January 3, 2014

LETTER FROM ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT TO THE CLERGY AND
FAITHFUL OF THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA


Dear friends in Christ,

On December 26, Pennsylvania's Superior Court unanimously reversed the 2012 conviction of Msgr. William Lynn on a charge of endangering the welfare of children. At my direction, the Archdiocese has provided 10 percent of Msgr. Lynn's bail – $25,000 – to assist his release from prison. Msgr. Lynn is free but constrained by a number of court restrictions pending an appeal of the reversal by civil authorities to the commonwealth's Supreme Court.

Msgr. Lynn remains on administrative leave. As such, he may not function publicly as a priest.

The Superior Court ruling does not vindicate Msgr. Lynn's past decisions. Nor does it absolve the Archdiocese from deeply flawed thinking and actions in the past that resulted in bitter suffering for victims of sexual abuse and their families. Above all, it does not and cannot erase the Archdiocese's duty to help survivors heal. We remain committed to that healing – now and in the future.

For the past three years the Archdiocese has worked vigorously to reform the way it protects the children and families it serves. New policies and procedures, new standards of ministerial behavior, new Archdiocesan Review Board members, mandated reporter training for thousands of volunteers, clergy and staff: All these things are a matter of public record. Throughout the trial of Msgr. Lynn, the Archdiocese cooperated fully and honestly with law enforcement and the court. And that cooperation will continue, whatever the final outcome of Msgr. Lynn's case. We cannot change the past. But we can and will do everything in our power to prevent it from being repeated.

I understand and accept the anger felt toward the Archdiocese by many of our people and priests, as well as the general public, for the ugly events of the past decade. Only time and a record of honest conversion by the Archdiocese can change that. Msgr. Lynn has already spent 18 months in prison on a conviction which Pennsylvania's state appellate court has reversed – unanimously – as “fundamentally flawed.” This reversal is not a matter of technicalities but of legal substance. That is made very clear in the text of the Superior Court's decision.
Msgr. Lynn presents no danger to anyone. He poses no flight risk. The funding for his bail has been taken from no parish, school or ministry resources, impacts no ongoing work of the Church and will be returned when the terms of bail are completed. Nor does it diminish in any way our determination to root out the possibility of sexual abuse from the life of our local Church.

As a result, I believe that assisting Msgr. Lynn's family and attorney with resources for his bail is both reasonable and just. We have acted accordingly.

Sincerely yours in Jesus Christ,
+Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Philadelphia



# # #



Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: National Migration Week And The Goal Of Immigration Reform, 2014

January 6, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:

NATIONAL MIGRATION WEEK AND
THE GOAL OF IMMIGRATION REFORM, 2014


Updated: January 8, 2014 at 2:30 p.m.

EDITOR'S NOTE: National Migration Week will be observed in dioceses around the country January 5-11. Ongoing goals of Catholic efforts for immigration justice include:

1. Provide a path to citizenship for undocumented persons in the country.
2. Preserve family unity as a cornerstone of our national immigration system.
3. Provide legal paths for low-skilled immigrant workers to come and work in the United States.
4. Restore due process protections to immigration enforcement policies.
5. Address the root causes of migration caused by persecution and economic disparity.

The observance of National Migration Week was launched over a quarter century ago by the U.S. bishops to give Catholics an opportunity to see the wide diversity of peoples in the Church and the ministries serving them.


While the immigration debate in this country has burned on for years, Congress has consistently failed to pass adequate reform legislation. No single party bears the blame for the paralysis. Both Democrats and Republicans have misused this issue, and the powerful emotions it generates, for political gain. As a result, despite millions of words in partisan sloganeering, our national immigration policy still fails to address the complicated economic and social forces driving immigration.

Worse, this gridlock has very human consequences in the separation of children who are U.S. citizens from their non-citizen parents, and the wholesale alienation of immigrant communities.

As America's bishops have stressed many times in the past, in the United States we now employ a permanent underclass of human beings who build our roads, pick our fruit, clean our hotel rooms and landscape our lawns. Most of these men and women, like millions of immigrants before them, simply want a better life for their children. They pay billions into our tax and Social Security systems. But even as we benefit from their labor, we too often do not offer them the basic protection of law. When convenient, we blame them for our social ills and pursue policies that intimidate them and their families.

Our immigration laws undergird this troubling status quo. Despite billions spent on enforcement each year, most unauthorized migrants find jobs once they arrive, or, in the case of visa overstays, remain in the United States. And while hundreds of thousands of these workers are added to our economy each year, only a fraction of that number in annual immigrant visas become available for people to enter our country legally.

Congress can end these current policy and humanitarian failures by adopting a comprehensive immigration reform package. Any serious reform should provide a path to permanent citizenship for the undocumented already here, and create avenues for future workers and their families to enter the country legally.

Obviously, maintaining the rule of law is a vital aspect of reform. Americans have very legitimate concerns for public safety and the solvency of our public institutions. Nor is the problem purely a product of ill will in Washington, D.C. Some people enjoy blaming the United States for nearly every problem, and unfortunately, American policy has had a very mixed history in Latin America. But until Latin American nations seriously reform their own legal and economic systems, they also bear responsibility for the current crisis. Just pointing fingers at the United States accomplishes very little. One of the implications of a hemispheric economy is that both sides of the border need to cooperate. Both sides of the border have duties.

Nonetheless, we should remember that while we are a nation of laws, we also are a nation founded on the principle of justice. Accomplishing immigration reform would restore justice to our immigration system and strengthen, not undermine, the rule of law.

By providing the undocumented population an opportunity to work toward permanent citizenship through earned legalization, we would encourage them to identify themselves to the government. By creating avenues for migrant workers and their families to cross the border safely, we would better enable the government to monitor who enters the country and for what purpose. Law enforcement officials would then be able to focus on apprehending real criminals: drug smugglers, human traffickers and potential terrorists.
It does not take political courage to complain about undocumented immigrants. It does take political courage to seek and achieve real change in immigration policies sustained on the weakness of those without rights or a voice.

We need to pray that our elected federal officials will find the courage in this new year of Our Lord, 2014, to finally pass real immigration reform. In the end, the ultimate question for Congress - and for all Americans - is whether we want to live in a society that accepts the toil of migrants with one hand, and then treats them like outcasts with the other. For our own sake, I want to believe the answer is "no."

Educational materials and other resources for National Migration Week can be found at www.usccb.org/about/migration-and-refugee-services/national-migration-week. Information on how Catholics can join in efforts to call on Congress to pass fair and comprehensive immigration reform can be found at www.justiceforimmigrants.org.

Advocates can use the Pennsylvania Catholic Advocacy Network to contact their Congressmen in support of immigration reform by visiting https://www.votervoice.net/PACC/Campaigns/33031/Respond.

###


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.


Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocese To Award Over 250 Educators During Annual Religious Education Mass

January 8, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE TO AWARD OVER 250 EDUCATORS DURING ANNUAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION MASS


Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will be the main celebrant and homilist during the annual Religious Education Mass and Award Ceremony at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. Among the 250 religious educators being honored, Bishop Joseph P. McFadden will be recognized posthumously with the Paul VI Award.

Saturday, January 11, 2014
11:00 a.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103


The Paul VI Award is the highest award presented by the Office for Catechetical Formation for "an outstanding leader who has made significant contributions to catechesis on an archdiocesan, national or international level." Bishop McFadden, the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg died unexpectedly on May 2, 2013 at the age of 66. Bishop McFadden's brother and sisters will accept the Paul VI Award on his behalf.

The Religious Education Mass highlights those who pass on the faith to parish children who attend public or non-Catholic private schools. Immediately after Mass, the presentation of the catechetical awards follows. The Catechetical awards mark anniversaries of service for catechists and Directors/Coordinators of Religious Education. Over 250 Catechists and Directors/Coordinators of Religious Education will be honored for their five to 30 years of service in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The Mass is sponsored by the Office for Catechetical Formation.



# # #


Editor's Note: For more information on the Office for Catechetical Formation please visit http://archphila.org/catechetical/index.html.




Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Catholic Charities Appeal Partners With Philadelphia Sixers For Catholic Charities Night

January 10, 2014

CATHOLIC CHARITIES APPEAL PARTNERS WITH
PHILADELPHIA SIXERS FOR CATHOLIC CHARITIES NIGHT


The Archdiocese of Philadelphia Catholic Charities Appeal is partnering with the Philadelphia 76ers for "Catholic Charities Night" at the Wells Fargo Center. Tickets are on sale now, and prices range from $25 to $40 per ticket. A portion of the proceeds from tickets purchased through a dedicated link will go directly to the appeal.

Every year, the Philadelphia Catholic Charities Appeal feeds, clothes, shelters, and educates more than 200,000 people across our region, regardless of their faith. Care is provided for the homeless, the elderly, disadvantaged youth and the developmentally delayed through more than 80 highly effective social service programs that build up the dignity of those served.

To purchase tickets to this game and support the Catholic Charities Appeal, please visit http://www.nba.com/sixers/promocode and enter the promo code: TCF.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014
7:00 p.m.
Wells Fargo Center
3601 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148


Catholic Charities will receive on-court recognition as part of the Sixers' "Non-Profit of the Night Awareness Series" and longstanding social worker Mr. Edward Mack will receive the 'Heroes Among Us' Award for his work with adolescent boys through Catholic Social Services. There will also be a table on the concourse with information on the Catholic Charities Appeal and a half-time high five tunnel featuring 20 children from Holy Innocents Out of School Time Program.

Seating will be located in the Mezzanine Center (Rows 8-15) at $25 per ticket and in the Lower Level End (Rows 11-17) at $40 per ticket. Groups of 10 or more, please contact Chris McKeown directly at 215-339-7601 or [email protected].

# # #


Editor's Note: To learn more about the Catholic Charities Appeal, visit http://catholiccharitiesappeal.org/.


Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia To Host 2014 Archbishop's Lecture Series Featuring Nationally Renowned Scholars And Authors

January 10, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA TO HOST
2014 ARCHBISHOP'S LECTURE SERIES FEATURING NATIONALLY
RENOWNED SCHOLARS AND AUTHORS


The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Office for the New Evangelization are pleased to announce the featured speakers and topics for the 2014 Archbishop's Lecture Series. The series presents an opportunity for all to come to a deeper understanding of the true meaning of Catholic faith, its authentic content, and its orientation toward the transformation of the world around us. This year's lecture topics revolve around masculinity and femininity, marriage and the family, a timely preparation for the 2015 World Meeting of Families.

All lectures will take place at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Vianney Hall Auditorium; 100 East Wynnewood Road; Wynnewood, PA 19096 (Montgomery County).

A complete listing of scheduled programs is below.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Speaker:
Mary Eberstadt
Topic: How the West Really Lost God
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Speaker:
Sister Sara Butler, MSBT
Topic: Collaboration of Men and Women in the Church
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Speaker:
Professor Robert George
Topic: What is Marriage?
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Speaker:
Professor David L. Schindler
Topic: Theology of the Body, the Gender Distinction, and Religious Freedom
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

# # #


Editor's Note: For additional information on this lecture series please contact Meghan Cokeley, Director of the Office for the New Evangelization or visit www.phillyevang.org/lectures.


Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput To Host 31st Annual Archdiocesan Commemorative Prayer Service In Honor Of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This Year's Theme Is Deep In Our Hearts

January 14, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT TO HOST 31ST ANNUAL ARCHDIOCESAN
COMMEMORATIVE PRAYER SERVICE IN HONOR OF
REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

This year's theme is Deep in Our Hearts


Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will lead the 31st Annual Commemorative Prayer Service in honor of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Catholics along with other Christians and people of other faiths will gather at Saint Malachy Catholic Church to celebrate the life and legacy of the civil rights leader.

Sunday, January 19, 2014
3:00 p.m.
Saint Malachy Church
1429 North 11th Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122


The commemorative prayer service will begin with a procession of religious leaders. Invited speakers from several denominations will proclaim a Scriptural passage and offer a short reflection. Throughout the service, Saint Malachy Parish choir will lead the congregation with spirited gospel music.

The 31st Annual Archdiocesan Commemorative Prayer Service is sponsored by the Secretariat for Evangelization and the Office for Black Catholics. All are welcome to attend.


###


Editor's Note: For more information please contact Deacon William Bradley, Director of the Office for Black Catholics at
(215) 587-3541.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Confirmation Schedule - Spring 2014 (subject To Change)

January 14, 2014

CONFIRMATION SCHEDULE - Spring 2014
(Subject to change)


CELEBRANT: ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT, O.F.M. CAP.
Saturday February 22 at 4 p.m., Our Lady of Ransom, Philadelphia
Monday March 3 at 6 p.m., Nativity of Our Lord, Warminster
Thursday April 3 at 6 p.m., St. Genevieve, Flourtown
Saturday April 5 at 10 a.m., Maternity BVM, Philadelphia
Sunday April 27 at 1 p.m., Assumption BVM, Feasterville
Thursday May 8 at 6 p.m., St. Patrick, Kennett Square

CELEBRANT: MOST REVEREND DANIEL E. THOMAS
Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia
Saturday February 22 at 10 a.m., Sacred Heart, Royersford
Monday February 24 at 4 p.m., Resurrection of Our Lord, Philadelphia
Wednesday March 26 at 4 p.m., St. Patrick, Norristown
Saturday March 29 at 10 a.m., Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Schwenksville
Tuesday April 1 at 4 p.m., Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Philadelphia
Saturday April 5 at 10 a.m., and 2 p.m., St. Joseph, Downingtown
Sunday April 6 at 12 Noon St. Cyril of Alexandria, East Lansdowne
Wednesday April 9 at 4 p.m., St. David, Willow Grove
Saturday April 26 at 2 p.m., Our Lady of Guadalupe, Doylestown
Sunday April 27 at 12 Noon Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Bridgeport
Wednesday April 30 at 4 p.m., St. Hilary of Poitiers, Rydal
Sunday May 4 at 2 p.m., Our Lady Help of Christians, Abington
Wednesday May 7 at 4 p.m., Our Lady of the Assumption, Strafford
Sunday May 11 at 9 a.m., St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother, Stowe
Monday May 12 at 4 p.m., St. Maria Goretti, Hatfield
Thursday May 15 at 5 p.m., St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Avondale
Saturday May 17 at 5:30 p.m., St. Veronica, Philadelphia
Monday May 19 at 4 p.m., Mother of Divine Providence, King of Prussia
Saturday May 31 at 10 a.m., and 2:30 p.m., St. Rocco [Mision Santa Maria], Avondale

