News Release

Former church building in Saint Clair to close
June 21, 2020

The former Immaculate Conception church building in Saint Clair, now being maintained by Saint Clare of Assisi Parish, will be closed because of declining use and rising maintenance costs. Since 2008, the building has been used for Mass only one day per year, and for funerals of former Immaculate Conception parishioners.

Two Jim Thorpe parishes to be consolidated
June 21, 2020

The two Catholic congregations in Jim Thorpe will come together as one when St. Joseph Parish is consolidated into Immaculate Conception Parish. Both church buildings will remain open and will use the existing Mass schedule.

Two Minersville parishes to merge
June 21, 2020

Two parishes in Minersville are merging to create a stronger, more unified Catholic presence in the community. The newly created parish will be named Holy Family Parish of Minersville. Both the St. Matthew and the St. Michael church buildings will remain open, and the merged congregation will use both churches for worship. .

Prayer service for reconciliation in our nation set for Friday at Cathedral
June 15, 2020

The Diocese of Allentown will hold a prayer service for reconciliation in our nation this Friday, June 19 at 7 PM at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena in Allentown. People from throughout the Diocese are invited to participate in prayers for healing the wounds of all the divisions present in our society.

Two parish elementary schools are closing
June 10, 2020

With declining enrollments and financial losses made insurmountable by the economic effects of the pandemic, two elementary schools in the Diocese of Allentown are closing at the end of this school year. Parents of students at Sacred Heart School in Bath and St. Francis Academy in Bally were notified today.

The faithful are invited back to Mass starting on June 1
May 22, 2020

Attendance remains voluntary for now; health precautions will be in place

Catholic schools ready if coronavirus delays in-person return in fall
May 20, 2020

With continuing uncertainty about how the Coronavirus will affect the usual return to classrooms in the fall, the leader of the Diocese’s Catholic school system has reassured parents that schools will adapt and be ready.

Public attendance at Masses will resume in Carbon County on June 1
May 15, 2020

As the stay-at-home order is lifted in Carbon County, the Diocese of Allentown will begin taking steps to reopen churches there to the limited participation of the faithful. .

Catholic Charities to again hold drive-through food drop-off this Saturday
May 14, 2020

Building on the success of a highly successful event two weeks ago, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Allentown will again be collecting grocery donations in a drive-through, socially distant event this Saturday, May 16 at the Vegan Butcher, 768 Union Boulevard, Allentown from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. .

Priest to be interim leader at Marian Catholic, search for permanent principal starts soon
May 13, 2020

Father Allen Hoffa has been named Interim Head of School at Marian Catholic High School, effective July 1, 2020. Father Hoffa succeeds the current principal, Mrs. Jean Susko, who is taking a new leadership role at Marian as Director of Academic Studies. .