like m...
Recognize your sin, ask forgiveness, pope says at Mass
May 20, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The key problem in everyone's relationship with God is not that they sin, but that they are not ashamed of their sin and don't ask forgiveness, Pope Francis said. I...
Parishioners mobilize after tornado wreaks havoc in northern Texas
May 17, 2013 - GRANBURY, Texas (CNS) -- "Overwhelmed." That's how relief volunteer Julie Lyssy described the families who sought shelter inside St. Frances Cabrini's Family Life Center after a tornado ...
Tens of thousands march for life in Rome
May 15, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- U.S. Cardinal Raymond L. Burke and U.S. pro-life leaders joined tens of thousands of demonstrators in Italy's third annual March for Life May 12, which ended with a...
Vatican commissions art for display at Venice international exhibition
May 15, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After years of discussion and at least one failed attempt, the Vatican will open a pavilion at the 2013 Venice Bienniale, a major international contemporary art exh...
Dinner raises scholarships, celebrates legacy of Catholic University
May 15, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In March, they came together to help elect a new pope. In May, several American cardinals came together to help support scholarships for students attending The Cathol...
Focusing on self rather than Jesus makes prayer boring, pope says
May 14, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- If a person's prayer life is boring, that generally means that he or she is focused too much on the self and not enough on Jesus and the needs of others, Pope Franc...
Witnessing about the good works made possible by the Bishop’s Annual Appeal
May 13, 2013 - Lay witnesses spread the word about the good works done by the Bishop's Annual Appeal (BAA) on two weekends in April, shining a light on how diocesan faithful can help those most in need. ...
Pope asks French Catholics to open doors to poor, suffering
May 10, 2013 - LOURDES, France (CNS) -- Pope Francis asked Catholics in France to ensure their parishes have "open door" policies so that anyone seeking a listening ear or a helping hand can find it in...
Increasing number of men pursuing 'delayed vocation' to the priesthood
May 10, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In the parable of the vineyard in the Gospel of Matthew, "I'm the guy who was hired at 3 o'clock in the afternoon," said Deacon Michael Fragoso. A pediatrician for 24...
Diaconate candidates receive Rite of Acolyte, Reader
May 10, 2013 - "During this Mass we will concentrate on three men receiving special ministries in the church," said Msgr. Gerald Gobitas, who instituted one man as an acolyte and two men as readers at a m...
Through blogs, Catholic moms share their faith as 'digital disciples'
May 09, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- One of Mary's titles is "Christ's First Disciple," and some of Christ's earliest followers were women, two of whom he appeared to first after his resurrection. Now, s...
Bishop celebrates Mass for Phoebe Home residents
May 08, 2013 - "Thank you for the crosses you carry and for your beautiful witness of love that is so powerful to the Catholic Church," said Bishop of Allentown John Barres May 6 during a pastoral visit t...
Pope tells sisters the church needs them, they need the church
May 08, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis told 800 superiors of women's orders from around the world that the Catholic Church needs religious women and that religious women need to be in harmon...
Reading Berks March for Life defends life and religious liberty
May 06, 2013 - "We are the hope of humanity for the 21st century," said Bishop of Allentown John Barres April 28 to an estimated 400 supporters of life at Berks Catholic High School (BCHS) before they emb...
Pope: People have guts to be ambitious; instead, be courageous for God
May 03, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- People are courageous in pursuing their careers, personal ambitions and jealousies, but they really should be using that courage to believe in the resurrected Chris...
School-choice movement gains slow but steady momentum
May 03, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- School-choice initiatives -- akin to the quiet students in the back of a classroom -- have kept a relatively low profile in recent years while steadily working their ...
Oregon Catholic man bares his soles in solidarity with world's poor
May 03, 2013 - PORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) -- Every step Roberto Santiago takes -- on numbing winter sidewalks, sharp-edged gravel pathways and feathery grass fields -- he walks in solidarity with the poorest...
Cardinal Dolan asks for prayers for kidnapped Orthodox clergy in Syria
May 02, 2013 - NEW YORK (CNS) -- Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan challenged Massgoers to hold onto hope and to pray for the safety and well-being of two Orthodox archbishops kidnapped in Syria in late April ...
Pope Francis welcomes retired Pope Benedict back to Vatican
May 02, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- For the first time in history, the Vatican is home to a pope and a retired pope. Pope Francis welcomed his predecessor, retired Pope Benedict XVI, to the Vatican Ma...
Hospitalized N.Y. dad gets to see daughter's first Communion
May 02, 2013 - ROCHESTER, N.Y. (CNS) -- Confined to Strong Memorial Hospital as he waits for a heart transplant, Timothy Day of Kenmore, N.Y., wasn't going to be able to attend his 8-year-old daughter Eri...
Strong faith is key to church unity, says doctrinal congregation head
May 01, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The unity of the Catholic Church rises or falls to the degree that its members uncompromisingly hold firm to the faith transmitted by the apostles, said Archbishop ...
‘Planning for Dynamic Youth Ministry’ workshop focuses on joy
Apr 30, 2013 - “There is a great joy in serving the Lord through youth ministry. You are here today because there was a stirring within you and you answered that deep call from God,” said Abbi...
Becoming worldly, weak is church's biggest threat, pope says
Apr 30, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The biggest threat to the church is worldliness, Pope Francis said in his daily morning Mass homily. A worldly church becomes weak, and while people of faith can lo...
President of the Catholic League discusses ‘secular trend’ and ‘Why Catholicism Matters’
Apr 26, 2013 - "Why Catholicism Matters" was the focus of Bill Donohue's presentation at a Symposium on Faith and Religion, a town hall discussion highlighting the Year of Faith April 24 at DeSales Univer...
Vatican official says July trip to Brazil being tailored to new pope
Apr 25, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Visiting Rio de Janeiro, the chief organizer of papal trips confirmed Pope Francis will participate in the key events of World Youth Day July 23-28 and he said othe...
Education key to globalization, says Christian Brothers' superior
Apr 25, 2013 - MORAGA, Calif. (CNS) -- Brother Alvaro Rodriguez Echeverria, superior general of the Christian Brothers, stressed the need for all people to have access to education during an April 24 g...
Alumni honored for first time along with Bishop’s Scholar Society
Apr 25, 2013 - It was a celebration of Catholic education at Alvernia University, Reading April 20, as some of the diocese's brightest students were honored at the annual Bishop's Scholar Society Awards C...
One cannot follow Jesus, love Jesus without the church, pope says
Apr 24, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Following Jesus means belonging to the church, the community that gives Christians their identity, Pope Francis said. "It is not possible to find Jesus outside the chu...
‘Women of Grace’ founder conveys authentic femininity to diocesan women
Apr 23, 2013 - "The evil one knows that if he brings woman down – he can bring down the entire civilization," said Johnnette Benkovic, host of EWTN (Eternal World Television Network) "Women of Grace...
Damaged Texas town swarmed with assistance, prayers, reporters
Apr 22, 2013 - WEST, Texas (CNS) -- The small town of West has been flooded with donations, disaster response teams, volunteers, news media and, perhaps most importantly, prayers since an explosion at ...
Hope in the face of grief at We Are Remembered Mass
Apr 19, 2013 - “A ministry of tears and hope” is how Father James Torpey described the We Are Remembered Ministry. Indeed, faith shines a light of hope on the tears of those grieving a ...
Catholic Charities leaders plead for needs of poor with Congress
Apr 19, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The picture on Ted Bergh's cellphone showed a long line of people winding around Springfield Central Catholic School in western Ohio. They were there April 13 to get ...
Pope calls for prayers for victims of Texas factory explosion
Apr 18, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis called for prayers for the victims of a deadly explosion in Texas. In a short message sent from his @Pontifex Twitter account, the pope told the more than...