CELEBRANT: MOST REVEREND TIMOTHY C. SENIOR
Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia
Saturday February 8 at 10 a.m., St. Cecilia, Philadelphia
Sunday February 16 at 2:30 p.m., St. Monica, Philadelphia
Thursday February 20 at 4 p.m., St. Matthew, Philadelphia
Saturday February 22 at 10 a.m., St. Bernadette , Drexel Hill
Sunday February 23 at 10:30 a.m., St. John the Baptist, Ottsville
Saturday March 1 at 9:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m., St. Katharine of Siena, Wayne
Sunday March 2 at 12 Noon St. Joseph the Worker, Fallsington
Thursday March 6 at 6:00p.m., Our Lady of Consolation , Philadelphia
Saturday March 8 at 10 a.m., and 2 p.m., St. Elizabeth, Upper Uwchlan
Thursday March 13 at 4 p.m., St. Francis Xavier-The Oratory Philadelphia
Thursday March 20 at 4 p.m., St. Joseph, Aston
Thursday March 27 at 4 p.m., and 7 p.m., St. Maximilian Kolbe, West Chester
Saturday March 29 at 9:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m., St. Cornelius, Chadds Ford
Thursday April 3 at 7 p.m., St. Philip Neri, Pennsburg
Thursday April 10 at 5 p.m., St. Luke the Evangelist, Glenside
Sunday May 4 at 11:30 a.m., St. John Fisher, Boothwyn
Thursday May 7 at 4 p.m., Immaculate Conception, Levittown
Thursday May 15 at 4 p.m., St. John Chrysostom, Wallingford
Tuesday May 20 at 5 p.m., St. Peter, West Brandywine

CELEBRANT: MOST REVEREND JOHN J. MCINTYRE
Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia
Thursday February 13 at 4 p.m., Epiphany of Our Lord, Philadelphia
Friday February 28 at 4 p.m., Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, North Wales
Saturday March 1 at 10 a.m., Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, North Wales
Saturday March 1 at 5 p.m., St. Barnabas, Philadelphia
Sunday March 2 at 11 a.m., Divine Mercy, Philadelphia
Thursday March 6 at 4 p.m., St. Thomas the Apostle, Glen Mills
Thursday March 13 at 4 p.m., St. Timothy, Philadelphia
Sunday March 16 at 12 Noon St. Colman, Ardmore
Saturday March 22 at 10 a.m., St. Pius X, Broomall
Saturday March 29 at 10 a.m., St. Matthias, Bala Cynwyd
Sunday March 30 at 11 a.m., Holy Cross, Philadelphia
Thursday April 3 at 4 p.m., St. Helena, Blue Bell
Saturday April 5 at 10 a.m., St. Thomas of Villanova, Rosemont
Sunday April 6 at 10 a.m., St. Ann, Bristol
Monday April 7 at 5 p.m., St. John the Baptist, Philadelphia
Saturday April 12 at 10 a.m., St. Richard, Philadelphia
Tuesday April 22 at 5 p.m., Queen of the Universe, Levittown
Thursday May 1 at 4 p.m., St. Monica, Berwyn
Monday May 5 at 4 p.m., St. Nicholas of Tolentine, Philadelphia
Thursday May 8 at 4:30 p.m., St. Thomas More, Pottstown
Saturday May 10 at 10 a.m., & 1:30 p.m., St. Agnes, West Chester
Saturday May 31 at 10 a.m., & 2 p.m., St.s Simon and Jude, West Chester

CELEBRANT: MOST REVEREND MICHAEL J. FITZGERALD
Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia
Saturday February 8 at 10 a.m., and 2 p.m., St. Bede the Venerable, Holland
Sunday February 9 at 10:00 a.m., Saint Athanasius, Philadelphia
Tuesday February 11 at 4 p.m., St. Jerome, Philadelphia
Thursday February 13 at 4 p.m., St. Mark, Bristol
Tuesday March 4 at 4 p.m., Nativity BVM, Media
Thursday March 6 at 4 p.m., St. John the Evangelist, Morrisville
Saturday March 8 at 10 a.m., Visitation BVM, Trooper
Wednesday March 9 at 12 p.m., St. Joseph, Collingdale
Tuesday March 11 at 4 p.m., Our Lady of the Rosary, Coatesville
Thursday March 13 at 4 p.m., St. Andrew, Drexel Hill
Saturday March 15 at 10 a.m., St.s Peter and Paul, West Chester
Tuesday March 18 at 5 p.m., St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Jamison
Saturday March 22 at 10 a.m., and 1:30 p.m., St. Joseph, Spring City
Saturday March 29 at 10 a.m., and 1:30 p.m., St.s Philip and James, Exton
Friday April 4 at 4 p.m., St. Andrew, Newtown
Saturday April 5 at 9 a.m., and 1:30 p.m., St. Andrew, Newtown
Tuesday April 8 at 4 p.m., St. Agnes, Sellersville
Saturday May 3 at 5:30 p.m., Collegiate Confirmation at St. Agatha and St. James, Philadelphia
Sunday June 1 at 11 a.m., Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul,
Philadelphia

CELEBRANT: MOST REVEREND LOUIS A. DE SIMONE
Retired Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia
Sunday May 18 at 2 p.m., St. John Baptist Vianney, Gladwyne

CELEBRANT: MOST REVEREND ROBERT P. MAGINNIS
Retired Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia
Saturday March 15 at 10 a.m., St. Teresa of Avila, Norristown
Saturday March 22 at 10 a.m., St. Katherine of Siena, Philadelphia
Tuesday March 25 at 4 p.m., Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Hilltown
Saturday March 29 at 10 a.m., St. Norbert, Paoli
Wednesday April 2 at 4 p.m., St. Eugene, Primos
Saturday April 5 at 10 a.m., St. Christopher, Philadelphia
Thursday April 10 at 4 p.m., St. Frances Cabrini, Fairless Hills
Thursday April 24 at 4 p.m., St. Philip Neri, Lafayette Hill
Saturday April 26 at 10 a.m., St. Charles Borromeo, Bensalem
Sunday April 27 at 11 a.m., St. Ignatius of Loyola, Philadelphia
Tuesday April 29 at 4 p.m., St. Mary, Schwenksville
Saturday May 3 at 10 a.m., St. Laurence, Upper Darby

CELEBRANT: MOST REVEREND JOSEPH F. MARTINO
Retired Bishop of Scranton
Saturday March 1 at 10 a.m., Visitation BVM, Philadelphia
Sunday March 2 at 11 a.m., Our Mother of Consolation, Philadelphia
Sunday March 16 at 10 a.m., St. Gabriel, Philadelphia
Thursday March 20 at 4 p.m., St. Joseph, Warrington
Saturday March 22 at 10 a.m., and 2 p.m., Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Doylestown
Tuesday March 25 at 4 p.m., St. Robert Bellarmine, Warrington
Thursday March 27 at 4 p.m., St. Rose of Lima North Wales
Saturday March 29 at 10 a.m., St. Charles Borromeo, Drexel Hill
Sunday March 30 at 2 p.m., St. Albert the Great, Huntingdon Valley
Tuesday April 1 at and 4 p.m., St. Eleanor, Collegeville
Wednesday April 2 at 4 p.m., St. Eleanor, Collegeville
Saturday April 5 at 10:30 a.m., Holy Cross, Springfield
Sunday April 6 at 11 a.m., Sacred Heart, Clifton Heights
Tuesday April 8 at 4 p.m., St. John of the Cross, Roslyn
Thursday April 10 at 4 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi, Springfield
Saturday April 12 at 10 a.m., St. Stanislaus, Lansdale
Thursday April 24 at 4 p.m., St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Bensalem
Saturday April 26 at 10 a.m., and 2 p.m., St. Ignatius of Antioch, Yardley
Sunday April 27 at 10 a.m., St. George, Glenolden
Tuesday April 29 at 4 p.m., Our Lady of Good Counsel, Southampton
Sunday May 4 at 11:30 a.m., St. Ambrose, Philadelphia
Saturday May 10 at 5 p.m., St. James, Elkins Park
Sunday May 11 at 10:30 a.m., St. Katharine Drexel, Chester
Tuesday May 13 at 4:00 p.m., Sacred Heart, Havertown
Thursday May 15 at 4:00 p.m., St. Martin of Tours, Philadelphia
Saturday May 17 at 10:30 a.m., St. John Neumann, Bryn Mawr
Thursday May 22 at 4:00 p.m., Our Lady of Fatima, Bensalem
Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 12:15 p.m., St. Joseph, Coatesville



Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: Roe V. Wade And Christian Witness, 41 Years Later

January 16, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
ROE V. WADE AND CHRISTIAN WITNESS, 41 YEARS LATER


January 22 marks the 41st anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision, legalizing abortion on demand. Thanks to Roe, abortion has killed more than 50 million unborn children over the past four decades - the equivalent of roughly one in six living Americans; an entire generation extinguished. But alongside the killing spree, and despite the contempt of abortion activists and unfriendly media, the prolife counter-witness of millions of Americans has also continued.

The "March for Life" this January, like every January over the past several decades, reminds the nation that killing an unborn child is never a private matter. Abortion is a uniquely intimate form of violence - but violence with bitter public consequences. Catholics eagerly join the March for Life each year because we believe in the God of life and joy; a God who creates every human being with innate dignity and rights, including above all the right to life.

And in an election year, as in every year, that bears closer reflection.

What we really believe, we conform our lives to. And if we don't at least try to conform our lives to what we claim to believe, then we're fooling only ourselves, because God cannot be fooled. When we claim to be "Catholic" but then don't advance our beliefs about the sanctity of the human person as the basis of law, it means one of two things. We're either very confused, or we're very evasive.

All law involves the imposition of somebody's beliefs about the nature of truth, charity and justice on everyone else. That's the reason we have marches, debates, elections and Congress - to peacefully turn the struggle of ideas and moral convictions into laws that guide our common life.

We need to remember that in the early Church, the words "Jesus is Lord" were - unintentionally but profoundly - a political statement. The emperor claimed to be Lord both in the private and public lives of the citizens of the empire. When Christians proclaimed Jesus as Lord, they were proclaiming the centrality of Jesus not only in their personal lives, but in their public lives and decision-making. That took courage. And it had huge consequences for their lives. Jesus was hung upon the cross because of his claim of Lordship. Christianity was illegal for the first 250 years of the Church's life because Christians proclaimed, "Jesus is Lord."

The President of our country deserves our respect, but he is not "Lord." Our political parties, whether Democratic or Republican, are not "Lord." Congress is not "Lord." The Supreme Court that gave us Roe and sacralized the right to kill unborn children is not "Lord." None of these people or things is Lord. Only God is God, and only Jesus Christ is Lord. And Christ's relationship with each of us as individuals, and all of us as the believing Catholic community, should be the driving force of our personal lives and for all of our public witness, including our political witness on matters of human dignity.

"God" need not be on our lips every minute of every day. But he should be in our hearts from the moment we wake, to the moment we sleep. Only Jesus is Lord. The Church belongs to him; not to us, but to him. And we should never allow ourselves to be pushed from the public square by those who want someone else, or something else, to be Lord.

There's a very old Christian expression that goes like this: "Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are."

Are we troubled enough about what's wrong with the world -- the killing of millions of unborn children through abortion; the neglect of the poor, the disabled and the elderly; the mistreatment of immigrants in our midst? Do we really have the courage of our convictions to change those things?

The opposite of hope is cynicism, and cynicism also has two daughters. Their names are indifference and cowardice. In renewing ourselves in our faith, what Catholics need to change most urgently is the lack of courage we find in our own personal lives, in our national political life, and sometimes even within the Church herself.

Every year in these weeks between the end of Christmas and the beginning of Lent, I reflect on what the Church means when she talks about the season of "ordinary time." Ordinary time is where we spend most of our lives - raising families, doing our jobs, helping others, making the daily choices that shape the world around us. Ordinary time is the space God gives us to make a difference with our lives. What we do with that ordinary time - in our personal choices and in our public actions -- matters eternally.

As Alexander Solzhenitsyn once wrote, "the line separating good and evil runs not through states, nor between classes, nor even between political parties, but right through the center of each human heart, and every human heart." That includes you and me.

Next week hundreds of thousands of good people will march for life in Washington. It's an opportunity to prove the strength of our convictions; to show to the world what we really believe about the sanctity of human life. I'll be there. And I ask you to join me.

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.


Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput To Lead Delegation From The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia At The 2014 March For Life In Washington, D.C.

January 16, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT TO LEAD DELEGATION FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA
AT THE 2014 MARCH FOR LIFE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Promoting the respect and protection of all human life and the end of legalized abortion


Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will lead faithful from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on the Annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, January 22, 2014.

The March for Life activities will begin with an Opening Mass at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The principal celebrant and homilist will be Cardinal Seán Patrick O'Malley, O.F.M. Cap. Archbishop of Boston and Chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014
6:30 p.m.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
400 Michigan Avenue Northeast
Washington, DC 20017


Archbishop Chaput will celebrate Mass for the approximately 3,000 faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia who are attending the March for Life.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014
10:00 a.m.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
400 Michigan Avenue Northeast
Washington, DC 20017


The March for Life Rally will begin at the National Mall at 12:00 p.m. Participants from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will meet on the corner of Constitution Avenue and 6th Street (in front of the National Gallery of Art). They will process behind the Archdiocese of Philadelphia banner, carried by seminarians from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

For Media Coverage of Bus Departures for Washington, DC on Wednesday, January 22, 2014:

Two buses sponsored by the Office for Cultural Ministries will depart from Saint Raymond of Penafort Parish at 6:00 a.m. from 1350 Vernon Road, Philadelphia, 19150.

Two buses from Pope John Paul II High School in Royersford will depart at 6:00 a.m. from the school - 181 Rittenhouse Road, Royersford, 19468.

A bus from Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast High School in Drexel Hill will depart at 6:45 a.m. from the school's parking lot - 403 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill, 19026.

A bus from Cardinal O'Hara High School in Springfield will depart at 7:00 a.m. from the school - 1701 South Sproul Road, Springfield, 19064.

Buses transporting more than 160 seminarians and faculty will depart from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood at 5:30 a.m.


###


Editor's Note: For more information call the Office for Life and Family at 215-587-0500 or visit www.phillycatholiclife.org.


