LATEST NEWS
Bishop Visits Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center on Feast of St. Joseph
Bishop Alfred Schlert celebrated Mass on St. Joseph’s Day March 19 at Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center (PSHSJ), Bern Campus, Reading.
Spend Time with the Lord in Silence on Holy Thursday
The Holy Thursday tradition of visiting seven churches is an ancient practice most likely originating in Rome, where early pilgrims visited the seven major basilicas as a sign of penance.
Theology on Tap Upholds ‘True Love’ as to “Why Stay in the Church?’
“I really believe the No. 1 reason people leave the Church is because they have lost the love story,” said Deacon Anthony Bellitto, assigned to St. Stanislaus, Lansdale, March 11 to young adults during Theology on Tap.
Operation Rice Bowl Continues Lenten Tradition of Giving
A total of $6,338,249 has been collected through Operation Rice Bowl in the Diocese since 1976.
Rite of Election Calls 80 Catechumens to the Church
Bishop Schlert presided at the Rite of Election and at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. The afternoon ceremony, celebrated in English and Spanish, formally acknowledged the readiness of 80 catechumens – those preparing for the sacraments of initiation – to seek full communion with the Catholic Church.
Because We Are Catholic: Seeing Christ in Every Person They Assist
“I encourage our volunteers to see Christ in every person that they assist,” said Fran Gallagher, president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Notre Dame Parish, Bethlehem. The society is a worldwide volunteer organization of the Catholic Church.
Gala Honorees
Read more about this year’s honorees, Monsignor Joseph Smith, pastor emeritus of St. Catharine of Siena, Reading and John and Alice Freeh, parishioners of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Hellertown.
Catholic Charities Gala Honors ‘All Men and Women of Good Will’
Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert thanked supporters for assisting Catholic Charities in providing vital services for more than 20,000 individuals and families last year throughout Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuylkill counties.
“We join in prayer with the Muslim community and with all people of good will”
Bishop Alfred Schlert issued this statement about the shootings at mosques in New Zealand: “Places of worship should be sanctuaries, where those at prayer feel safe. An attack on one religious community is an attack on every faithful person in the world. The Catholic community in the Diocese of Allentown joins in prayer with the Muslim community, and with all people of good will, to overcome hatred and disregard for human life.”
‘Lumen Christi Commission’ Formed to Guard Faithful Against Pornography
The Diocese of Allentown has recommitted itself to raising awareness of the destructive effects of pornography, as well as offering resources for prevention and healing, through the formation of the “Lumen Christi Commission.”