Best defense against sin, temptation is Jesus, pope says at audience
Apr 17, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Surrounded by the devil's temptations and being susceptible to sin, people can always find help, support and forgiveness in Jesus Christ, Pope Francis said at his week...
Pope Francis wishes Pope Benedict happy birthday
Apr 16, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis offered his early morning Mass as a prayer for Pope Benedict XVI on the retired pontiff's birthday, then phoned his predecessor later to personally convey...
Pope offers prayers for victims, first responders in Boston
Apr 16, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis responded to the bombings in Boston by invoking peace for the souls of the departed, consolation for the suffering and strength for emergency and medical ...
Boston cardinal says all feel 'deep sorrow' for victims of explosions
Apr 16, 2013 - 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, ...
‘Faith Alive’ ponders obstacles, mercy and importance of Mass
Apr 15, 2013 - A teen embracing life with a highly functional form of autism and a mood disorder answered two very important questions April 7 for her peers during “Faith Alive” at St. Kathari...
Pope names international panel of cardinals to advise on Vatican reform
Apr 15, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Amid rising concerns about corruption and mismanagement in the central administration of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis named an international panel of cardinals...
Explaining ‘Where Is That in The Bible?’ focus of pro-life sessions
Apr 12, 2013 - "As Catholics, we believe Christ is ultimately the key to the Scriptures," presenter Father Kevin Bobbin told those gathered for "Where Is That in The Bible? The Scriptural Basis for a Pro-...
Pope thanks U.S. foundation for fight against poverty, work for peace
Apr 12, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In a written greeting to members of the U.S.-based Papal Foundation, Pope Francis said he was "deeply grateful" for their work against poverty and on behalf of peac...
Holy Week solemnly observed in diocese [Photo Gallery]
Apr 12, 2013 - Holy Week 2013 photos //
On the farm or battlefield, Kansas priest gave 'totally of himself'
Apr 12, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The legacy of Army chaplain Father Emil Kapaun endures because of the men who knew him on the battlefield and in a prison camp during the Korean War, said the spokesm...
‘Project Life and Liberty’ launches April 21 to protect religious freedom
Apr 11, 2013 - Bishop John Barres signs the first postcard for “Project Life and Liberty” from the Diocese of Allentown to be sent to local and state officials. (Photo by John Simitz) T...
Spanish explorer's 'greatest gift' to Florida was faith, says bishop
Apr 11, 2013 - ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (CNS) -- Bishop Felipe Estevez of St. Augustine paid tribute to Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon at a special Mass marking the 500th anniversary of him landing on ...
Being Christian means acting, loving like Christ, pope says at audience
Apr 10, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A Christian isn't a person who simply follows some commandments, but is a person who tries to think like Christ, "act like him, love like him," Pope Francis said at...
God's love is source of salvation, dignity, hope, pope says at Mass
Apr 10, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- God's love is the source of salvation, true dignity and hope, Pope Francis said in a brief homily at his morning Mass. "It's beautiful to believe in love. This i...
Sisters overjoyed at approved miracle that paves way for beatification
Apr 10, 2013 - COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CNS) -- Mother Maria Theresia Bonzel, foundress of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, will be beatified Nov. 10 in Paderborn, Germany, accordi...
Diocesan parishioner to train as fair trade ambassador
Apr 10, 2013 - Laura Ross A parishioner of St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring has been accepted into a training program to help promote conscious consumerism of goods and products that fairly comp...
Pope, U.N. head meet, discuss crises in Syria, Korean peninsula
Apr 09, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Recognizing the important role each other plays on the global stage, Pope Francis and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met at the Vatican April 9, discussing comm...
God's people are 'hungry for holiness,' archbishop tells new auxiliary
Apr 09, 2013 - ATLANTA (CNS) -- The ordination of a native son of Georgia as an auxiliary bishop for the Atlanta Archdiocese is a reflection of the ongoing growth of the Catholic population of the South...
Global and local challenges explored during ‘Who Is My Neighbor’ workshop
Apr 09, 2013 - "Programs to help the poor, the sick, the elderly and the unborn are a main focus of our work, and they aid neighbors that are often forgotten and overlooked," said Dr. Robert O'Hara, execu...
Catholic educators focus on technology at annual convention in Houston
Apr 08, 2013 - HOUSTON (CNS) -- More than 8,000 Catholic educators at the annual National Catholic Educational Association convention April 2-4 in Houston included catechists, teachers and administrato...
Pope expresses his closeness to victims of flooding in Buenos Aires
Apr 05, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Affirming his closeness to his "beloved Argentine people," Pope Francis offered his prayers for the victims of recent flooding in Buenos Aires and surrounding areas...
In Argentina, some hope new pope brings Catholics back to churches
Apr 05, 2013 - BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (CNS) -- Rafaela Gonzalez spent the wee hours of March 19 watching the installation of the first Argentine pope on the big screens outside the city's cathedral...
Small town celebrates 31 years of dedication to Divine Mercy
Apr 05, 2013 - SAUK CENTRE, Minn. (CNS) -- Many people come to Sauk Centre to visit the birthplace of famed novelist Sinclair Lewis, but four local men would argue that the small community can offer so...
Pope's election puts new focus on Jesuits' role within the church
Apr 05, 2013 - NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CNS) -- The election of Pope Francis, the first member of the Society of Jesus to rise to the papacy, "has been one long infomercial" for the order, said Jesuit Father ...
Learning about ‘Cosmic Origins’ in the Year of Faith
Apr 03, 2013 - "Cosmic Origins," a film exploring how we came to be through God, our creator, was screened March 27 at DeSales University, Center Valley, as part of the Year of Faith. The event was spo...
Sainthood candidate always had 'a missionary heart,' nephew says
Apr 02, 2013 - LA CROSSE, Wis. (CNS) -- The sainthood cause for Father Joseph Walijewski, a La Crosse diocesan priest who established a Bolivia parish and a Peru orphanage on behalf of the diocese, has...
Pope urges Catholics to let grace transform, work through them
Apr 01, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Catholics must allow the grace of their baptism and of the Eucharist to transform their lives and make them instruments of God's grace in the world, Pope Francis sa...
At Easter pope calls Christians to be channels of mercy, justice, peace
Apr 01, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With Jesus' resurrection "love has triumphed, mercy has been victorious," Pope Francis said in his first Easter message "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world). ...
Advocates working to keep needs of poor foremost in U.S. budget debate
Mar 28, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- On Capitol Hill, when it's spring it's time to debate the federal budget. Republicans and Democrats set spending parameters for fiscal year 2014 by adopting two stark...
Keeping Catholic in Catholic social teaching
Mar 27, 2013 - "Remember to keep Catholic in Catholic social teaching," said Father Kevin Bobbin, presenting "Foundations of Catholic Social Teaching" at the second session of a series on "Catholic Social...
Listening to Christ in the silence at Lenten Regional Eucharistic Holy Hours
Mar 26, 2013 - "The passion of Jesus is our reality," said Father Scott Ardinger, homilist at a Eucharistic Holy Hour March 20 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall. "I hope you really do receive a gr...
Bishops remind Congress that poor must be first in budget priorities
Mar 21, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The needs of poor and vulnerable Americans must remain at the top of the country's spending priorities as Congress debates the federal budget in the coming weeks, the...
Pope Francis calls his predecessor, wishing him happy name day
Mar 20, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis telephoned retired Pope Benedict XVI, the former Joseph Ratzinger, to wish him a happy "name day" on the feast of St. Joseph. Pope Benedict has been fo...
Bishop Barres and diocesan faithful give thanks for Pope Francis
Mar 15, 2013 - An estimated 500 faithful streamed into the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown March 14 to welcome Pope Francis as the new pontiff and offer prayers to rebuild the church. Bi...