Contact
Annie Korp
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia To Participate In "9 Days For Life" Nine Days Of Prayer, Penance And Pilgrimage Beginning January 18-26, 2014.

January 17, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA TO PARTICIPATE IN "9 DAYS FOR LIFE"
Nine days of prayer, penance and pilgrimage beginning January 18-26, 2014.


Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. encourages the clergy and faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to participate in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) nationwide novena to end abortion.

January 22, 2014 marks the 41st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal throughout the United States. Since then more than 55 million children have lost their lives to abortion.

"9 Days for Life" is a novena with different intercessions, brief reflections and suggested acts of reparation that can be received directly each day by email, text message or through a new mobile application for smartphones. It allows for a wide variety of ways for people of all ages and circumstances to participate. The novena of prayer also spans the March for Life where thousands of pilgrims from the Archdiocese will travel to Washington, DC, on January 22, 2014.

###


Editor's Note: For more information on the "9 Days for Life" please visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) website at www.9daysforlife.com.


Contact
Annie Korp
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary To Host Inaugural Lecture Honoring John Cardinal Foley Annual Lecture Series Focuses On The Church And Social Communications

January 23, 2014

SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY TO HOST
INAUGURAL LECTURE HONORING JOHN CARDINAL FOLEY

Annual lecture series focuses on the Church and social communications


The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary are pleased to host the inaugural event in the annual John Cardinal Foley Lecture Series, honoring Cardinal Foley's work in the media by featuring speakers of national or international renown who are engaged in evangelization through social communications.

Rev. Thomas Dailey, O.S.F.S., holder of the John Cardinal Foley Chair of Homiletics and Social Communications at the Seminary, will speak on the topic of "Beauty, Truth, and Goodness in Person: Evangelization and Social Communications with Pope Francis."

Monday, January 27, 2014
7:00 p.m.
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
100 East Wynnewood Road
Wynnewood, PA 19096


The event will also feature the premiere of a new video about the legacy of John Cardinal Foley. Ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Foley served on the Seminary's faculty for seventeen years while also working as editor of the Catholic Standard & Times. In 1984, he was called to the Vatican to direct the work of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, which he led for twenty-three years. Cardinal Foley concluded his ecclesial service as Grand Master of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and returned to Philadelphia, where he died in 2011.

The lecture is open to the public with free admission and will be preceded by a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information about the lecture series or the John Cardinal Foley Chair, please contact Laura Verdi at 610-785-6530 or visit www.scs.edu.


Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Statement Of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.f.m. Cap. On The Appointment Of Most Reverend Ronald Gainer As The Bishop Of Harrisburg

January 24, 2014

STATEMENT OF ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT, O.F.M. CAP.
ON THE APPOINTMENT OF MOST REVEREND RONALD GAINER
AS THE BISHOP OF HARRISBURG


"Bishop Ronald Gainer's appointment to the Diocese of Harrisburg is a wonderful source of joy for the Church in Pennsylvania. He's exactly the man to carry on the spirit and work of the late Bishop Joseph McFadden, while adding a whole new dimension and energy to the task.

A native Pennsylvanian and a graduate of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Bishop Gainer already has a keen sense of life in the Commonwealth, the issues facing the Church here, and the importance of the people and civic institutions of Harrisburg and central Pennsylvania. He'll be a great voice for the poor, the unborn, quality education and the faith of the Catholic community. I welcome him enthusiastically as a brother, and I ask people of good will across the state to do the same."

+Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Philadelphia


###


Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: Series 2014: Feeding The Adult Catholic Mind And Soul

January 29, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
SERIES 2014: FEEDING THE ADULT CATHOLIC MIND AND SOUL




National Catholic Schools Week this year runs from January 26 through February 1. The Church treasures the work of education because in developing the mind, the human person grows - or should grow -- in his or her ability to understand the world, to know truth, to seek God and to serve others. A real education, a great education, feeds the soul as well as the mind; it transmits moral character as well as facts. It reminds us that we're more than animal carbon and chemical processes. It ennobles us by opening our hearts to beauties and dignity beyond our own appetites. It helps us to see in ourselves and others the high possibilities that God created us for, and calls us to.

That's why Catholic education matters. America's Catholic schools began here in our city, and we can rightly take pride in the wonderful reputation of Catholic schools in the Greater Philadelphia region. Our schools - one of the largest and best Catholic systems in the nation -- enrich not just the life of Catholics, but of the much wider community. And so we owe our Catholic school teachers, our staffers, our volunteers and administrators, a very big debt of gratitude and our wholehearted support.

At the same time, Catholic schools are only a first step. They're a foundation for mature Christian discipleship, but not the whole building. Our own adult education in the faith should continue throughout our lives. Too many Catholics - good, intelligent, successful people in so many ways - have a faith that stopped growing and deepening the day after Confirmation. A life in the company of Jesus Christ asks much more from us. Especially now. We live at a time when understanding the culture around us from a mature Catholic perspective is not a luxury -- it's a necessity.

This is why I strongly support the annual "Archbishop's Lecture Series" co-sponsored by our Office for the New Evangelization and my own office as Archbishop. We all need to learn more about our faith, and this series, designed not just for scholars but for interested adult Catholic men and women from every walk of life, is the ideal place to start.

In just a few days - on Tuesday, February 4, at 7 p.m. - our 2014 lecture series will begin with a special speaker and topic. Mary Eberstadt is a Senior Fellow with the Ethics and Public Policy Center and a Research Fellow with the Hoover Institution. She's written extensively on marriage, sexuality, parenting, the effects of pornography, the social consequences of mass daycare, and related issues. Her latest book, How the West Really Lost God: A New Theory of Secularization, examines the intense pressures facing the modern family and their impact on religious faith and the moral direction of the world around us.
With the World Meeting of Families and a possible papal visit to Philadelphia only 20 months away, Ms. Eberstadt's book and her February 4 talk are too important to miss. Please make every effort to be there and join in the discussion.

St. Charles Borromeo Seminary will host the lecture series in its Vianney Hall Auditorium, 100 East Wynnewood Road, Wynnewood. The cost is a modest $5. Questions about the series can be directed to Ms. Meghan Cokeley, director of our Office for the New Evangelization, at 215-587-5630.

I'll be there Tuesday evening, and I hope to see you as well.

# # #


Editor's Notes: To learn more about the 2014 Archbishop's Lecture Series or to RSVP, please visit www.phillyevang.org/lectures.

Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Statement Of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.f.m. Cap Regarding The Crisis In Ukraine

January 30, 2014

STATEMENT OF ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT, O.F.M. CAP
REGARDING THE CRISIS IN UKRAINE




We belong to one Church - a family that spans continents and centuries, bound together by a common faith in Jesus Christ. In that spirit, today I ask all Catholics in the Greater Philadelphia region to pray urgently for the Church in Ukraine and to press our elected federal representatives for financial and travel restrictions on Ukraine's political and business leaders.

Western Catholics remember the suffering of the Polish Church under Communism because of Pope John Paul II's witness of resistance. Less well known, but even more brutal, was the half-century of Soviet persecution experienced by Ukrainian Greek Catholics, who make up the largest Eastern Catholic Church in the world.

After Communism's collapse, life for the Church in Ukraine improved. But late last year Ukraine's leaders shifted back toward the Russian orbit. They cracked down heavily on demonstrations and dissent, killing some protesters and arresting hundreds of others. Christians in Ukraine - Catholics, Orthodox and others -- have not been silent. The Church's people and leaders have played a major role in denouncing government violence, political repression and corruption. Ukrainian Catholic clergy have given vital pastoral care to those demonstrating for human rights and democratic principles. And they've been targeted by the government for doing so.

Last week, the Wall Street Journal voiced its frustration with Washington's inaction - and seeming disinterest -- in the face of the worsening Ukraine crisis. The Journal's editors noted that the best way of curbing repression by corrupt Ukraine officials and "business oligarchs" is a visa ban and freeze on their American-based assets. But so far, it hasn't happened.

Philadelphia's Ukrainian Catholic Archbishop Stefan Soroka has called on all of us as fellow Catholics, and other Americans of good will, to support the struggle for religious and civil liberties in Ukraine. We can do that first and most importantly by prayer - and then by contacting our elected representatives. Silence from the United States encourages oppression in Ukraine. We can't let that happen, again, to fellow believers who bore so much suffering for so many decades.

It's a privilege to join my own voice, and the voice of the people and clergy of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, to the voice of Archbishop Soroka and the Ukrainian Catholic community.

+Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Philadelphia



KINDLY NOTE: The statement by Archbishop Stefan Soroka and his brother Ukrainian Catholic bishops in the United States can be found at www.ukrarcheparchy.us/, along with other critical information about the situation in Ukraine.

###

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: Ten Ways To Deepen Our Relationship With God

February 12, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
TEN WAYS TO DEEPEN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD




Over the years I've heard from many good people who want a closer relationship with God. But they're stymied by what they perceive as God's silence. What they often mean, without knowing it, is that they'd like God to do something dramatic in their lives; something with a hint of Mt. Sinai that proves his credentials. But God typically doesn't work that way. He's not in the theater business. God wants to be loved and even in a sense "courted" - which means that we can't be passive partners in the relationship. We need to pursue God as we would the persons we love.

So as we make our way through these last weeks of ordinary time before Lent, here a few steps - in no particular order - that can help us draw closer to God.

First, start by listening to him. Faith isn't a 12-step action program. Nor is it an algebra problem that needs to be "solved." It's a love affair. As with a spouse, the most important thing we can do is to be present and listen. This requires the investment of time and focus. If a spirit of impatience or pretending to listen doesn't work with your spouse, why would it work with God?

Second, cultivate silence. We can't listen when our world is filled with noise and toys. C.S. Lewis often said that noise is the music of hell. Our toys - those things we choose to distract us - keep us diverted from focusing on the main questions of life: Why are we here? What does my life mean? Is there a God, and if so, who is he, and what does he ask of me?

Third, seek humility. Humility is to the spirit what material poverty is to the senses: the great purifier. Humility is the beginning of sanity. We can't really see - much less love - anyone or anything else when the self is in the way. When we finally, really believe in our own sinfulness and unimportance, many other things become possible: repentance; mercy, patience, forgiveness of others. These virtues are the foundation stones of that other great Christian virtue: justice. No justice is ever possible in a spider's web of mutual anger, recrimination and hurt pride.

Fourth, cultivate honesty. Complete honesty is only possible for a humble person. The reason is simple. The most painful but important honesty is telling the truth to ourselves about our own motives and our own actions. The reason honesty is such a powerful magnet is because it's so rare. Modern life is too often built on the marketing of half-truths and lies about who we are and what we deserve. Many of the lies are well-intentioned and not even very harmful -- but they're still lies. Scripture praises the honest woman and man because they're like clean air in a room full of smoke. Honesty allows the mind to breathe and think clearly.

Fifth, seek to be holy. Holy does not mean nice or even good, although truly holy people are always good and often - though not always -- nice. Holiness means "other than." It's what Scripture means when it tells us to be "in the world, but not of the world." And this doesn't just miraculously happen. We need to choose and seek holiness. God's ways are not our ways. Holiness is the habit of seeking to conform all of our thoughts and actions to God's ways. There's no cookie-cutter model of holiness, just as piety can't be reduced to one particular kind of prayer or posture. What's important is to love the world because God loves it and sent his Son to redeem it, but not to be captured by its habits and values, which are not godly.

Sixth, pray. Prayer is more than just that portion of the day when we advise God about what we need and what he should do. Real prayer is much closer to listening, and it's intimately tied to obedience. God certainly wants to hear what we need and love and fear, because these things are part of our daily lives, and he loves us. But if we're doing the talking, we can't listen. Note too, that we can't really pray without humility. Why? Because prayer requires us to lift up who we are and everything we experience and possess to God. Pride is too heavy to lift.

Seventh, read. Scripture is the living Word of God. When we read God's Word, we encounter God himself. But there's more: J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Georges Bernanos and so many others - these were deeply intelligent and powerful writers whose work nourishes the Christian mind and soul, while also inspiring the imagination. Reading also serves another, simpler purpose: It shuts out the noise that distracts us from fertile reflection. We can't read The Screwtape Letters and take network television seriously at the same time. And that's a very good thing.

By the way, if you do nothing else in 2014, read Tolkien's wonderful short story, Leaf by Niggle. It will take you less than an hour, but it will stay with you for a lifetime. And then read C.S. Lewis' great religious science-fiction trilogy - Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra and That Hideous Strength. You'll never look at our world in quite the same way again.

Eighth, believe and act. Nobody "earns" faith. It's a free gift from God. But we do need to be willing and ready to receive it. We can discipline ourselves to be prepared. If we sincerely seek truth; if we desire things greater than this life has to offer; and if we leave our hearts open to the possibility of God -- then one day we will believe, just as when we choose to love someone more deeply, and turn our hearts sincerely to the task, then sooner or later we usually will.

Feelings are fickle. They're often misleading. They're not the substance of our faith. We need to be grateful for our emotions as God's gifts, but we also need to judge them in the light of common sense. Falling in love is only the first taste of love. Real love is both more beautiful and more demanding than the early days of a romance.

In like manner, a dramatic "road to Damascus" style conversion doesn't happen to most people, and not even St. Paul stayed on the road very long. Why? Because in revealing himself to Paul, Jesus immediately gave him something to do. We know and more deeply love Jesus Christ by doing what he tells us to do. In the real world, feelings that endure follow actions that have substance. The more sincere we are in our discipleship, the closer we will come to Jesus Christ. This is why the Emmaus disciples only recognized Jesus in "the breaking of the bread." Only in acting in and on our faith, does our faith become fully real.

Ninth, nobody makes it to heaven alone. We all need friendship and community. A friend of mine who's been married more than 40 years likes to say that the heart of a good marriage is friendship. Every successful marriage is finally about a deep and particular kind of friendship that involves honesty, intimacy, fidelity, mutual sacrifice, hope and shared beliefs.

Every successful marriage is also a form of community. Even Jesus needed these two things: friendship and community. The Apostles were not simply Christ's followers; they were also his brothers and friends, people who knew and supported him in an intimate way. All of us as Christians need the same two things. It doesn't matter whether we're a religious, layperson, deacon or priest, single or married. Friends are vital. Community is vital. Our friends both express and shape who we are. Good friends sustain us. Bad friends undermine us. And that's why they're so decisive to the success or failure of a Christian life.

Tenth and finally, nothing is more powerful than the sacraments of Penance and Eucharist in leading us to the God we seek. God makes himself available to us every week in the confessional, and every day in the sacrifice of the Mass. It makes little sense to talk about the "silence of God" when our churches are made silent by our own absence and indifference. We're the ones with the cold hearts - not God. He's never outdone in his generosity. He waits for us in the quiet of the tabernacle. And he loves us and wants to be loved wholeheartedly in return.

If we're willing to give that love, these steps will lead us to him.

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocesan Schools In The City Of Philadelphia Closed Tomorrow

February 12, 2014

ARCHDIOCESAN SCHOOLS IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA CLOSED TOMORROW



Archdiocesan high schools and Catholic elementary schools in the City of Philadelphia will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, February 13, 2014 due to the impending inclement weather.

Archdiocesan high schools and Catholic elementary schools in the suburban counties normally follow the decision of their corresponding local public school district and submit closure status independently.


###

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Statement On Valentine's Day

February 14, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S STATEMENT ON VALENTINE'S DAY



Today, we celebrate Valentine's Day. Saint Valentine is the patron of happy marriages, engaged couples and young people.

Please join me in praying for married couples as well as all those preparing to enter into the sacred bonds of marriage. The married couple is the building block of the family-the cornerstone of society. Today is a special time to celebrate the authentic love that a husband and wife experience in the person of Jesus Christ and the greater fulfillment of that love in the creation of a family.

And speaking of families, I ask that you pray also for all those working with me to prepare for the World Meeting of Families that will be held here in Philadelphia next year. That event has the power to transform, in deeply positive ways, not just the Catholic Church but our entire community.

Happy Valentine's Day and may the Lord give you every grace and blessing.

+Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Philadelphia


###

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Bishop Emeritus Ricardo Ramirez Of Las Cruces New Mexico To Celebrate Mass In Support Of Immigrants And Immigration Reform The Theme Of The Mass Is "welcoming The Stranger Among Us"

February 17, 2014

BISHOP EMERITUS RICARDO RAMIREZ OF LAS CRUCES NEW MEXICO TO CELEBRATE MASS IN SUPPORT OF IMMIGRANTS AND IMMIGRATION REFORM
The theme of the Mass is "Welcoming the Stranger Among Us"



Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, C.S.B. Bishop Emeritus of the Dioceses of Las Cruces, New Mexico, longtime Hispanic leader and social justice advocate will be the main celebrant and homilist at a Mass honoring immigrants and praying for the passage of immigration reform.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014
7:00 p.m.
Visitation B.V.M. Church
196 North Trooper Road
Norristown, Pennsylvania 19403


Members of Saint Patrick Parish Norristown, which is comprised mainly of Hispanic immigrants, will join Visitation parishioners for this special celebration.

The Mass is organized in collaboration with the Office of the Vicar for Cultural Ministries, the Wolfington Center at Cabrini College, Visitation B.V.M. Parish and Saint Patrick Parish in Norristown. All are welcome to attend.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information please contact Father Gus Puleo, Pastor of Saint Patrick Parish at (610) 272-1408.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Catholic Social Services Introduces New Mobile Outreach Program Serving Pregnant Women And New Mothers

February 18, 2014

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES INTRODUCES NEW MOBILE
OUTREACH PROGRAM SERVING PREGNANT WOMEN
AND NEW MOTHERS



Catholic Social Services (CSS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is pleased to introduce a new mobile unit which will serve pregnant women and new mothers throughout Philadelphia and its surrounding counties. As part of the statewide government-funded Real Alternatives program, the 'Beautiful Beginnings' van will provide pro-life options counseling and vital support services.

Amy Stoner, Director of CSS Community-Based Services, Kevin Bagatta, Esq., President and CEO of Real Alternatives, and Tom Lang, Vice President and Program Director of the Real Alternatives program in Pennsylvania, will be on hand for the brief ceremony along with pregnant women and new moms served by the program locally. Bishop John J. McIntyre will bless the van immediately following the ceremony.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014
10:00 a.m.
Archdiocesan Pastoral Center
222 North 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103


"The 'Beautiful Beginnings' mobile unit extends the reach of our counselors and resources beyond site-based engagement. We are no longer limited by where we have offices, or whether a prospective client can get to us. Now we are going out to them, in their neighborhoods, even in their own homes," says Amy Stoner, Director of Community-Based Services. "The 'Beautiful Beginnings' van is a visible witness to our support for pregnant moms, and positions us better than ever before to ensure that they have every opportunity to make the choice for life. With seasoned counselors now deployed right where the action is, this is truly front line pro-life work."

CSS has been a Real Alternatives service provider for 18 years and has nearly 30 staff members in its Community-Based Services division who are trained as Real Alternatives counselors. Last year, CSS was acknowledged as the top provider in PA with 3,357 pregnant women served.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information on Catholic Social Services, please visit www.cssphiladelphia.org/ or call 215-587-3590. For information on Real Alternatives, please visit http://www.realalternatives.org/ or call 1-888-LIFE AID.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia To Hold Mass For Healing For Victims Of Clergy Sexual Abuse

February 20, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA TO HOLD MASS FOR
HEALING FOR VICTIMS OF CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE



Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will be the principal celebrant and homilist for the Mass for Healing for victims of clergy sexual abuse.

Saturday, March 22, 2014
5:15 p.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103


All are welcome to attend as we continue to pray for the survivors of clergy sexual abuse, for the healing of the Church and for all who have been affected by clergy sexual abuse.

# # #


Editor's Notes: Television cameras will not be permitted in the Cathedral. An audio/video mult-box clean feed is available in the Cathedral parking lot with multiple BNC video and XLR mic/lines. Crews will need a live truck or recording device. The Mass will be streamed live and available at www.archphila.org/.

If you have any questions regarding the Mass or need assistance, please call the Office for Child and Youth Protection at 1-888-800-8780.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: Blessed John Xxiii And The Meaning Of Peace

February 20, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
BLESSED JOHN XXIII AND THE MEANING OF PEACE




Catholic or not, many of us remember Blessed Pope John XXIII with special affection -- a man who committed himself to world peace and international justice. With his canonization just two months away, it's a good moment to consider his legacy.

In talking about peace, John always began with the rights of the individual human person and the importance of the common good. Peace in the world begins in our own personal actions, and in public forums like Congress and state legislatures. We can't build justice in foreign countries if we ignore it here at home. And we can't protect our own rights unless we defend the rights of the weakest members of our own society.

John reminded us that "the whole reason for the existence of civil authorities" is to serve the common good, with a special preference for the poor. He taught us that the common good includes the needs of the whole human person -- both body and soul.

The common good means the right to food and shelter and vital social services, especially for the marginalized. It means the right to decent working conditions and the right to basic economic security for widows, the disabled and the elderly. It means special support for marriage, children and the family.

And it also means the right to life of the sick, the unwanted and the unborn child -- because the right to life is more than just another "important" issue; it's the foundation stone of every other human right. Without it, every other right is a pious fiction.

When the Church urges us to have a "preferential option for the poor," Catholics need to live it - and we do seek to live it though our inner-city schools, our work with the homeless and immigrants, and our services for the poor. No one, anywhere, anytime, is more committed to the common good than people who believe sincerely in the Gospel and then let their personal faith guide their public actions. The Catholic Church in Philadelphia has done - and continues to do - an astonishing job of outreach to persons in need, and we can thank God for that.

But Churches and charities can't build a better society alone. Americans have a well-earned wariness of big government and a healthy insistence on limiting its interference with their rights and beliefs. But we do need government to do its rightful job. We do need government to serve the common good with laws that defend the weak, and with the money, personnel and other resources to ensure a life of basic dignity for all our people.

Anyone who knows the Epistle of James also knows that faith without works is dead, and words without deeds are empty. We need to prove our good intentions by the actions we take, both personally and through our public institutions. That means we need public policies that defend human dignity from conception, through childhood and adulthood, to natural death.

This year, 2014, is yet an election year. We need to live our citizenship seriously. We need to take an active part in the public conversation about our country's direction, because our faith is a sign of real pluralism. Our faith serves the common good not just through Catholic schools and all our other social ministries, but also in the kind of officials we elect and the demands for justice that we place on them.

South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said that, "I'm always puzzled about what Bible people are reading when they say that religion and politics don't mix." Of course they mix, because they both deal with struggles over the nature of right and wrong, justice and mercy. They've always mixed - and on matters of vital public interest, they should. People of religious faith need to act with charity and prudence, but they nonetheless need to demand from both political parties a real commitment to human dignity -- always starting with the unborn child but never ending there; always starting with the unborn child, but always embracing the poor, the elderly, the hungry, the jobless, the immigrant and marginalized persons at every stage of human development.

That's the kind of Christian witness "Good Pope John" hoped for all of us. That's our Catholic service to the common good. And when our public institutions support that vision of the common good with the money, personnel and resources to make it real, that's when our nation and world will begin to embody what John XXIII meant by peace.

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Announcement Regarding Reverend James J. Collins And Reverend John P. Paul

February 23, 2014

ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING REVEREND JAMES J. COLLINS AND REVEREND JOHN P. PAUL



Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. has found Reverend James J. Collins not suitable for ministry following a substantiated allegation that he sexually abused a 17-year old minor over 40 years ago.

Archbishop Chaput has also found Reverend John P. Paul unsuitable for ministry following a substantiated allegation that he sexually abused a 17-year old minor over 40 years ago.

Today's announcements are neither connected to one another nor to the cases of priests placed on administrative leave following the February 2011 Grand Jury Report.

Following Archbishop Chaput's determinations of their unsuitability for ministry, neither Father Collins nor Father Paul will have public ministry in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. They have the right to appeal the decions to the Holy See. If they do not appeal, or if an appeal is unsuccessful, they could be laicized (removed from the clerical state) or live a life of prayer and penance.

Announcements were previously made at the parishes where these priests last served when they were placed on administrative leave. Follow up announcements were made at those parishes this weekend regarding the final decisions in their cases. Counselors were made available for parishioners.

Consistent with the Archdiocesan Policy for the Protection of Children and Young People, promulgated in October of 2012, the allegations against Fathers Collins and Paul first were reported to the appropriate local district attorney's office so that law enforcement could investigate these matters and review them for possible criminal charges. Upon declination of criminal charges by the district attorney, the Archdiocesan Office of Investigations began its investigation in each case. The results of this process were submitted to the Archdiocesan Professional Responsibility Review Board (APRRB). The APRRB is comprised of twelve men and women, both Catholic and non-Catholic, with extensive professional backgrounds in the investigation and treatment of child sexual abuse. It functions as a confidential advisory committee to the Archbishop, which assesses allegations of sexual abuse as well as allegations of violations of The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries. This body provided a recommendation regarding suitability for ministry to the Archbishop, who made the final decisions.


Background Information Regarding Father James J. Collins
In May 2013, the Archdiocese publicly announced that Archbishop Chaput placed Reverend James J. Collins on administrative leave following an allegation that he sexually abused a minor over forty years ago. Additional information regarding that announcement is available at http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr002171.php.

Biographical Information Regarding Father James J. Collins
Father Collins is 75 years old. He was ordained in 1964. He served at the following parishes, schools and offices: Saint John the Evangelist, Philadelphia (1964); Roman Catholic High School for Boys (1964-1965); Saint Paul, Philadelphia (1964-1965); Office of the Metropolitan Tribunal (1964-1965); Our Lady of Pompeii, Philadelphia (1965); Student Priest at the Pontifical North American College, Rome (1965-1968); Saint Stephen, Philadelphia (1966); Cardinal Dougherty High School, Philadelphia (1968-1969); Immaculate Conception, Philadelphia (1968-1975); Roman Catholic High School for Boys, Philadelphia (1969-1976); Saint Paul, Philadelphia (1975-1976); Saint Christopher, Philadelphia (1976); Holy Family University (1976-2013); placed on administrative leave (2013).

Background Information Regarding Father John P. Paul
In December 2013, the Archdiocese publicly announced that Archbishop Chaput placed Reverend John P. Paul on administrative leave following allegations that he had sexually abused minors over 40 years ago. Additional information regarding that announcement is available at http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr002293.php.

Biographical Information Regarding Father John P. Paul
Father Paul is 67 years old. He was ordained in 1972. He served at the following parishes and schools: Saint Alphonsus, Maple Glen (1972-1974); Faculty, Archbishop Kennedy High School (1974-1975); Saint Isaac Jogues, Wayne (1974-1975); Faculty, Bishop McDevitt High School, Wyncote (1975-1986); Faculty, Saint James Catholic High School for Boys, Chester (1986-1990); Saint Robert, Chester (1986-1990); Faculty, Archbishop Kennedy High School (1990-1993); Saint Philip Neri, Lafayette Hill (1990-1995); Faculty, Kennedy-Kenrick High School, Norristown (1993-1997); Faculty, Archbishop Wood High School, Warminster (1997-2000); Saint Andrew, Newton (1997-2000); Our Lady of Calvary, Philadelphia (2000-2013); placed on administrative leave (2013).

To Make a Report

To report an allegation of sexual abuse, contact your local law enforcement agency and the Office for Investigations at 1-888-930-9010.

To report a violation of The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries, contact the Archdiocesan Office for Investigations at 1-888-930-9010.

We recognize that this public notice may be painful to victims of sexual violence. If you need support or assistance, victim services and referrals are available to you through the Victim Assistance Office of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at 1-888-800-8780 or [email protected].

###

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Sponsors Pilgrimage To Rome For Canonization Of Blessed Popes John Xxiii And John Paul Ii

February 24, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA SPONSORS PILGRIMAGE TO
ROME FOR CANONIZATION OF
BLESSED POPES JOHN XXIII AND JOHN PAUL II




The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is sponsoring a nine day pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi for the canonization of Blessed Popes John XXIII and John Paul II. Pope Francis will preside at the ceremonies at the Basilica of Saint Peter on Sunday April 27th.

The trip also features a general papal audience with the Holy Father, a tour of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, and a walking tour of major Roman attractions including the Collosseum, Trevi Fountain and other historic landmarks. There will also be a full day trip to Assisi, the birthplace of Saint Francis.