World offers words of hope, joy to Pope Francis
Mar 15, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Catholic leaders worldwide expressed words of hope and joy in calling upon Catholics to come together as one body behind the papacy of Pope Francis. International pol...
Catholic organizations welcome selection of Pope Francis
Mar 15, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Leaders of organizations established to put the Catholic faith into practice and to establish a more just society welcomed Pope Francis as the church's new pontiff. S...
New pope 'figure of unity' for all Catholics, says USCCB president
Mar 15, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, congratulated the newly elected pope, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of B...
Argentine priests in Washington cheer choice of countryman as pope
Mar 15, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- For any Catholic living west of the Atlantic Ocean or in the Southern Hemisphere, it must seem impressive to have someone from that particular region chosen as pope f...
Crowd in St. Peter's Square joyously welcomes Pope Francis
Mar 13, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The tens of thousands of rain-drenched pilgrims who filled St. Peter's Square March 13 joyously cheered the new leader of the church, Pope Francis. Cheers of "Franc...
Remembering Christ’s passion through the Shroud of Turin
Mar 13, 2013 - One of the final gifts bestowed on the world by Pope Benedict XVI before his resignation was the topic of conversation March 13 during Theology on Tap at Revolutions at Saucon Valley, Bethl...
What happens when cardinals elect a pope
Mar 13, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The 115 cardinals participating in the conclave will know the identity of the new pope before the rest of the world, but their advance knowledge is likely to last f...
Whole church called to enter conclave in prayer, archbishop says
Mar 12, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although there will only be 115 cardinals in the Sistine Chapel voting for a pope, the whole church joins them in prayer and expectation, said the archbishop who sp...
Catholics called to take action to make kingdom 'visible' in world
Mar 12, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In his book "Faith That Transforms Us: Reflections on the Creed," Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl encourages Catholics to pray, reflect and then act on the Nicene Creed that...
Poll shows U.S. Catholics give Pope Benedict high marks for ministry
Mar 11, 2013 - NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CNS) -- A telephone survey commissioned by the Knights of Columbus found that U.S. Catholics think favorably of Pope Benedict XVI, who retired in February. The Marist p...
Voting for new pope to begin March 12
Mar 08, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Cardinal electors assembled in Rome will begin voting for the next pope March 12. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, announced the date for the ...
Cardinals need time to talk before conclave, spokesman says
Mar 08, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- When 115 cardinal electors gather in the Sistine Chapel for the conclave to elect a new pope, they will be praying and voting four times a day. The conclave schedul...
Catholic church in 'heart of a new Brooklyn' named co-cathedral
Mar 08, 2013 - BROOKLYN, N.Y. (CNS) -- In one of his final acts as pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI designated St. Joseph Church in Prospect Heights as a co-cathedral for the Diocese of Brooklyn. "Since my a...
No conclave date, but cardinals develop 'profile' of new pope
Mar 07, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although by March 6 the world's cardinals had not set a date to begin the conclave to elect a new pope, they had begun discussing "the profile" required of the next ...
Confessors called to help Catholics recognize truth of God's love
Mar 07, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The sacrament of penance, or reconciliation, helps Catholics recognize "the truth about themselves: that they are beloved children of the Father, who is rich in mer...
CCHD awards $800,000 to three groups working on immigration reform
Mar 07, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Three faith-based organizations working to reform the country's immigration laws are set to receive $800,000 from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. The gra...
Students get to learn about process, select 'new pope' in mock conclave
Mar 07, 2013 - ALEXANDRIA, Va. (CNS) -- Students from St. Louis Catholic School in Alexandria erupted in cheers as Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson was elected the "new pope" during a mock conclave held...
Young adults hear the call to works of charity
Mar 06, 2013 - Young adults had the chance to gather for an evening of faith and fellowship March 4 at Revolutions, Bethlehem, as the second session of the four-part Lenten "Theology on Tap" was offered b...
Faith and relationships explored at DeSales forum
Mar 06, 2013 - As part of the Year of Faith campaign, the Salesian Center at DeSales University, Center Valley, hosted a symposium on faith and relationships Feb. 27 featuring keynoter Erika Bachiochi...
Cardinals receive book of rites, prayers, hymns to guide their work
Mar 06, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- On the first day of their pre-conclave meetings, all of the cardinals were given a gold-embossed, green book of rites and prayers to accompany them as they enter th...
Cardinals send retired pope note of thanks, call for prayers
Mar 06, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The College of Cardinals thanked retired Pope Benedict XVI for his "tireless work" and example of "generous pastoral concern." Meeting during the second day of pre-...
Seminarians reflect on Pope Benedict's ministry, their own vocations
Mar 06, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Now-retired Pope Benedict XVI "has been pope my entire adult life," said seminarian Kyle Doustou, who is studying to be a priest for the Diocese of Portland, Maine. "...
Catholic Charities gala honors two diocesan servants
Mar 05, 2013 - A former priest of the Diocese of Allentown and a member of the Sisters of Mercy were honored for their tireless efforts on behalf of the poor and vulnerable during the sixth annual Catholi...
Cardinals begin pre-conclave meetings at Vatican
Mar 05, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The College of Cardinals began their formal pre-conclave meetings March 4 with 142 members present, 103 of whom are under the age of 80 and eligible to enter the co...
Pope Benedict's 'unwavering fidelity' celebrated at Mass in Washington
Mar 05, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- During the presentation of the gifts at a Feb. 28 Mass celebrating Pope Benedict XVI's ministry, the choir's hymn had an ambrosial quality as members sang: "Tu es Pet...
Bishop Barres celebrates Mass for retiring Pope Benedict
Mar 04, 2013 - "Pope Benedict has been a rock of the church and a rock of the New Evangelization," said Bishop of Allentown John Barres Feb. 27 during a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving in celebration of the e...
Pope Benedict begins emeritus life; cardinals begin 'sede vacante' jobs
Mar 04, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After Pope Benedict XVI officially became pope emeritus, he ate dinner, watched the television news and strolled through the lake-view rooms of the papal villa at C...
97 catechumens, 341 candidates prepare for full communion in church
Mar 01, 2013 - "Today is a day to live with conviction in the Year of Faith that God exists," Bishop John Barres told the 22 catechumens and 107 candidates from the Berks and Schuylkill deaneries at the R...
Thousands attend Religious Education Congress to 'fulfill and refill'
Mar 01, 2013 - LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- This is a "time to go deeper into our faith," Sister Edith Prendergast told the thousands of participants at the Religious Education Congress 2013 in her opening remarks. For ...
In farewell to cardinals, Pope Benedict pledges obedience to next pope
Feb 28, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Clementine Hall is traditionally the place where cardinals bid farewell to popes at the end of a pontificate, but usually when the pope in question is lying in ...
Catch a Lenten fish fry for helpings of faith, fellowship and food
Feb 28, 2013 - Fridays of Lent and fish fries go together like, well, a fish and water. The tradition of holding Friday fish fries – or fish bakes or Lenten dinners, they taste great whatever the na...
Pope delivers personal, emotional farewell address at audience
Feb 28, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- On his last full day as pope, Pope Benedict XVI delivered an unusually personal and emotional farewell address, thanking the faithful around the world for their supp...
Priest calls indigenous art objects from Vatican 'cultural ambassadors'
Feb 28, 2013 - SAN FRANCISCO (CNS) --The de Young Museum in San Francisco is hosting the first exhibit outside the Vatican dedicated solely to the Catholic Church's collection of indigenous art and art...
While @Pontifex hibernates during interregnum, @TerzaLoggia set to fly
Feb 27, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The pope's @Pontifex Twitter fans will get two more tweets before the account goes into "hibernation" during the "sede vacante" period starting when Pope Benedict X...