Pilgrims will leave Philadelphia Monday April 21 and return Tuesday April 29. Registration for this pilgrimage is due as soon as possible.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information about the pilgrimage, contact the Office for Divine Worship at 215-587-3537. To register, visit http://archphila.org/pdfs/CanonizationApril21-29Flyer.pdf or call Select International Tours at 800-842-4842.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Ash Wednesday In The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Catholics Throughout The Philadelphia Region Mark The Beginning Of Lent

February 26, 2014

ASH WEDNESDAY IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA
Catholics throughout the Philadelphia region mark the beginning of Lent




Archbishop Charles J. Chaput O.F.M. Cap. will be the principal celebrant for the Ash Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Catholics in over 230 parishes across the five-county Archdiocese will attend Mass or a Liturgy of the Word and receive ashes on their foreheads which are marked in the sign of a cross to remind them to repent and believe in the Gospel as Lent 2014 begins with Ash Wednesday.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014
12:05 p.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103


Ash Wednesday signifies the beginning of Lent for Christians throughout the world. Lent is the 40-day penitential season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving from Ash Wednesday through Holy Thursday in preparation for Easter.

Beginning next week, the Cathedral Basilica will offer the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation each Wednesday evening beginning at 7:00 p.m. for the duration of the Lenten Season in addition to other scheduled times. Likewise, individual parishes throughout the Archdiocese may have alternative dates and times for this Sacrament in addition to already scheduled times.

The Bishops of the United States prescribe, as a minimal obligation, that all persons who are fourteen years of age and older are bound to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, all the Fridays of Lent and Good Friday. Further, all persons eighteen years of age and older, up to and including their fifty-ninth birthday, are bound to fast by limiting themselves to a single full meal on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday, while the other two meals on those days are to be light.

# # #


Editor's Note: For Ash Wednesday Mass in the Cathedral, an audio and video mult-box feed will be provided. Crews will need a bnc connector and recording deck or a live truck. Television cameras will not be permitted in the Cathedral. Reporters and still photographers will be permitted in the Cathedral.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: Three Simple Questions On The Threshhold Of Lent

February 27, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
THREE SIMPLE QUESTIONS ON THE THRESHHOLD OF LENT




Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, falls on March 5 this year. Lived well, Lent can convert the heart and transform a person's life. That's the whole point of the season - to ready us for the miracle of Easter. But self-examination, repentance and reconciliation are rarely painless; they can sound a lot easier in theory than they are in practice.

So as we start this year's Lenten journey, a few simple questions and answers might help us on our way:

Reconciliation sounds great as an idea, but how do you reconcile with someone who's bitterly hurt you and won't even acknowledge that he or she has done wrong? Isn't forgiveness a two-way street?

Forgiving those who hurt us is our business. Making our forgiveness contingent on the other person's admission of guilt is just another way of demanding justice and insisting on our "rights." That's a subtle form of pride. Jesus forgave his murderers even as they mocked him on the cross. His forgiveness was a free gift, no strings attached. We can't follow him unless we do the same.

However, you're right that when a breach exists between two people, it can't be healed unless both sincerely want it healed. Even then, someone or something has to provide a means of bringing them back together. That's God's role. Reconciliation is the work of God. Seeking reconciliation is our work. We need to do whatever we can to make peace with others, and then leave the rest in the hands of God.

But if justice is a good thing, why would I simply walk away from it when it comes to my own needs?

You shouldn't. It's always reasonable to insist on being treated fairly and honestly, and we're obliged to treat others in the same way. Unfortunately, you and I and everyone else are also sinners - which means that, inevitably, we'll treat others unjustly and be treated unjustly ourselves. As a result, life can very quickly become a web of angry claims and counter-claims against each other, many of them just, and most of them unresolvable.

The only way to cut our way out of this tangle is to forgive. Forgiveness is an act of freedom. It creates new possibilities. It frees us from the burden of our own wounded selfishness, and it releases others to forgive and get free as well. Handing our claims over to God unburdens us of a huge weight - a weight which will cripple us, no matter how legitimate our complaints, if we carry it too long.

We always work more effectively for justice on behalf of others. When it comes to our own personal situation, the self always gets in the way and clouds our judgment. The great paradox of God's plan is that we only achieve justice through the practice of mercy. Mercy changes both the giver and the receiver. It softens the hardened heart. That's why Scripture so often likens mercy to water in a desert: It brings new life. It encourages conversion and love, which breed acts of justice, which builds peace. So if you want justice for yourself and for others, forgive. Put mercy first. Justice will follow.

Why do I need to indict myself to get ready for Easter? Isn't Easter the season of new life? Where's the joy in spending Lent as the prosecutor at my own trial?

We owe ourselves exactly the same mercy we owe to others. Vilifying ourselves isn't the point of Lent. Purifying our hearts is. Lent is the time when we learn the language of repentance and forgiveness by disciplining our mind, our spirit and our appetites, so that nothing prevents us from hearing God's voice and seeking him out. The joy in Lent comes from our confidence in the resurrection of a Savior who will deliver us from sin and restore us to life.

Of course, unless we understand our own sinfulness, unless we understand the urgency of repentance and reconciliation, the Cross makes no sense; the Resurrection makes no sense. Easter joy is the joy of deliverance and new life. If we don't believe in our bones that we really do desperately need these things, Easter is just another excuse for a holiday sale; and the Sacrament of Penance, and our fasting and almsgiving, are a waste of time.

But in the silence of our own hearts, if we're honest, we know we hunger for something more than our own selfishness and mistakes. We were made for glory, and we're empty of that glory until God fills us with his presence. All things are made new in the victory of Jesus Christ - even sinners like you and me. The blood of the Cross washes away death. It purifies us as vessels for God's new life. The Resurrection fills us with God's own life.

Lent is an opportunity and a grace, not a burden. May we use the weeks of Lent this year to clean and ready our hearts so we can receive Jesus Christ this Easter, and share his life throughout 2014.

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Devotions With The Relics Of Saint Therese And Her Blessed Parents

February 27, 2014

DEVOTIONS WITH THE RELICS OF SAINT THÉRÈSE AND HER BLESSED PARENTS




The Carmelite Monastery invites all to pray in the presence of the relics of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and of her parents, Blessed Louis and Zélie Martin.

Sunday, March 2, 2014
10:00 a.m. (Devotions)
1:00 p.m. (Speaker)
3:30 p.m. (Benediction)
Carmelite Monastery
1400 66th Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19126


Maureen O'Riordan will speak on "Blessed Louis Martin, the 'incomparable father' of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux." Following the speaker, there will be a Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament, with a special blessing for fathers, grandfathers and godfathers. The Carmelite Bookstore will be open until 3:30 p.m.

Devotions with the relics will take place the first Sunday of every month at the monastery.

###


Editor's Note: For more information, please visit www.thereseoflisieux.org/march.

Contact
Annie Korp
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

Archbishop Charles Chaput To Be Keynote Speaker At 6th Annual Men's Spirituality Conference

March 4, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHARLES CHAPUT TO BE KEYNOTE SPEAKER
AT 6TH ANNUAL MEN'S SPIRITUALITY CONFERENCE



Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will be the keynote speaker at the 6th annual Man Up Philly, the largest Men's Spirituality Conference in the Philadelphia area. At this event, Catholic men from across the five-county Archdiocese are encouraged to come together for a day of prayer and fellowship.

Saturday, March 15, 2014
7:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. (Conference)
4:00 p.m. (Mass)
Saint Joseph's University
5600 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131


Other speakers include Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, a speaker featured on Catholic radio and television programs; Tim Donnelly, a Neumann University graduate and contributing writer to the book Sons of Grace; Dr. Mary Anne Layden, a psychotherapist and Director of Education at the Center for Cognitive Therapy at the University of Pennsylvania; Dave Abel, co-founder of Brittany's Hope Foundation, which aids in adoption and humanitarian efforts worldwide; and Charles Ramsey, Commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information on the Men's Spirituality Conference, please visit www.ManUpPhilly.com.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Leadership Delegation To Visit Vatican For Papal Audience And Planning Meetings For World Meeting Of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Led By Archbishop Charles Chaput And Honorary Co-chairs Governor Tom Corbett And Mayor Michael A. Nutter, The Delegation Will Include Key Business And Civic Leaders Who Will Lend Support In Planning This Triennial Event.

March 7, 2014

Leadership Delegation to Visit Vatican for Papal Audience and
Planning Meetings for World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015

Led by Archbishop Charles Chaput and Honorary Co-Chairs Governor Tom Corbett and Mayor Michael A. Nutter,
the delegation will include key business and civic leaders who will lend support in planning this triennial event.

Philadelphia, PA (March 7, 2014) - The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced today that a leadership delegation led by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput O.F.M. Cap. and Honorary Co-Chairs for the Eighth World Meeting of Families, Governor Tom Corbett and Mayor Michael A. Nutter, will travel to Rome in preparation for the September 22-27, 2015 event. The delegation will spend March 24-26 in Rome in planning meetings and events related to the World Meeting of Families. The visit will officially conclude with a Papal Audience between the delegation and Pope Francis.

Announced concurrently with the planned visit to Rome was the lay leadership who will serve as public ambassadors for the World Meeting of Families and the City of Philadelphia during the next 18 months. Mr. Robert J. Ciaruffoli, Chairman and CEO of ParenteBeard LLC, will serve as President of the World Meeting of Families, the 501(c)-3 established to oversee comprehensive planning, logistics and financials for the event. Mr. Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and CEO of Comcast Corporation; Mr. Joseph Neubauer, Chairman of ARAMARK; Mr. David L. Cohen, Executive Vice President of Comcast Corporation; Mr. Daniel J. Hilferty, President and CEO of Independence Blue Cross; and Mr. James J. Maguire, Sr., Co-Principal of The Maguire Foundation; will serve as Co-Chairs of the Executive Leadership Cabinet, which will support the World Meeting of Families in outreach to the broader corporate and philanthropic community. Mr. Ciaruffoli, Mr. Neubauer, Mr. Hilferty and Mr. Maguire will be members of the official delegation to Rome.

"We are delighted to have such an esteemed delegation represent the World Meeting of Families- Philadelphia 2015 at the Vatican," said Archbishop Chaput. "I have always welcomed the World Meeting of Families as an event that has the power to transform, in deeply positive ways, not just the spirit of Catholic life in our region, but our entire community. I am grateful to so many civic and business leaders- representing many different faiths - for their willingness to undertake this endeavor with the Archdiocese. Their recognition of the World Meeting of Families as a gift not only to the City and Commonwealth but to the nation gives me great confidence as we move forward in planning. I look forward to sharing these important updates and our momentum with Pope Francis."

Echoing Archbishop Chaput's sentiments, Mr. Ciaruffoli commented, "There is much to be done in planning and executing such a significant global event. We are equal to the task. We've developed an organizational structure that encourages meaningful participation at many levels. We are working closely with the City of Philadelphia on all the ways this event can positively affect our city and region. Our upcoming visit to Rome will give us another way to more deeply engage the planning process and better understand the full scope of this event."


The 2015 event in Philadelphia marks the first time the United States will welcome this event, which was last hosted by Milan, Italy in June 2012. The three-day visit by the delegation to Rome will focus upon fact-finding and high level discussions regarding the City's preparation for the World Meeting of Families, which is expected to draw tens of thousands from more than 150 nations. The delegation's projected itinerary currently includes:

Monday, March 24: A reception at Villa Richardson, the personal home of the United States Ambassador to the Vatican, Mr. Kenneth F. Hackett
Tuesday, March 25: A meeting with representatives from the Pontifical Council for the Family to discuss logistics and timeline for the September 2015 event
A news conference featuring Archbishop Paglia, President of the Holy See Pontifical Council for the Family, and Archbishop Chaput at La Sala Stampa (The Vatican Press Office)
Wednesday, March 26: A Papal Audience with His Holiness, Pope Francis

"Philadelphia is a world-class city with a long tradition of inter-faith cooperation," said Mr. Neubauer. "Strong families benefit our city, our state and our nation. The opportunity to present our plans to Pope Francis - a leader whose vision has captured the imagination of Catholics and non-Catholics alike is inspiring. As a member of this delegation and Co-chair of the Executive Leadership Cabinet, I look forward to collaborating with business and civic leaders to make sure that Philadelphia shines on the world stage."

Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Blessed John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe. Each World Meeting of Families has a theme, which aims to emphasize the good news of the family and highlight its intrinsic value to the good of society. The official theme for the Eighth World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia will be announced at the March 25 press conference at La Sala Stampa.
For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September 2015, please visit www.archphila.org or www.WorldMeeting2015.org.

###

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: Come To Philadelphia: An Invitation To The World's Families For 2015

March 7, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
COME TO PHILADELPHIA: AN INVITATION TO THE WORLD'S FAMILIES FOR 2015




Here's a simple fact: The dignity of the human person is what all Catholic teaching seeks to advance. But what sets the Christian faith apart from every other revolutionary movement for justice is the rejection of violence and the affirmation of the power of love. Real love -- love that involves a complete surrender of ourselves to meet the needs of another person -- is life's most challenging and rewarding experience.

We learn this first and most fruitfully in the school of love which is the family. Vatican II described the family as "the first and vital cell of society." And it very wisely taught that "the well-being of the individual person and of both human and Christian society is closely bound up with the healthy state of conjugal and family life."

The power of the family boils down to a very particular, very intimate, kind of witness. This is why the greatest gift a father can give his children is to love their mother. Nothing is more demanding, and nothing takes more care and self-sacrifice, than love within a family. But neither is anything more joyful than when a parent's love comes to harvest in a child who grows into a man or woman filled with character, courage and grace. Loving "humanity" is easy. Theories about love and justice are always easier than the reality. But loving real persons in all their messy complexity as God wants them to be loved, day in and day out -- that's what separates the wheat from the chaff. And nowhere is that truer than within a family.

Blessed (and soon to be canonized St.) Pope John Paul II once described the Christian family as "the most effective means for humanizing and personalizing society," building up the world "by making possible a life that is, properly speaking, human."

That's still true. And we've never needed healthy families more urgently than now. The developed world has created an environment where today, both parents often have jobs outside the home; a society of more work and more stress, caused by our addictive consumption of goods, which is fueled by the relentless marketing of products, which creates more consumer debt, which generates the need for longer work hours, in order to make more money. The result is pretty obvious. Families have no time to be a family. And tens of millions of husbands and wives are essentially working to service their credit-card debt. They live to pay their bills.

To counter this, one of the most important gifts a family can share is gratitude. Gratitude is the beginning of joy. Gratitude leads to humility. Humility makes us aware of others. And an awareness of others and their needs softens our hearts to forgive; it helps us to see our own sins and our own need for repentance more clearly. These are the seeds of real justice and real mercy, that kind that endures, without which no society can survive.

The lesson is this: As families, we need to teach our children that what we do becomes who we are. We need to share more and acquire less. We need to unplug a little from the network of noise that surrounds us. And we need to create the room for a silence that we can fill with conversation; conversation with each other and with God.

We can't do this alone. And therein lies the tremendous value of families coming together to reinforce each other's vocation, to deepen their faith and to experience the presence of God. This is the mission of the World Meeting of Families: to show the joy of authentic family life to the world, and to invite others from around the world to share in it.

In September next year, families from around the globe will gather in Philadelphia for the Eighth World Meeting of Families. We have strong hopes that our wonderful Pope Francis will join us. And we're confident that the Spirit of God and his transforming joy will bless everyone who takes part. This is a moment of grace not just for Catholics, but for the whole Philadelphia region and people of good will across the wider community; an opportunity for renewal that comes once in a lifetime. All will be welcome. So please keep this gathering in your daily prayers. And please, please, urge others to join us here in the City of Brotherly Love in 2015!

On-going information about the Eighth World Meeting of Families can be found at: www.worldmeeting2015.org

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

'mass Mob' Initiative Makes Area Debut In The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia

March 11, 2014

'MASS MOB' INITIATIVE MAKES AREA DEBUT IN
THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA




Faithful throughout the Archdiocese are invited to participate in an evangelization initiative making its area debut here in Philadelphia. Borrowed from the idea of flash mobs and modeled after a successful grassroots program developed in the Diocese of Buffalo, a "Mass mob" encourages Catholics to come together in an organized fashion and in large numbers to attend Mass at a designated parish.

Mass Mob Philly will hold its first gathering at Saint Francis Xavier, The Oratory.

Sunday, March 23, 2014
11:15 a.m.
Saint Francis Xavier, The Oratory
24th and Green Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19130


Like a flash mob, Mass mobs are organized almost entirely through social media. Future venues for Mass mobs will be put up for vote on their various social media channels. All Mass mobs will be planned collaboratively with the Parish staff, and can occur only with approval from the Parish leaders.

# # #


Editor's Note: To learn more about this movement, which is organized entirely by lay Catholics with support from various parishes, please visit www.massmobphilly.org.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Catholic Foundation Of Greater Philadelphia Launches 2014 Catholic School Students For Catholic Charities Fundraising Program

March 11, 2014

CATHOLIC FOUNDATION OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA
LAUNCHES 2014 CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS
FOR CATHOLIC CHARITIES
FUNDRAISING PROGRAM




The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia has launched this year's Catholic School Students for Catholic Charities fundraising program, intended to educate students with the works of the Archdiocese and emphasize the relationship between charity and our Catholic faith. Student fundraiser ideas include bake sales, pep rallies, basketball shoot-offs, car washes, karaoke nights and school dances.

The money raised by Catholic School Students for Catholic Charities will be used exclusively to support the schools of Special Education in the Archdiocese: Archbishop Ryan Academy for the Deaf, Saint Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairments, Saint Katherine Day School and Our Lady of Confidence Day School.

A collective event including live music and entertainment is planned for May to recognize students' fundraising efforts during this Lenten season. In addition, Bishop Michael Fitzgerald, who oversees Catholic education in the Archdiocese, will offer remarks and acknowledge schools with outstanding participation.

The 2014 Catholic Charities Appeal, which was officially launched in February, is the single largest fundraising initiative in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Funds from the Appeal assist many programs administered by the Archdiocese, including housing and meals for the homeless, senior and family service centers, afterschool programs, community food cupboards and residential and community-based academic programs for dependent and delinquent youth, developmentally disabled and special needs children.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information about The Catholic Charities Appeal please contact 215-587-5650 or visit www.catholiccharitiesappeal.org.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Statement Regarding The Outcome Of Father Andrew Mccormick's Trial

March 12, 2014

STATEMENT REGARDING THE OUTCOME OF
FATHER ANDREW MCCORMICK'S TRIAL




Father Andrew McCormick was placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in March 2011. This action followed concerns raised by a Grand Jury Report issued in February of that year. Since that time, he has not exercised public ministry. He has not and may not administer the sacraments publicly or present himself as a priest in good standing.

In July 2012 police arrested Father McCormick based on an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor received directly by law enforcement. That allegation had not been previously reported to the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese immediately and publicly urged individuals with relevant case information to contact either the Philadelphia Police Department's Special Victims Unit or the Philadelphia District Attorney's Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit.

The Archdiocese was not involved in Father McCormick's legal defense and did not underwrite its costs.
The Archdiocese will not move forward with its canonical process as the criminal proceedings against Father McCormick have not come to a conclusion. Father McCormick will remain on administrative leave with all current restrictions in place at this time.

We understand that the spotlight on Father McCormick's trial has been difficult for survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones. We regret their continued burden and urge survivors and their families to seek support and assistance through the Victim Assistance Program administered by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at 1-888-800-8780 or [email protected].

The Church remains committed to helping the survivors of sexual abuse heal, and to ensure that all young people in her care are protected. We pray for all those impacted by the outcome of this trial and especially for all those who suffer due to the tragedy of sexual abuse.


To Make a Report
To report an allegation of sexual abuse, contact your local law enforcement agency and the Office for Investigations at 1-888-930-9010.

To report a violation of The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries, contact the Archdiocesan Office for Investigations at 1-888-930-9010.

###


Editor's Note: For a copy of the statement regarding Father McCormick's arrest in July 2012, please visit http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr002015.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Mr. Thomas S. Fertal Named 3rd President Of Cardinal O'hara High School

March 14, 2014

MR. THOMAS S. FERTAL NAMED
3RD PRESIDENT OF CARDINAL O'HARA HIGH SCHOOL




The Office of Catholic Education (OCE) and the Faith in the Future Foundation are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Thomas S. Fertal as the 3rd President of Cardinal O'Hara High School in Delaware County. Mr. Fertal will formally assume his responsibilities on June 1st. He succeeds Dr. William J. McCusker, President of Cardinal O'Hara since 2001, who previously announced his retirement would be effective at the end of the 2013-2014 academic year.

Mr. Fertal said, "I am humbled to have been selected as the leader of an institution with such a storied history as Cardinal O'Hara High School. From my interaction with representatives of the school, it is clear to me that there is a deep and genuine affinity for the school and for Catholic education within the O'Hara family. I look forward to the honor and the challenge of walking in the footsteps of the school's first President and my former Bishop, the late Bishop Joseph McFadden, as well as continuing the excellent work of Dr. William J. McCusker in serving the students, staff and families of the Cardinal O'Hara community."

Mr. Fertal joins Cardinal O'Hara after having served in various leadership roles in the Diocese of Harrisburg since 1996, including principal at Lancaster Catholic High School since 2010. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice from the Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Restorative Practices and Education from the International Institute of Restorative Practices in Bethlehem (Lehigh County) and is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Leadership from Alvernia University in Reading (Berks County).

Mr. Casey Carter, Chief Executive Officer of the Faith in the Future Foundation said, "Tom's tremendous personal leadership made all the difference in shaping Lancaster Catholic into the success story that it is today. We are just thrilled for the entire O'Hara community that Tom has agreed to join our team and bring all of his energy and enthusiasm for Catholic education to this great school. I can't wait to see the great things he is going to bring to O'Hara."

A devout Catholic, Mr. Fertal is a Charter member and Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 15028 in Elizabethtown (Lancaster County). He is also a three-time presenter at the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry on the topic of Catholic High School campus ministry/Catholic Identity and a two-time global presenter on the topic of leadership at the International Leadership Association and International Institute for Restorative Practices. Mr. Fertal and his wife of 19 years are the parents of six children.


# # #


Editor's Note: For information about Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit www.catholicschools-phl.org.

For information about the Faith in the Future Foundation please visit www.faithinthefuture.com


Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Casa Del Carmen Graduates First Green Light Pantry Class

March 18, 2014

CASA DEL CARMEN GRADUATES FIRST GREEN LIGHT PANTRY CLASS




The Green Light Pantry at Casa del Carmen, a ministry of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will graduate the first Green Light Pantry class. Diego Castellanos, host of WPVI-TV Channel 6's "Puerto Rican Panorama," will be the guest speaker. In association with the graduation, the United Way and the Philadelphia Eagles will participate in a groundbreaking for garden beds and a jungle gym that will be used to grow fruits and vegetables for the Green Light Pantry.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014
10:00 a.m.
Casa del Carmen
4400 North Reese Street
Philadelphia, PA 19140



The Green Light Pantry is one of two food pantries in the city solely providing nutritious foods to clients as well as free nutrition workshops, health screenings and other services. Developed by the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, it focuses on promoting healthy eating while helping low-income families put food on the table. It provides families with foods categorized as "green light foods" under a system developed by the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, which ranks foods based on their nutritional value and USDA dietary guidelines.

###


Editor's Note: Casa del Carmen has served the Latino community of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia since 1954, providing counseling, family support services, daycare and afterschool programs for children. For more information on Casa del Carmen please visit http://www.catholicsocialservicesphilly.org/family_service_centers_casadelcarmen.php.

Contact
Annie Korp
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Announces Sale Of Selected Works By Thomas Eakins Through Christie's Private Sales This Action Is The Latest In A Series Aimed At Fulfilling A Plan For A More Vibrant Program Of Priestly Formation To Meet The Needs Of Seminarians As Well As The People They Will One Day Serve In Philadelphia And Throughout The Country

March 21, 2014

SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY ANNOUNCES SALE OF SELECTED
WORKS BY THOMAS EAKINS THROUGH CHRISTIE'S PRIVATE SALES

This action is the latest in a series aimed at fulfilling a plan for a more vibrant program of
priestly formation to meet the needs of seminarians as well as the people they will one day serve
in Philadelphia and throughout the country




Contextual Background
Last March, Archbishop Chaput announced a plan focused on the future viability and sustainability of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. Its stated goal was to bring a sense of energy to the Seminary, its program of priestly formation, its program of permanent diaconate formation and educational opportunities it offers for the general public through the Graduate School of Theology.

The plan called for the Seminary to consolidate its entire operation. The College Division program, currently situated on the lower side of the campus, is slated to move into vacant space within the Theology Division buildings on the upper side of the campus over the next three to five years as necessary renovations are completed.

As a result of this consolidation, the Seminary will retain 35 acres of land as well as sufficient space for state-of-the-art classrooms, dormitories and offices. It will be positioned for future growth to support up to 200 resident seminarians, all non-resident candidates discerning vocations to the permanent diaconate and hundreds of full and part-time students enrolled in the Graduate School of Theology, which offers graduate degrees and catechetical certificate programs for clergy and the laity.

Last October, the Seminary engaged HHF, L.P. as a consultant for the potential lease or sale of the buildings and property currently housing the College Division and announced that funds realized from that process would be directed to the renovations called for in its plan for viability and sustainability. At that time, it was stated that additional necessary funding would be derived from the Heritage of Faith-Vision of Hope Capital Campaign, a new capital campaign focused solely on the Seminary and the sale of select pieces of artwork from the Seminary's collections.

Today's Announcement Regarding the Sale of Selected Pieces of Art
Today, Bishop Timothy C. Senior, Rector of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, announced that the Seminary has entered into an agreement with Christie's for the private consignment sale of five works of art by Thomas Eakins in its collection including: The Right Reverend James F. Loughlin (1902), Reverend James P. Turner (1900), James A. Flaherty (1903), Dr. Patrick Garvey (1902) and Archbishop James Frederick Wood (1877). Most of these portraits feature past faculty members, were gifts to the Seminary and have been in its care for over 80 years.

The decision to sell these works comes with the approval of the Seminary's Board of Trustees after a year-long study conducted by a special Art Committee consisting of art specialists familiar with the history and value of the collection as well as Seminary alumni and administrators. Prior to coming to the conclusion to proceed with a private sale, the Seminary earnestly explored the possibility of partnering with local museums and historical societies in the hope that a cultural institution within the Philadelphia region would make an offer on these paintings, but a willing partner could not be found. While the Eakins paintings represent the most valuable portion of its collection, the Seminary will still maintain a substantial number of religious works of art after their sale.

"The Seminary has long been a steward of these works, but this was the right time to seize an opportunity to do what is best for the artwork and for the Seminary itself," said Bishop Timothy C. Senior, Rector of Saint Charles Borromeo. "We will keep many of the paintings in our collection but the core mission of the Seminary is to form men for service in the Priesthood. We are not a museum. Our hope is that as a result of this decision the Eakins paintings will find a home where they can be well cared for and viewed widely by people from across the country. What we're doing is consistent with our overall efforts to reenergize the Seminary and focus on its mission while building for the future."

Another painting by Eakins, The Translator, has been in the care of the Seminary since 1932 but is owned by the American Catholic Historical Society (ACHS). ACHS has elected to place it for consignment sale along with the pieces owned by the Seminary. Proceeds from the sale of The Translator will revert to ACHS.

Two additional paintings are being consigned for sale by the Seminary. Bonham's has been engaged as the broker for the sale of Saint Peter's Cathedral (undated) by Colin Campbell Cooper and Sotheby's will broker the sale of Archbishop Jadot (1976) by Alice Neel. All of the artworks noted above have been removed from the Seminary and transferred to the custody of the appropriate brokering party.

Future Announcements
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary will continue to make public announcements as it reaches milestones in the fulfillment of its plan for future viability and sustainability. As it works to re-purpose the lower portion of its campus and renovate the upper portion, it will sustain ongoing dialogue with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Lower Merion Township and the community.

The Seminary has served as a leading institution in the formation of Catholic men for the Priesthood in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and dioceses throughout the country for over 180 years. As the Seminary evolves in the coming years, the four pillars of human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation will remain strong.

# # #


Editor's Note: For previous announcements regarding the future viability and sustainability of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, please visit the following links: http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr002125.php. http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr002262.php.

For general information on the Seminary, please visit www.scs.edu.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: Lent And The Road Less Traveled

March 21, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
LENT AND THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED




What Francis of Assisi and every other great saint discovered in their time is that we become who we really are -- we experience life most vividly -- when we allow Jesus Christ to transform and work through us. Each of us as disciples receives a call to share in God's power to give life. That's the meaning of the prayer we all learned as children:

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and we will be created, and You will renew the face of the earth.