Pope Benedict to be 'pope emeritus' or 'Roman pontiff emeritus'
Feb 27, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI will continue to be known as Pope Benedict and addressed as "His Holiness," but after his resignation, he will add the title "emeritus" in one of ...
Hundreds of thousands of families expected for 2015 gathering in US
Feb 27, 2013 - PHILADELPHIA (CNS) -- Global attention will turn to Philadelphia in 2015 when the city expects to welcome hundreds of thousands of families for the World Meeting of Families -- and possi...
Saints' relics help people make connection to the holy, says Franciscan
Feb 27, 2013 - NEW YORK (CNS) -- Thousands of people in New York and New Jersey spent some time recently with a good friend they had never seen before his February visit to the United States. Relics of ...
Theology on Tap Lenten series opens with discussion on creed
Feb 26, 2013 - "The creed is a way of saying what we believe. It's like a driver's license or an identification card proving who you are," said Msgr. Andrew Baker Feb. 25 at the first session of Theology ...
Cardinal Ravasi, Bible scholar, uses culture as bridge to unite people
Feb 26, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A prominent voice at the Vatican in the run-up to the papal election, Italian Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi is a well-known biblical scholar who can quote just as easi...
Changing rules, pope allows cardinals to move up conclave date
Feb 26, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In his last week as pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI issued new rules for conclaves, including a clause that allows the College of Cardinals to move up the date for the b...
Archbishop backs end to death penalty, says it offers 'tragic illusion'
Feb 26, 2013 - ANNAPOLIS, Md. (CNS) -- The Catholic Church's objection to the death penalty comes from its consistent teaching that life must be protected from conception to natural death, said Baltimo...
'God's Got This': 12,000 youths gather for fun, faith, fellowship
Feb 26, 2013 - ANAHEIM, Calif. (CNS) -- About 12,000 youths -- and nearly 2,800 chaperones -- filled the Convention Center Feb. 21 for the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress Youth Day. Garbed in ...
Vocation, contributions of religious brothers called 'vital to church'
Feb 25, 2013 - RYE, N.Y. (CNS) -- Religious brothers say they are an invisible group in the church, but that it's not such a bad thing because it allows them the freedom to be ordinary men performing a...
Canonist explains 'rigid, highly formal' rules for electing pope
Feb 25, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The voting by cardinals to elect the next pope takes place behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel, following a highly detailed procedure that underwent major...
Pope Benedict changes rituals for new pope's inauguration
Feb 23, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has ordered several changes to the Masses and liturgies that will mark the inauguration of the next pope's pontificate. Rites and gestures that ar...
Parish volunteers fan out to help victims of severe Mississippi tornado
Feb 20, 2013 - HATTIESBURG, Miss. (CNS) -- Just as they did following Hurricane Katrina and in response to other disasters, members of a Hattiesburg Catholic church joined together Feb. 16 and fanned o...
Italian cardinal holds center stage by leading Lenten retreat for pope
Feb 18, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Italian cardinal leading Pope Benedict XVI's Lenten retreat was tweeting and podcasting his reflections, signaling that detachment from the outside world doesn'...
Pope asks continued prayers in these 'unusual' days for church
Feb 18, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Calling this an unusual time for him and for the church -- but not specifically mentioning his resignation -- Pope Benedict XVI thanked people for their affection a...
Life Runners relay aims to change US culture, promote life issues
Feb 18, 2013 - ST. LOUIS (CNS) -- By the time it is completed, the A-Cross the Country Relay for Pro-Life will have covered 4,089 miles and coincided with the 40 Days for Life prayer campaign to raise ...
Conclave to silence at least nine tweeting cardinals
Feb 15, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Parrots may squawk in the Vatican Gardens during a conclave, but the cardinals are not allowed to tweet. For most of the 117 red-vested princes of the church who ar...
Cardinals voting in conclave have Catholic school students' prayers
Feb 15, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Although the word "interregnum" might not be in too many spelling bees, the Latin term, which refers to the period between popes, will probably become familiar to Cat...
Diocesan schools ‘Raise the Standards’ during Catholic Schools Week [Photo Gallery]
Feb 13, 2013 - Catholic Schools Week 2013 photos // ...
‘Faith Alive’ stirs students to be Jesus to others
Feb 12, 2013 - "The Lord Jesus really wants to be present to you everywhere you go, and the Lord Jesus wants to be present through you everywhere you go," said Father Scott Ardinger Feb. 10 during "Faith ...
Citing health reasons, Pope Benedict announces he will resign
Feb 11, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Saying he no longer has the strength to exercise ministry over the universal church, Pope Benedict XVI announced Feb. 11 that he would be resigning at the end of th...
Don't worry about being imperfect when called to vocation, pope says
Feb 11, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Men and women called to a religious vocation should not worry about being imperfect but should trust in God to transform their lives, said Pope Benedict XVI. Vocati...
Uniting one's heart with God's will brings true freedom, priest says
Feb 06, 2013 - NEW YORK (CNS) -- True freedom ultimately lies in uniting one's heart to the will of God for life and when people have that harmony within, they are truly free and can build a society th...
College presidents urged to equip students for faith-based outreach
Feb 05, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Carolyn Woo, president of Catholic Relief Services, wants to see graduates of Catholic colleges become more involved in service -- globally and even locally within th...
Canada's Salt and Light TV debuts new 'Vatican Connections' series
Feb 05, 2013 - TORONTO (CNS) -- Salt and Light Television in Toronto is debuting a new television series called "Vatican Connections." The weekly show will offer viewers insight into the latest headlin...
Pope calls for protection of life, greater investment in families
Feb 04, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI called for greater investment in families and protecting life. As the Italian Catholic Church marked Day for Life Feb. 3, the pope used his Sunday...
Mass celebrates convergence of faith, intellect at US Catholic schools
Feb 01, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Every year at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, a group of peer ministers selected from the student body selects two important aspects of scholarship to t...
Faith is genuine only if coupled with charity for others, pope says
Feb 01, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Faith and charity can never be separated nor opposed to each other, just as faith by itself isn't genuine without charity, Pope Benedict XVI said. "Faith is knowi...
Stand Up for Life Essays
Jan 25, 2013 - Stand Up For Life Essays Mariah Sabol – First Place, Senior Division Imagine that feeling in your stomach when you know you're doing something wrong and feel like there's no turning back....
Diocesan youth honored for standing up for life
Jan 25, 2013 - Youth of the Diocese of Allentown were honored for their impassioned support of life at the annual Stand Up for Life Essay Contest Awards Banquet Jan. 20 at Toscani Wood Fire Grill, West La...
With faith and sustainable agriculture, nuns feed Salvadoran orphans
Jan 25, 2013 - SANTA TECLA, El Salvador (CNS) -- Dressed in her brown habit, Sister Elsy Gaytan walks through a field among rows of cabbages, pointing to the crisp green crop sprouting from the earth. ...
Catholic education sways decision for religious life, new survey shows
Jan 23, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Catholic education in high school and college is a significant factor for men and women choosing to enter a religious order, according to an annual survey of sisters ...
Pope Benedict has new App-titude, lets users follow live events
Jan 23, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican launched a new "Pope App" on the eve of the release of the pope's World Communications Day message, which is dedicated to social networks as important s...
Nearly 7,000 Catholic schools will have chance to see televised Mass
Jan 18, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Almost 7,000 Catholic schools across the country will have the opportunity to tune in to the second annual televised Mass celebrating National Catholic Schools Week w...
U.S. Bishops Call for ‘Nine Days of Prayer, Penance and Pilgrimage’ Surrounding 40th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
Jan 17, 2013 - WASHINGTON—The U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities urges Catholics nationwide to participate in Nine Days of Prayer, Penance and Pilgrimage, January 19-27, marking the 40...
Justice, kindness, humility must mark ecumenical journey, pope says
Jan 17, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Like the individual path to holiness, the ecumenical path to Christian unity requires justice, kindness and humility, Pope Benedict XVI told members of a pilgrimage...