Blessed Pope John XXIII described the Church as our mother and teacher. And in that role, the Church gives us a blueprint for accomplishing God's work of renewal. Gaudium et Spes, the Second Vatican Council's great Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, argues beautifully for the dignity of the human person; for economic and social justice; and for true peace and human development. And it offers us an examination of conscience that we can apply during Lent to just about every aspect of our lives:

Do we reverence and defend the dignity of the human person from conception to natural death?

Do we really love our enemies?
Do we even try?

Do we teach our children to have gratitude; to take responsibility for their time, choices and actions; to feel the suffering of others; and to understand their role in building up the common good? Do we encourage that by our own good example?

Do we preach, by our actions, the dignity of human labor and the importance of human free will, work and creativity? Do we live our lives with a clear moral purpose - the purpose of co-creating with God a world shaped by the Gospel?

Do we promote the nobility of marriage and the integrity of the family?

Do we practice justice and mercy in our own social and economic relationships?
Do we try to root out the prejudices in our own hearts? And do we encourage justice in our friends, business associates and leaders?

Do we take an active hand in the public square? Do we demand that our leaders promote the sanctity of the human person? And do we do everything in our power to correct or replace them if they don't?

Finally, do we cultivate in ourselves and in our children an appetite for simplicity, humility and solidarity with others? The word "Catholic" means universal. We live most of our lives in our families and parishes, and that's where our first priorities should always lie. But there's no such thing as a merely "parochial" Catholic. Baptism makes all of us members of the global Christian community. That's why issues like hunger, poverty, economic development, human trafficking, the rights of migrant workers, religious persecution - even when they're happening on the other side of the world - are happening to our brothers and sisters in the Lord. And so they involve us.

We're in the world as agents of God's love and joy. And we need to live in a way that honors each other, and honors the mission of the Church -- because in us and through our actions, both individually and as a community of faith, the outside world will judge the Gospel we claim to believe.

Two images are worth remembering as we move more deeply into Lent.

Here's the first image: The Gospel of John, 19:26-27, says that on Golgotha "when Jesus saw his mother and the disciple that he loved standing near, he said to his mother, 'woman behold your son.' Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold your mother.' And from that hour, the disciple took her into his own home."

Each of us this Lent is that disciple Jesus loved, and loves. And from the cross he's asking us to take the Church into our hearts as John took Mary into his home; to love, defend and care for her, and to advance her mission in the world.

The second image comes from Robert Frost and the last few lines of one his greatest poems:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.


Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth and the life." Following him may be "the road less traveled," but as every great saint learned, it's the road that leads to the joy and light of God's love.

In these days of Lent, and every day of our lives, that road should be ours as well.

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Leadership Delegation Arrives In Rome In Advance Of Planning Meetings And Private Audience With Pope Francis For World Meeting Of Families - Philadelphia 2015

March 24, 2014

Leadership Delegation Arrives in Rome in Advance of
Planning Meetings and Private Audience with Pope Francis for
World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015




Rome, Italy (March 24, 2014) - A special leadership delegation led by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput O.F.M. Cap., Governor Tom Corbett (Pennsylvania) and Mayor Michael A. Nutter (Philadelphia), arrived in Rome , Italy, this morning to commence planning meetings for the Eighth World Meeting of Families, which will be held in Philadelphia, PA in September 2015. Joined by corporate and civic leaders from the Philadelphia region, this delegation prepares for three days of public and private events across the Eternal City as the group engages in discussions of logistics and "best practices" in planning this triennial global event.

The first official event scheduled for the delegation in Rome will be a private reception, held Monday evening, at Villa Richardson, the home of Mr. Kenneth F. Hackett, United States Ambassador to The Holy See. At this event, Ambassador Hackett will officially welcome the Pennsylvania Delegation to Rome and remarks will be offered Archbishop Chaput and Governor Corbett.

Tuesday's agenda for the delegation is robust, beginning with a reception and meeting at the Pontifical Council for the Family (PCF) at 9:15 a.m. (4:15 a.m. EST). Hosted by PCF President Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, this meeting will include remarks from Archbishop Paglia, Archbishop Chaput, Governor Corbett and Mayor Nutter, followed by a ceremonial contract signing for the World Meeting of Families between the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the PCF. A press conference will follow this meeting at 11:30 a.m. (6:30 a.m. EST) at La Sala Stampa, The Press Office of the Holy See. At this time, Archbishop Chaput and Archbishop Paglia will officially announce the theme of the 2015 World Meeting of Families.

The visit culminates on Wednesday when the delegation will visit Domus Sanctae Marthae at 8:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m. EST) for a private Audience with Pope Francis. During this meeting, the delegation will ask Pope Francis to attend the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. Immediately following this private audience, the delegation will then attend the weekly General Audience in Saint Peter's Square at 10:30 a.m. (5:30 a.m. EST), where the 24-person delegation will enjoy reserved seating in close proximity to Pope Francis.

For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September 2015, please visit www.archphila.org or www.WorldMeeting2015.org. You can also follow the visit to Rome on Facebook (Eighth World Meeting of Families), Twitter (@WMF2015M) and Instagram (WMF2015).

About World Meetings of Families
Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Blessed John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe. Each World Meeting of Families has a theme, which aims to emphasize the good news of the family and highlight its intrinsic value to the good of society.


###

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia To Honor Four At Distinguished Graduate Awards

March 25, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA
TO HONOR FOUR AT DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE AWARDS




The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will honor four remarkable Catholic school graduates with its 2014 Distinguished Graduate Awards. The event honors Catholic school alumni who, through their achievements and commitment to living a Catholic life, best embody the spirit of Catholic education in the Archdiocese.

7:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
The Crystal Tea Room - Wanamaker Building (9th floor)
Broad and Juniper Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19107



The four 2014 Distinguished Graduate Awards honorees are:


Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden (posthumously) - Tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg
Our Lady of Lourdes School (Philadelphia) and Saint Thomas More High School for Boys (Philadelphia)

Mr. Brian Zwaan - President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Lending Officer and Director of Penn Liberty Bank
Saint Denis School in Havertown (Delaware County) and Archbishop John Carroll High School in Radnor (Delaware County)

Sister Helen Rapine, IHM - Former Principal and President, Bishop Shanahan High School (Chester County)
Saint Patrick School in Norristown (Montgomery County), Saint Rose of Lima (Philadelphia) and West Catholic High School for Girls (Philadelphia)

Mrs. Eileen Hansen - Hansen Properties, Inc.
Saint David School in Willow Grove (Mongtomery County) and Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls (Philadelphia)

The evening will also include special remembrance of Sister Patricia Spingler, IHM (posthumous), Vice Principal for Advancement at Villa Maria Academy, Malvern and Former Director of Marketing and PR, Office of Catholic Education.

Bishop Michael Fitzgerald said, "Each of this year's honorees embodies what it means to be a Distinguished Catholic School Graduate. Through their commitment to the values of a Catholic life, they have inspired an appreciation for the values of the Catholic school tradition. This event is a wonderful way to not only celebrate the achievements of these proud Catholic school graduates, but also to ensure that current and future students will receive quality Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for years to come."

The Emcee for the evening is Mr. Christopher Mominey, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary for Catholic Education. Mr. Mominey joined the Archdiocese's Office of Catholic Education in July 2013. Bishop Michael Fitzgerald and Bishop Daniel Thomas will be present to offer the opening and closing prayers.

Mr. Mominey said, "I'm honored to be the emcee for such a celebratory evening for Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Over the last year, I've had the opportunity to visit many of the schools and have witnessed firsthand the pride and excitement our students, faculty and staff have shown in carrying out the legacy of Catholic education in our Archdiocese. The Distinguished Graduate Awards allows us to not only honor the past but look ahead to a bright future."

Guests will be entertained by members of the All Catholic Jazz Band. Charlie Harrison, a student at Archbishop John Carroll High School (Delaware County) will sing the National Anthem and Matthew Kelly an Archbishop Ryan High School student will perform on the piano during dinner.

During the program, each honoree will be introduced by a student representative from the honoree's affiliated Archdiocesan high school as well as a video montage. Proceeds from the evening will benefit Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. More information on the dinner can be found at the 2014 Distinguished Graduate Awards website http://distinguishedgraduateawards.org/.


###


Editor's Note: For more information about schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia please visit
www.catholicschools-phl.org.







Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Remarks Of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.f.m. Cap. And Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President Of The Pontifical Council For The Family At Today's World Meeting Of Families--philadelphia News Conference In Rome

March 25, 2014

Remarks of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. and Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family at Today's World Meeting of Families--Philadelphia News Conference in Rome

As part of the Leadership Delegation from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's formal itinerary in Rome, planning meetings were held at the offices of the Pontifical Council for the Family followed by a news conference at the Press Office of the Holy See featuring remarks from Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. and Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family. Full text can be found below.

Remarks of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop Paglia, Bishop Laffitte, Bishop McIntyre, Governor and Mrs. Corbett, Mayor Nutter, Deputy Mayor Gillison, distinguished guests and friends,

Before I do anything, I want to thank His Holiness, Pope Francis, for confirming Philadelphia as the site for this great family event in 2015. He embodies the message of mercy and joy that lies at the heart of the Gospel. His enthusiasm for life and his compassion for the genuine needs of people have inspired us to focus on our common mission of love, and how love so much enlivens all families and its respective members.

For such reasons, we are working on a Preparatory Catechism, not just for our Catholic faithful, but also for all people of good will, as we underline the beauty and truth of family life which, as the most privileged place of love, provides for a dynamism of reciprocal human affection that fills every home and family member with a unique and invigorating light and warmth.

We are very pleased to be working with the Pontifical Council for the Family, the Holy Father's office that has responsibility for the care of families globally. And we sincerely pray that Pope Francis will be able to join us for our celebration next year.

Gatherings like this are a tremendous source of joy. They also demand quite a lot of planning and a great deal of work. They draw many thousands of people - in this case, many thousands of families with children of all ages - and their magnitude poses some very special challenges. But these events also become moments of grace. They have the power to transform, in deeply positive ways, the whole public community.
That's an important point. The World Meeting of Families is meant to be a gift not just for Catholics in Philadelphia, but for every person of good will in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the surrounding regions and the wider world. Everyone with a generous heart is welcome to be a part of it, and I'll be working closely with my brother bishops in the months ahead to encourage families across the globe, to come to Philadelphia in 2015.

Philadelphia is one of my country's greatest cities and uniquely rich in America's history. It's where the United States began as a nation. The political ideals conceived in Philadelphia have served human rights and human freedom for more than two centuries -- not just in the United States but everywhere. Pope Francis has already stressed the importance of human dignity in EvangeliiGaudium and elsewhere. And he's placed a special emphasis on the strength of the family as a guarantee of human flourishing. The more we encourage and support the health of families, the more "alive" society becomes.

Philadelphia is also an American Catholic icon, with two great American saints. Mother Katharine Drexel spent her life serving African Americans and North American Indians. And Bishop John Neumann created parochial schools that became a national model and helped poor immigrant families educate their children. As a result, Philadelphia has a great Church legacy of Catholic education, and many decades of service to immigrants, minorities, persons with disabilities, the elderly, the hungry and the poor. That service continues right now, today, in all our Catholic social ministries.

The Church in Philadelphia is also very much a community in need of renewal in the wake of the sexual abuse crisis of the past decade. In that sense, Philadelphia is a snapshot of the Church globally. We have a duty to help abuse victims and their families to heal, and to protect children and young people from harm in the years ahead.

At the same time, the Church still has the duty to help people find God and to live their faith with joy and conviction. The story of repentance and new life was the story of ancient Israel, and it's the story of the Church at her best throughout history.

I think faithful Catholics everywhere know that. And they long for a chance to deepen God's presence in their own families, and to share the Gospel with a world that urgently needs hope. That's why - with the help of God - the World Meeting of Families in 2015 will achieve everything God intends for it.

I want to thank Governor Tom Corbett of Pennsylvania and his wife Susan for being here today, and Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia, along with Deputy Mayor Everett Gillison. The Governor and Mayor have very kindly agreed to serve as honorary co-chairs of the World Meeting of Families. I want to say publicly that Philadelphia's Catholic community is very, very grateful for your presence here today and for your support.

I'm also very grateful to the major interfaith and ecumenical leaders of Philadelphia's business community who have joined their Catholic colleagues in serving as co-chairs of the meeting's Executive Leadership Cabinet. They honor the Holy Father and our world meeting with their support. It's a wonderful coincidence that this global gathering of families will happen exactly 50 years after the close of the Second Vatican Council - a council that opened the Catholic Church to the Jewish and wider Christian community in a decisive way.

With us today are cabinet co-chairs Mr. Daniel Hilferty and his wife Joan; Mr. James Maguire and his wife Frances; and Mr. Joseph Neubauer and his wife Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer. Mr. Brian Roberts and Mr. David Cohen were unable to join us in Rome today because of schedule conflicts, but I want to offer them my sincerest thanks as well.

I also want to acknowledge the extraordinary service of Bishop John McIntyre, who has general oversight of the event for the Church in Philadelphia; Father William Donovan, our Archdiocese of Philadelphia liaison here in Rome working with the Pontifical Council for the Family; Mr. Robert Ciaruffoli, president and board chairman of the World Meeting of Families/Philadelphia corporation; board member and business leader Mr. Eustace Mita and his wife Susan; Mrs. Donna Crilley Farrell, the executive director of our Philadelphia efforts; and Mr. Brian Tierney, another great supporter of the World Meeting of Families, and his wife Maud.

Much work still needs to be done in perfecting the design and content of this event. But we very much want the World Meeting of Families in 2015 to be a moment of hope and joy for every person and every family that attends. It's especially fitting that next month Blessed John Paul II will be canonized a saint by our Holy Father. It was Blessed John Paul II, the Pope of the Family, who first proposed these global meetings on the family. And we in Pennsylvania are grateful to continue this great tradition of reaffirming the importance, the beauty and the joy of Christian family life.

To that purpose, we're bringing together the best experts we can enlist to address the pastoral, social, economic and cultural challenges that families now face. In the end, our goal is simple. We want to help families strengthen their family life in very practical ways. And so I'd ask everyone here today to pray that God will guide our efforts in a way that benefits his people, and proves worthy of the families and communities we serve.