'Youth-friendly' novena part of 'Nine Days' event to mark Roe decision
Jan 15, 2013 - ASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. Catholic bishops have launched "Nine Days of Prayer, Penance and Pilgrimage" to take place Jan. 19-27 as part of events marking the 40th anniversary of the Roe...
US Franciscan province offers 'text-a-prayer-intention' service
Jan 15, 2013 - NEW YORK (CNS) -- Often, prayer intentions are offered with hands folded, but a new service allows hands and fingers to move freely -- provided a cellphone is handy. The New York-based H...
People around world pledge to say rosary daily during Year of Faith
Jan 15, 2013 - EASTON, Mass. (CNS) -- The Family Rosary division of Holy Cross Family Ministries in Easton has gathered more than 80,000 pledges from people around the globe who said they would pray th...
Pope baptizes, welcomes babies into a personal relationship with Jesus
Jan 14, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Sistine Chapel sounded a bit like a nursery Jan. 13, as Pope Benedict XVI baptized 20 babies, whose crying provided a constant accompaniment to the two-hour Mas...
Hundreds of young adults shine at ‘City Lights’
Jan 14, 2013 - The second annual "City Lights" drew more than 200 faithful Jan. 12 to the social event of the year for young adults desiring to connect with fellow members of the faith at a popular venue ...
Ethics part of all courses in Catholic University's new business school
Jan 09, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- With enrollment up 50 percent over the past five years, The Catholic University of America in Washington is spinning off its current economics and business curriculum fr...
Be like good Samaritan, help those in need, pope says in message
Jan 08, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In a message for the 2013 World Day of the Sick, Pope Benedict XVI called on everyone to be a good Samaritan and concretely help those in need. Thanking those who care...
Boston's new auxiliary bishop seeks prayers, support from faithful
Jan 08, 2013 - BOSTON (CNS) -- Thanking God for the blessings he has received throughout life and for being called to the priesthood, the newly ordained auxiliary bishop of the Boston Archdiocese asked fo...
Peace is impossible without openness to God, pope tells diplomats
Jan 07, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Deploring war, civil conflict and poverty around the world, Pope Benedict XVI told foreign ambassadors assembled at the Vatican that peace-building requires charity, r...
40 years after Roe v. Wade, pro-life movement strengthens its resolve
Jan 04, 2013 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Forty years after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortions, the pro-life movement hasn't stepped back in its resolve to see the decision reversed. Each year near Jan. ...
Bishop urges seminarians to ‘make haste’ in following God
Jan 04, 2013 - "Pope Benedict XVI's biblical theology is a cornerstone of the new evangelization ... seminarians are called to be a vibrant part of that evangelization," Bishop John Barres said at the ann...
Christmas is reminder of God's great power, pope says at audience
Jan 03, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The annual celebration of Christ's birth fills Christians with hope and joy because it is a reminder that the power of God is always at work, and he does great thin...
Silence and song: Youths make ecumenical New Year's pilgrimage to Rome
Jan 03, 2013 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Even with 45,000 people -- mostly young adults -- gathered in St. Peter's Square, one could hear the sound of splashing water from the square's two decorative fount...
Agenda for a year of faith: looking ahead at Pope Benedict's 2013
Dec 28, 2012 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Fortunetelling, like all occult practices, is strictly taboo at the Vatican; and prophecy is a rare gift among journalists. But Pope Benedict XVI's calendar for 201...
Theology on Tap affirms ‘Encountering the Sacraments’
Dec 20, 2012 - "We are never at any moment left alone when we receive a sacrament," said Father Eugene Ritz, assistant pastor of St. Catharine of Siena, Reading, during the final Advent session of Theolog...
‘Feeding the Hungry’ festival benefits Berks Catholic Charities programs, services
Dec 18, 2012 - The Berks County office of Catholic Charities (CC), Diocese of Allentown kicked off the holiday season Dec. 2 by raising $17,000 during its first Christmas Festival "Feeding the Hungry" at ...
Pope expresses grief over Newtown shooting, calls for acts of peace
Dec 18, 2012 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After 20 children and six adults were shot dead in Connecticut, Pope Benedict XVI offered his condolences and prayers, urging all to dedicate themselves to acts of ...
Donors thanked at Bishop’s Advent Brunch
Dec 17, 2012 - "As I look out at you I see you are so generous financially, but I also see so many faces who make an incredible investment in the church's mission," Bishop John Barres told those enjoying ...
St. Peter Choir on TV Christmas Eve
Dec 17, 2012 - The Spanish Mass Choir of St. Peter the Apostle, Reading is adding its voice to the sounds of Christmas in a special way this year. The choir is participating in "One Christmas Story: Peopl...
Priests near school shooting quick to offer assistance
Dec 14, 2012 - NEWTOWN, Conn. (CNS) -- As law enforcement officers tried to piece together the Dec. 14 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 20 children and seven adults dead, priests from...
Survivor of countless storms, Quonset hut serves again as relief center
Dec 12, 2012 - On a landscape where few buildings are unscathed, the old Quonset hut on the edge of the parking lot at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Seaside Heights stands as a remarkable testam...
Pope launches Twitter account, tweets to more than 1 million followers
Dec 12, 2012 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI launched his very own Twitter account, sending a short inaugural message to his more than 1 million followers. 'Dear friends, I am pleased to g...
Theology on Tap focuses on ‘The Contraceptive Mentality’
Dec 12, 2012 - "To build the cathedral of your souls is a lifelong task," and we need to ask God for help along the journey, Dr. Joshua Schulz told the young adults gathered for the third session in the T...
Amid life's struggles, 'remember each day God is here,' bishop says
Dec 12, 2012 - IRVINE, Calif. (CNS) -- More than 5,000 Catholics -- including about 50 bishops and archbishops -- filled Irvine's Bren Events Center Dec. 10 to witness the installation of the fourth bi...
Papal events, Vatican webcam feeds streamed live with new 'Pope App'
Dec 04, 2012 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican is offering a new app that provides live streaming of papal events and video feeds from the Vatican's six webcams. "The Pope App" also will send out a...
Theology on Tap focuses on ‘10 Commandment of Communication’
Dec 04, 2012 - "How you communicate with others and what you communicate will have a great influence on your happiness," said Rick Lanciano, theology teacher at Berks Catholic High School, Reading Dec. 3 ...
With @Pontifex, pope reaches out to new kind of followers
Dec 03, 2012 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- To celebrate the launch of his new Twitter account, Pope Benedict XVI will tweet the answers to a handful of questions from his followers. The pope's rare questio...
Symposium examines threat of ‘radical secularism’
Nov 29, 2012 - "Radical secularization does not claim to be eliminating any religion, and indeed on its own terms it is not. What it is doing is radically privatizing and relativizing faith, rendering it ...
Catholic relief efforts post-Sandy stretch from New York to Cuba
Nov 28, 2012 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As victims continue to recover from Hurricane Sandy, several dioceses and Catholic charities are still asking for support for the affected areas. Catholic Charities U...
When sharing the faith, keep it simple, joyful, credible, pope says
Nov 28, 2012 - By Carol GlatzCatholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In a world of hardened hearts and titillating distractions, Christians need to keep the Gospel message simple and live what t...
Theology on Tap takes first step on ‘The Road to Heaven’
Nov 28, 2012 - The first step in the Theology on Tap series "One in Christ: The Road to Heaven" was taken Nov. 26 as the four-week series kicked off at Viva Tapas Lounge, Wyomissing. "God did not need to create ...
Loyola Institute for Ministry, CNS launch new website for Year of Faith
Nov 26, 2012 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Loyola Institute for Ministry of Loyola University New Orleans and Catholic News Service have launched a new website where Catholic media and others can post news an...
Celebrating church's universality, pope creates new cardinals
Nov 24, 2012 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Recalling that Christ's mission transcends 'all ethnic, national and religious particularities,' Pope Benedict XVI created six new cardinals from four different con...
Flame of faith burns brightly at men’s conference
Nov 19, 2012 - "I want to try to help us today to be the evangelists God has called us to be," said Gus Lloyd, one of the keynoters of "Spirit 2012: Fanning the Flame of Faith," the first annual Diocesan ...
‘Services of Eucharist Light’ draw faithful to the Lord
Nov 16, 2012 - Faithful of the Diocese of Allentown entered into prayer and furthered their desire to experience a conversion while turning back to Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament at regional "Serv...
‘Enrollment is job one’ for diocesan schools
Nov 15, 2012 - "I'm very excited to say for the first time in 15 years our schools grew," said Mark Lieberman, co-chair of the Bishop's Commission on Catholic Schools (BCCS), one of the presenters of "The...
Visiting elderly, pope says 'it's wonderful being old'
Nov 13, 2012 - ROME (CNS) -- Presenting himself as 'an elderly man visiting his peers,' Pope Benedict XVI visited a Rome residence for the elderly, urging the residents to see their age as a sign of Go...
Efforts to promote religious liberty will not end, archbishop says
Nov 13, 2012 - BALTIMORE (CNS) -- The work of defending religious liberty will continue more robustly and without end in the face of growing challenges, said the chairman of the U.S. bishops' Ad Hoc Co...
US bishops discuss penance, homilies, religious liberty, economy
Nov 13, 2012 - BALTIMORE (CNS) -- The U.S. bishops' fall general assembly in Baltimore began with an emphasis on conversion and a return to the sacrament of penance. New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dol...
Praying for a ‘hurricane’ of vocations
Nov 12, 2012 - "As we prepare for Hurricane Sandy, we pray for a hurricane of vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the Diocese of Allentown," Bishop John Barres told the faithful gathered at ...
Pope establishes pontifical Latin Academy
Nov 11, 2012 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has established the 'Pontifical Academy of Latinity' to promote the study of the Latin language and culture, and not just within the Catholic Chur...
New Website Connects Mother, Families with Adoption Agencies
Nov 09, 2012 - By Joelle Shea To mark National Adoption Month, the Catholic social service agencies across Pennsylvania launched www.adoptionpa.org, a website that connects mothers and families with a ...
Catholic friends in Staten Island pull together their own Sandy relief
Nov 08, 2012 - STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (CNS) -- On a cold and snowy afternoon, a group of Staten Island residents devastated by Hurricane Sandy entered a local VFW building littered with canned goods and b...
Election Eve Masses celebrated
Nov 06, 2012 - Faithful listen to the homily during an Election Eve Mass Nov. 5 celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. “America needs men and women guided by faith and not concerned ...
All Saints' Day calls for deeper belief in eternal life, pope says
Nov 01, 2012 - By Carol GlatzCatholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The feast of All Saints should prompt Catholics to believe more deeply in eternal life, Pope Benedict XVI said. The day "rem...
Serrans celebrate appreciation of priests
Oct 26, 2012 - A festive night of celebration and gratitude took place Oct. 22 at the Holiday Inn, Fogelsville as the Serra Clubs of the Diocese of Allentown hosted a "Priests' Appreciation Dinner." ...
Pope names six new cardinals, including US Archbishop Harvey
Oct 24, 2012 - By Cindy WoodenCatholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI surprised pilgrims in St. Peter's Square Oct. 24 by announcing he would create six new cardinals, including...
Pope proclaims seven new saints, including St. Kateri, St. Marianne
Oct 23, 2012 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Proclaiming seven new saints -- including St. Kateri Tekakwitha and St. Marianne Cope from North America -- Pope Benedict XVI said they are examples to the world of...
First regional ‘Faith Alive’ asks ‘Why God?’
Oct 23, 2012 - The answer to the question "Why God?" came to light for more than 250 youth and teens Oct. 21 at the first of three regional "Faith Alive" events specially designed to coincide with the Yea...
CRS renews Rice Bowl campaign as part of worldwide effort to end hunger
Oct 17, 2012 - By Dennis SadowskiCatholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Catholic Relief Services' popular Lenten Rice Bowl campaign is getting a new name and a new look. Now called CRS Rice Bowl,...
Bishop McFadden at Red Mass prays for attention to ‘person of truth’
Oct 15, 2012 - "For all of you in the legal profession and in public service, I encourage you to allow your Christian faith to guide you in your daily activities as it did your patron saint St. Thomas Mor...
Praying for vocations as a diocese planned for Oct. 28
Oct 12, 2012 - Faithful across the five-county Diocese of Allentown may join their prayers in unison for more laborers in Christ's vineyard during a Day of Prayer for Vocations Sunday, Oct. 28, which is a...
Diocese Begins Year of Faith Celebration
Oct 12, 2012 - Pope Benedict XVI has declared a “Year of Faith” to begin this month, and the Diocese of Allentown opened the year with Mass celebrated by Bishop John Barres Oct. 7 at the Cathe...
Archbishop: New evangelization 'must begin in your hearts and in mine'
Oct 11, 2012 - LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- The Catholic Church's mission to evangelize 'is ever ancient and ever new,' and every member of the church has a duty to carry out this mission, Los Angeles Archbish...
Nine states announce formation of religious freedom caucuses
Oct 11, 2012 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The need to defend religious liberty, a key issue this year for the U.S. Catholic bishops and other religious leaders, will now have a new venue for discussion and ac...
Hurricane season: Church as first responder in Latin America, Caribbean
Oct 04, 2012 - SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (CNS) -- On the little islands that make up the Caribbean's Lesser Antilles, there is not much in the way of protection from the annual wrath of the Atl...
Pope, at Marian shrine, entrusts Year of Faith, synod to Mary
Oct 04, 2012 - By Catholic News Service LORETO, Italy (CNS) -- During a visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto, Pope Benedict XVI formally entrusted to Mary the world Synod of Bishops and the ...
Archbishop urges Catholics to follow pope's 'road map' of faith renewal
Oct 03, 2012 - By R.W. DellingerCatholic News Service LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- In a wide-ranging address at the eighth annual Los Angeles Catholic Prayer Breakfast, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philad...
Married couples honored for being at ‘heart of Catholic evangelization’
Oct 01, 2012 - "This is a day of celebration of a milestone – whether your anniversary is five or 71 years. It is a day for us to celebrate years of fidelity, years of sanctity and years of missiona...
Growing Hispanic population prompts new Spanish-language Facebook page
Sep 20, 2012 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has launched a Spanish-language version of its Facebook page as part of the U.S. church's ongoing effort to reach Hispanic and Sp...
When he's not behind home plate, umpire makes serving others a priority
Sep 19, 2012 - By Maria WieringCatholic News Service BALTIMORE (CNS) -- When Major League Baseball umpire Mark Wegner, a Catholic, is in Baltimore to work at an Orioles game, one way he likes to spen...
Young Adults Tap into Faith and Politics
Sep 19, 2012 - Young adults tapped into “Faith and Politics,” which was the focal point of a Theology on Tap session sponsored by the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (OYYAM) ...
Pope appoints Archbishop Gomez, 35 others as synod members
Sep 18, 2012 - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles and 35 other cardinals, bishops and priests to serve as full members of the Synod of Bisho...
Bells to Ring for ‘Hundreds of Years’
Sep 18, 2012 - Bells that once signaled the faithful in Schuylkill County are summoning the faithful once again to practice their faith at Mass, religious celebrations and funeral rites at St. Benedict, Mohnton. ...
Americans must defend their legacy of religious freedom, cardinal says
Sep 18, 2012 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Religious freedom has been an essential part of the United States since its beginning and is essential to its future, Washington Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl said in a Sept. 13 tal...
Bishop Barres Ordains Transitional Deacon to be ‘A Light to Others’
Sep 17, 2012 - Bishop John Barres ordained Joseph Ganser to the first of three ranks of ordained ministry in the church by raising him to the order of deacon Sept. 15 at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of ...
‘New Realities’ in Catholic High Schools
Sep 14, 2012 - "If dioceses don't take really creative steps to face the fundamental challenges in their schools – things are going to get a lot tougher," said Father James Heft, author and renowned...
Church urged to work with women's groups in cause of religious freedom
Sep 14, 2012 - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Because religious intolerance disproportionately affects women worldwide, the church should enter into "unlikely alliances" with women's groups to make the case that s...
‘Get out and vote’ gears up at diocesan parishes
Sep 11, 2012 - A parish-based, nonpartisan voter registration drive is gearing up at parishes in the Diocese of Allentown this month. Bob Houlihan, left, and Jim Ruoss, both seated, members of the Kn...
Share the Gospel to transform lives, pope tells bishops
Sep 10, 2012 - By Cindy WoodenCatholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Christians must trust in the power of the Gospel to awaken people's consciences and promote reconciliation, but that can happen only if they ...
Ten Commandments are God's recipe for a good life, pope says
Sep 08, 2012 - ROME (CNS) -- The Ten Commandments are a gift from God to help people live a correct relationship with God and with others, Pope Benedict XVI said. 'God gave us the commandments to educate us a...
Mary is model of mature Christian faith, pope tells Marian scholars
Sep 07, 2012 - CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- Mary, the Mother of God, represents a 'full and mature' Christian faith, one that all believers should imitate, Pope Benedict XVI told Marian experts attending an a...
Bishop Barres set to ordain seminarian as transitional deacon
Sep 06, 2012 - A Kutztown native will be publicly and permanently configured to Christ by Bishop John Barres during the sacrament of ordination Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena...
Bishop says eucharistic adoration during convention is gift to nation
Sep 05, 2012 - By SueAnn HowellCatholic News Service CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CNS) -- In his homily during a "Vigil for Liberty" Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral Sept. 4, Charlotte Bishop Peter J. Jugis emphasi...
Respect life coordinators ready to proclaim Gospel of Life
Aug 30, 2012 - A resource guide designed to assist parish respect life coordinators was unveiled Aug. 27 at St. Katherine Drexel, Lansford by the Office of Pro-Life Activities and Social Concerns (OPLSC) ...
Women of Grace ignites faith in diocese
Aug 30, 2012 - Women of Grace creator Johnnette Benkovic will visit the diocese in April 2013. "We're building a bonfire," presenter Dr. Carrie Chapp told more than a dozen women from all corners o...
Notre Dame ‘pinned’ for its success
Aug 28, 2012 - Notre Dame High School, Easton has been featured in EdTech Magazine as one of the “Top 3 K-12 Schools That Are Making the Most of Pinterest.” Pinterest is a social bookmarking website.The...
Message from girl's first Communion balloon returned 11 year later
Aug 24, 2012 - By Dan RussoCatholic News Service EDGEWOOD, Iowa (CNS) -- In 2001, Abbie Steger, then in second grade, took part in a tradition that has been going on for decades at St. Mark Church ...
‘Let Religious Freedom Ring’ delivered letters and results
Aug 23, 2012 - The diocesan Commission for Women (CFW) was enthusiastic to launch a Letter Writing Campaign during the “Fortnight for Freedom” initiative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bis...
Register to vote at your parish
Aug 23, 2012 - Bishop of Allentown John Barres has announced that in response to the call to faithful citizenship, the Bishops of Pennsylvania have authorized a parish-based, nonpartisan voter registration driv...
Paralympian credits family, Catholic school for his success as athlete
Aug 22, 2012 - LAWRENCE, N.J. (CNS) -- On Brian Siemann's first day at Notre Dame High School in Lawrence in 2004, Coach Joe McLaughlin invited the young man who required a wheelchair for his mobili...
Photo Gallery: Hundreds show enthusiasm for Diocesan Hispanic Youth Encounter
Aug 20, 2012 - The Offices of Youth and Young Adults and Hispanic Affairs, along with many volunteers, provided a Youth Encounter for 300 youth and young adults July 14th at Allentown Central Catholic Hig...
Former Rep. Giffords, astronaut husband meet pope at audience
Aug 09, 2012 - Former Rep. Giffords, astronaut husband meet pope at audience By Catholic News Service CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly, a U.S. astr...
Diocese of Allentown Night at IronPigs baseball game
Aug 06, 2012 - Diocese of Allentown Night at IronPigs baseball game Faithful of the Diocese of Allentown enjoying the Lehigh Valley IronPigs game June 28 are, from left, George Harmanos, Mike Grasso and Tim Mc...
Newly ordained Father James honored
Aug 06, 2012 - Newly ordained Father James honored By TARA CONNOLLY Staff writer Father Richard James enjoys a laugh at the dinner in honor of his ordination to the priesthood. "You have the mission ...
Maryland Catholic high school cheers on Katie Ledecky, its golden girl
Aug 06, 2012 - By Maureen BoyleCatholic News Service BETHESDA, Md. (CNS) -- Katie Ledecky will bring a gold medal home to Bethesda after winning the 800-freestyle swim race Aug. 3 at the 2012 London Olympics. ...
Tens of thousands of Catholics gather to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe
Aug 06, 2012 - Tens of thousands of Catholics gather to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe By Elisabeth DeffnerCatholic News Service LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- Eileen Frutos has always been drawn to Mary. A member of th...
Families, friends celebrate with new Rockville Centre auxiliaries
Jul 30, 2012 - Families, friends celebrate with new Rockville Centre auxiliaries ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (CNS) At a joy-filled liturgy rich in symbolic tradition, the Diocese of Rockville Centre's two newest au...
Like Olympic athletes, everyone can glorify God, archbishop says
Jul 30, 2012 - Like Olympic athletes, everyone can glorify God, archbishop says By Simon CaldwellCatholic News Service MANCHESTER, England (CNS) -- Athletes competing in the 2012 Summer Olympics serve as a rem...
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Jul 27, 2012 - E-mail subscriptions The A.D. Times is now offering e-mail subscriptions. If you would like to transfer your print subscription to instead receive an e-mail notification with a link to each new iss...
'Blessed are the peacemakers' is theme of 2013 World Peace Day
Jul 17, 2012 - 'Blessed are the peacemakers' is theme of 2013 World Peace Day VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Threats to religious liberty and other basic rights, the global financial crisis and crises in politics and e...
Support for Bishop’s Annual Appeal helps Morrises expand their family
Jul 12, 2012 - Support for Bishop’s Annual Appeal helps Morrises expand their family By TAMI QUIGLEYStaff writer “Thank you for supporting Catholic Charities so that I could find my family!” ...
Diocese vows to continue moving forward to ‘Let Religious Freedom Ring’
Jul 12, 2012 - Diocese vows to continue moving forward to ‘Let Religious Freedom Ring’ By TARA CONNOLLYStaff writer The Diocese of Allentown closed out the national effort “Fortnight for Free...
Bishop Barres celebrates Mass for Boy Scouts at Jambo 2012
Jul 12, 2012 - Bishop Barres celebrates Mass for Boy Scouts at Jambo 2012 By TARA CONNOLLYStaff writer “Scouts are always in pursuit of truth. The Gospel of John tells us to be consecrated in truth becau...
Masses, devotions, rallies mark US church's 'fortnight for freedom'
Jul 06, 2012 - Masses, devotions, rallies mark US church's 'fortnight for freedom' WASHINGTON (CNS) -- When the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops asked Catholics to dedicate 14 days to the preservation of re...
Pope approves Archbishop Sheen's heroic virtues, step toward sainthood
Jul 03, 2012 - Pope approves Archbishop Sheen's heroic virtues, step toward sainthood By Francis X. RoccaCatholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has approved the heroic virtues of U.S. A...
Bishops Renew Plea To Congress And Administration To Repair Affordable Care Act
Jun 28, 2012 - Bishops Renew Plea To Congress And Administration To Repair Affordable Care Act June 28, 2012 Supreme Court decision does not address fundamental flaws in the lawLegislation still needed to fi...
Washington rally brings 2,000 together in support of religious freedom
Jun 27, 2012 - Washington rally brings 2,000 together in support of religious freedom By Maureen BoyleCatholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In prayerful celebration, more than 2,000 Catholics from all r...
Vatican plans for Year of Faith include hymn, Mass, packed calendar
Jun 22, 2012 - Vatican plans for Year of Faith include hymn, Mass, packed calendar VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With a hymn and a prayer, Italian Archbishop Rino Fisichella presented the Vatican's initial calendar of ev...
Atlanta eucharistic congress draws vibrant family of faith
Jun 22, 2012 - Atlanta eucharistic congress draws vibrant family of faith COLLEGE PARK, Ga. (CNS) -- Tens of thousands of Catholics filled the Georgia International Convention Center June 8 and 9 for the 17th ann...
Parishes hosting phonathons to raise Bishop’s Annual Appeal funds
Jun 21, 2012 - Parishes hosting phonathons to raise Bishop's Annual Appeal funds Reviewing materials at the June 11 Bishop’s Annual Appeal (BAA) phonathon at Holy Guardian Angels, Reading are, fr...
New columbarium and statues dedicated
Jun 08, 2012 - New columbarium and statues dedicatedRemembering those who died during Mass for Memorial Day By TARA CONNOLLYStaff writer Msgr. Baver blesses the new columbarium. (Photos by John Simitz) ...
Bishop ordains priest for the diocese
Jun 08, 2012 - Bishop ordains priest for the diocese By TARA CONNOLLYStaff writerandALEXA DONCSECZIntern Father Richard James is ordained a priest during the Laying on of Hands. (Photos by John Simitz) ...
‘Let Religious Freedom Ring’ diocesan initiative to celebrate ‘Fortnight for Freedom’
Jun 08, 2012 - 'Let Religious Freedom Ring' diocesan initiative to celebrate 'Fortnight for Freedom' By TARA CONNOLLYStaff writer A celebration coinciding with a series of feasts of great martyrs who faced pol...
Philadelphia to host World Meeting of Families in 2015
Jun 04, 2012 - Philadelphia to host World Meeting of Families in 2015 By Carol GlatzCatholic News Service MILAN (CNS) -- The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will host the next World Meeting of Families in 2015, an...
Pope tells families to spread gifts of love, sacrifice to help others
Jun 01, 2012 - Pope tells families to spread gifts of love, sacrifice to help others By Carol GlatzCatholic News Service MILAN (CNS) -- As tens of thousands of families from all over the world gathered for the...
Religious freedom issues at heart of HHS lawsuits, legal scholars say
May 29, 2012 - Religious freedom issues at heart of HHS lawsuits, legal scholars say By Liz O'ConnorCatholic News Service LEVITTOWN, Pa. (CNS) -- The mass media have done the public a disservice by consistentl...
Berks Catholic Vocations Day gives students food for thought
May 24, 2012 - Berks Catholic Vocations Day gives students food for thought By TAMI QUIGLEYStaff writer The “Saints” put the spotlight on vocations at Berks Catholic High School(BCHS), Reading Marc...
Lawsuits by Catholic Dioceses, Groups Seek to Stop HHS Mandate
May 24, 2012 - Federal lawsuits by Catholic dioceses, groups seek to stop HHS mandate By Nancy Frazier O'BrienCatholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Forty-three Catholic dioceses, schools, hospitals, social...
48 Candidates for Permanent Diaconate Instituted for Ministry of Reader
May 24, 2012 - 48 candidates for permanent diaconate instituted for ministry of reader By TAMI QUIGLEYStaff writer "To proclaim the word of God you must be rooted in the word of God," said Msgr. Gerald Gobitas...
Diocese Practicing Good Stewardship Through Collective Purchasing
Mar 21, 2012 - Diocese Practicing Good Stewardship Through Collective Purchasing2-2-2012By TAMI QUIGLEYStaff writerIn recent years, the Diocese of Allentown has been using collective purchasing as a way to be good ...
Bishop’s Commission on Catholic Schools Announces $300,000 Tuition Transfer Grant Program
Mar 21, 2012 - Bishop’s Commission on Catholic Schools announces $300,000 Tuition Transfer Grant Program for Diocesan Parishioners2-2-2012By TARA CONNOLLYStaff writerThe Bishop’s Commission on Catholic ...
St. Andrew Committee Creating Opportunities for Men Interested in Priesthood
Mar 21, 2012 - St. Andrew Committee Creating Opportunities for Men Interested in Priesthood 2-2-2012By TAMI QUIGLEYStaff writerSt. Andrew was instrumental in bringing other men, most important his brother Peter, ...
Catholic Charities Gala Honors Those ‘Caring for Our Communities’
Mar 15, 2012 - Catholic Charities Gala Honors Those ‘Caring for Our Communities’3-15-2012By TARA CONNOLLYStaff writer Bishop John Barres, second from right, joins the 2012 Catholic Charities (CC) m...
Catholic Charities Gala honors those ‘Caring for Our Communities’
Mar 12, 2012 - Catholic Charities Gala honors those 'Caring for Our Communities' By TARA CONNOLLYStaff writer Two institutions and a two-time Purple Heart recipient were honored for their contributions to the ...
Catholic School Leaders Honored in White House Ceremony
Jan 27, 2012 - Catholic school leaders honored in White House ceremony January 26, 2012Catholic News ServiceA group of Catholic school leaders, including a student, a few principals, diocesan education officials ...
Tie with CRS Helps Villanova University Make Connections to World
Jan 25, 2012 - Tie with CRS helps Villanova University make connections to worldJanuary 25, 2012Catholic News ServiceWhen the Villanova Wildcats beat the Seton Hall Pirates 84-76 in men's basketball Jan. 18, it was...
Bishop Barres Visits and Prays with Holy Father, Bishops During 'Ad Limina'
Jan 05, 2012 - By TAMI QUIGLEY Staff writer Bishop of Allentown John Barres found the chance to prayerfully engage with Pope Benedict XVI and other bishops inspiring and insightful during his Dec. 1-10 &ldqu...
Women's Day of Spirituality - Keeping Joy Alive On Our Journey
Jan 05, 2012 - By TAMI QUIGLEY Staff writer “A Joyful Journey” was the theme weaved throughout the third Women’s Day of Spirituality, which drew approximately 190 women to the Nov. 5 daylon...
Youth Ambassadors Share Keeping Christ at the Center of Their Lives
Jan 05, 2012 - By TARA CONNOLLY Staff writer When Juliet Bonino found herself lax in her faith and going to Mass with her family because it was “the thing to do,” she turned to the sacrament of r...
'Crossing the Bridge' into Advent with New Roman Missal Translations
Jan 05, 2012 - By TAMI QUIGLEY Staff writer “What a dynamic moment for us,” Bishop John Barres proclaimed as he celebrated Mass using the new Roman Missal translations at St. John the Baptist, Wh...
Exhibit of Religious Art Pays Tribute to 50th Anniversary of the Diocese
Jan 05, 2012 - By TARA CONNOLLY Staff writer The first special exhibition at the newly renovated Allentown Art Museum of Lehigh Valley honors the vision of a local philanthropist and pays special tribute to ...