Remarks of Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia
Ladies and Gentlemen,

As President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, it is my great honor to welcome the Archbishop of Philadelphia, the Most Reverend Charles Chaput, the Mayor of Philadelphia, The Honorable Michael Nutter, and the Governor of Pennsylvania, the Honorable Tom Corbett, and all the members of the delegation that has come to Rome for the official start of preparations for the World Meeting of Families to be held in Philadelphia from the twenty-second to the twenty-seventh of September in 2015. For myself, and on behalf of the Presidential Committee, the Members and the Consultors of the Pontifical Council for the Family, I thank them most sincerely for the welcome they are giving to this event that is extraordinarily significant in the life of the Catholic Church.

As we know, His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI announced the choice of Philadelphia at the conclusion of the two thousand twelve World Meeting of Families in Milan, and Pope Francis confirmed it in his Letter to Families dated February second of this year.

The Philadelphia Meeting will be held at a particularly important time for the Church. Pope Francis, in fact, has decided to focus all of Catholicism on the subject of the family. Last month, he called a Consistory, an official gathering of his Cardinals, to hear their advice on family concerns. Next October, he will preside over a Special Meeting of the Synod of Bishops to study the question of "The Challenges to Families in the Context of Evangelization;" and that same theme will be pursued in the Regular Meeting of the Synod scheduled for October of two thousand fifteen.

Within that framework, it is particularly significant that our Meeting will be held just before the October two thousand fifteen Synod, and that its theme will be "Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive."

Likewise, we cannot forget that this moment in the Church coincides with the process of analysis and discussion undertaken by the United Nations this year to celebrate the Twentieth Anniversary of the International Year of the Family, and we must not underestimate the fact of the geographic proximity between the ecclesial event taking place in Philadelphia and the debates being held in the headquarters of the United Nations in New York. That proximity is a providential call to religious and civil institutions to work together to bring a better future to all the families of the world.

The Philadelphia Meeting is looking first of all to gathering the Churches of the Americas, and it is encouraging participation by all the diverse cultures, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, that people these vast continents. In addition, there is no doubt that the presence on the Chair of Peter of the first Latin American Pope makes the event even more meaningful. The Pope who bears the name of Francis of Assisi, the saint of universal brotherhood, the Pope who was called "from the ends of the earth," is already walking with us as we prepare for the two thousand fifteen Meeting. We see what he has already done just this past year: The Family Pilgrimage of the Year of the Faith last twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh of October; the twenty-first Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Family three days before, which studied the Charter of the Rights of the Family on its thirtieth anniversary; the Meeting between the Pope and engaged couples in St. Peter's Square for Valentine's Day this past February 14; the Letter of the Pope to Families and the Consistory on the Family that I mentioned above. These are all milestones on a path that is being walked by men and women from all our churches in the world, nor can we fail to mention the questionnaire submitted to all the world's dioceses to facilitate sharing in this journey.

The starting point and the guide for this journey is the one given to us by Pope Francis: "the beauty of the family and of marriage, the grandeur of a reality that is both simple and profound, a combination of joy, hope, burdens and suffering, just like the rest of life." We will seek to deepen our understanding of the theology of the family and of the pastoral care that we must exercise in today's world." "All this we will do," confirmed Pope Francis, "in depth and without tripping into that 'casuistry' that would inevitably diminish the value of our work." The Holy Father emphasized that in today's world the family is looked down on and treated badly and that what we are called on to do is make known how beautiful, and true and good it is to create a family, to be a family in today's world, and how the world, and the future of all human kind, cannot do without the family. Our task is to show the world God's shining plan for families, to help married couples live out that plan with joy, and to be there for them with a shepherd's care that is wise, brave and full of love" (Pope Francis' Opening Discourse to the Special Consistory on the Family, February twentieth, 2014)

This is what we will do as we look toward the Meeting in Philadelphia: we will be there for all the families of the world with a shepherd's care that is "wise," and "brave" and "full of love." Wisdom in understanding what families face today, bravery in taking on today's many and complex problems; and love in helping to resolve those problems in the light of the Gospel of the Family and of Life. We will deal with many issues in our wise, brave and loving work together: theology of the family, married spirituality and holiness, ecclesiology and pastoral care for families, the family in contemporary culture, immigration and the family, the family and ecumenism.

We would also hope that the Meeting in Philadelphia sees a broad and active presence from the other Christian Churches and communities, as well as from representatives of the world's other Great Religions, together with other men and women who, though not religious, are committed to bringing peace and good will to our world.

May our coming together for the family encourage all peoples to remember that we are one family of humankind and that it is together as a family that we must walk the path to true happiness.

###


Editor's Notes: For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September 2015, please visit www.archphila.org or www.WorldMeeting2015.org. You can also follow the visit to Rome on Facebook (Eighth World Meeting of Families), Twitter (@WMF2015) and Instagram (WMF2015).

About World Meetings of Families
Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Blessed John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe. Each World Meeting of Families has a theme, which aims to emphasize the good news of the family and highlight its intrinsic value to the good of society.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

World Meeting Of Families-philadelphia 2015, The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia, Visit Philadelphia, And The City Of Philadelphia Partner On Twitter Campaign To Help Bring Pope Francis To Philadelphia

March 26, 2014

World Meeting of Families-Philadelphia 2015, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, VISIT PHILADELPHIATM, and the City of Philadelphia Partner on Twitter Campaign to Help Bring Pope Francis to Philadelphia


The World Meeting of Families-Philadelphia 2015, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, VISIT PHILADELPHIA, and the City of Philadelphia are encouraging people to show their desire for Pope Francis to visit our city as well as their support for the international event being held in our city next fall.

World Meeting of Families and Archdiocesan social media channels have partnered with VISIT PHILADELPHIA in an effort to bring the hashtag #PopeInPhilly to trending status on Twitter, bringing Councilman James F. Kenney's idea to life. All are welcome and invited to draft tweets asking the @Pontifex to experience Philadelphia using the hashtag #PopeInPhilly or retweet one of the many people/organizations that have already tweeted using the hashtag.

The World Meeting of Families-Philadelphia 2015 is expected to draw tens of thousands to Pennsylvania from more than 150 nations. The presence of Pope Francis could draw over 1 million visitors to the Philadelphia region.

###


Editor's Notes: For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September 2015, please visit www.archphila.org or www.WorldMeeting2015.org. Individuals can also follow the visit to Rome and share information on Facebook (Eighth World Meeting of Families), Twitter (@WMF2015) and Instagram (WMF2015).

About World Meetings of Families
Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Blessed John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe. Each World Meeting of Families has a theme, which aims to emphasize the good news of the family and highlight its intrinsic value to the good of society.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Office Of Catholic Education And Faith In The Future Foundation Announce Administrative Appointments

March 28, 2014

Office of Catholic Education and Faith in the Future Foundation Announce Administrative Appointments


The Office of Catholic Education of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (OCE) and Faith in the Future are pleased to announce the appointments of Mr. Peter Balzano, Principal of Cardinal O'Hara High School (Delaware County), Mr. William E. Brannick, Director of Technology, Office of Catholic Education and Mr. Michael J. McArdle as Director of Financial Aid, Office of Catholic Education.

Addressing the strategic importance of these key appointments, Mr. Christopher Mominey, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary for Catholic Education said, "These three appointments are a continuation of our bold commitment to building out the world's premiere Catholic Education system. Beyond our goal of stabilizing schools, we are actively upgrading leadership and transforming The Office of Catholic Education to best serve the needs of our PK-12 families. By delivering the best in school level leadership, technology development, and strategic stewardship of financial aid resources, we are living our number one commitment: to grow our Catholic schools, to positively impact The Archdiocese and to benefit our communities for years to come."

Mr. Peter Balzano has served the Archdiocese of Philadelphia over the last decade as an educator including as Assistant Principal at Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast High School (Delaware County) and Lansdale Catholic High School (Montgomery County). In September 2011, Mr. Balzano became the Director of Secondary School Services for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Most recently, he was appointed as an Associate Superintendent for Secondary Schools. For the past several months, Mr. Balzano has worked on-site contributing to day-to-day operations at Cardinal O'Hara while fulfilling his Associate Superintendent duties. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education from Temple University and a Master of Science Degree in Strategic and Organizational Leadership from Neumann University. His appointment as Principal of Cardinal O'Hara is effective immediately.

Mr. William E. Brannick joins the Office of Catholic Education after serving as an educator at Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast High School (Delaware County) in various roles, including Principal, since 2007. Mr. Brannick began his career as an educator at Monsignor Bonner as a Business and Technology teacher. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications with a concentration in Media Studies from The Pennsylvania State University. He also holds a Master of Science Degree in Education in Instructional Leadership from Neumann University. He will begin his role as Director of Technology in the Office of Catholic Education effective July 1st.

Mr. Michael J. McArdle will join the staff of the Office of Catholic Education, effective July 1st, in the position of Director of Financial Aid. Mr. McArdle has been President of Archbishop Ryan High School since 2004. He is a veteran educator in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Over the last 30-plus years, he has taught at Father Judge High School for Boys and Saint Hubert High School for Girls. He has held administrator roles at Cardinal O'Hara (Delaware County) and Bishop Shanahan (Chester County) high schools. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Villanova University and a Master of Education Degree in Secondary Education from West Chester University.

# # #


Editor's Note: For information about Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit www.catholicschools-phl.org. For information about Faith in the Future, please visit www.faithinthefuture.com.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Saint Laurentius Church Worship Site To Be Closed Immediately For Safety Reasons

March 28, 2014

SAINT LAURENTIUS CHURCH WORSHIP SITE TO BE CLOSED IMMEDIATELY FOR SAFETY REASONS



The Saint Laurentius Church worship site in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia will be immediately closed until further notice. The building has been examined on multiple occasions over the past several months by an independent engineering firm. An inspection conducted earlier this week led to a recommendation to close the site. This recommendation was accepted by the Archdiocese, which authorized the closure out of concern for the safety of parishioners, students and the surrounding community.

In accordance with requirements set forth by the City of Philadelphia's Facade Ordinance Bill that was enacted in 2010, an initial facade inspection was performed by independent engineers on the Saint Laurentius Church building during fall 2013. That process revealed a number of outstanding maintenance issues including vertical cracks in the brownstone masonry, improperly completed cement patch repairs, and deteriorated faces of brownstone. Protective scaffolding and netting was installed around the church building in an effort to maintain the safety of parishioners and members of the community.

As a result of a follow up inspection conducted this week, structural engineers have noted that the condition of the building has greatly deteriorated because of the weather this winter and is in imminent danger of a collapse.

The future of the church building is still being considered. All masses will be celebrated at Holy Name of Jesus Church moving forward. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will continue to work with parish leadership, engineering consultants and the City of Philadelphia to ensure the immediate safety of parishioners, students and the community at-large.

###

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Share A Simple Meal With Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl Thomas Awiapo To Speak At Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary As Part Of Catholic Relief Services' Rice Bowl Campaign

April 3, 2014

SHARE A SIMPLE MEAL WITH
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES RICE BOWL

Thomas Awiapo to speak at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary as part of Catholic Relief Services' Rice Bowl campaign

Thomas Awiapo, a survivor of bleak poverty and hunger in his village in Ghana, will share his story of perseverance and success over a simple meal at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. Mr. Awiapo survived with the aid of Catholic Relief Services. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is participating in CRS Rice Bowl for the 39th year in a row.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
100 E. Wynnewood Road
Wynnewood, PA 19096


CRS Rice Bowl is a nationwide effort administered by Catholic Relief Services to alleviate hunger both locally and abroad through four components: prayer, fasting, learning, and giving.

The event is sponsored by Catholic Relief Services, Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Region, and Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information on CRS Rice Bowl please contact Anne H. Ayella, CRS Archdiocesan Director at 267-262-8901. For more information on Catholic Relief Services please visit crsricebowl.org.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: A Gathering That Needs Our Support

April 2, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
A GATHERING THAT NEEDS OUR SUPPORT


This week's column is brief. But the subject matter warrants all our attention.

Again this June, our nation's bishops have asked Catholics across the country to observe a "Fortnight for Freedom." The theme this year is "Freedom to Serve." It highlights the many Catholic social and charitable ministries that serve the poor, the homeless and other vulnerable groups in our country, but that now face growing government interference. Details on the Fortnight will be made available throughout the archdiocese in the coming weeks.

Americans tend to take their religious liberty for granted. Religious freedom in the Founders' sense was, and remains, far more robust than a mere "freedom to worship." That makes sense because religious believers played a key role in founding and building the United States, and for Christians, faith is always personal but never private. Faith requires public engagement and expression - not just by individuals, but by communities as well.

This year's Fortnight for Freedom has special urgency because the U.S. Supreme Court will likely rule on cases involving the HHS mandate. The outcome of those cases will have very significant religious liberty implications.

To ready ourselves for this year's Fortnight, I want to focus our attention on a gathering in early May that needs our involvement and support.

In 2009, Catholic and other national religious leaders came together to draft the Manhattan Declaration. The Declaration sought to address growing debates over the sanctity of life, the integrity of marriage and the future of religious freedom in the public square, and to provide the latest news and helpful commentary on these issues.

Since then, Manhattan Declaration supporters have stayed active on all these vital matters, with discussions, action alerts and educational meetings around the country. This year -- on Friday, May 2 -- the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) will sponsor "The Manhattan Declaration in Philadelphia," an interfaith prayer service and religious liberty forum. Speakers and panelists will include Ryan Anderson, editor of The Public Discourse; Marjorie Dannenfelser of the Susan B. Anthony List; author Sherif Girgis; Robert George of Princeton University; Patrick Brennan, Scarpa Chair at the Villanova University School of Law; Alan Sears of the Alliance Defending Freedom, and others.

The May 2 forum will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the F.M. Kirby Auditorium of the National Constitution Center. The Center is located just steps from Philadelphia's Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The event is free of charge but advance registration is required.

I know the demands on everyone's time are very heavy. But I'll be taking an active part in this gathering. And if your schedule allows, I ask you to please join me for this vitally important event. Religious freedom is our first freedom and a fundamental right -- but it can only remain so if we work to protect it.

For additional information and to register, please visit the webpage for "The Manhattan Declaration in Philadelphia"

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Holy Week And Easter Masses At The Cathedral Basilica Of Saints Peter And Paul Palm Sunday Through Easter Sunday April 13, 2014 - April 20, 2014

April 8, 2014

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER MASSES AT THE
CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL

Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday
April 13, 2014 - April 20, 2014




PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD - April 13th, 11:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
will be the principal celebrant and homilist at both Masses. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the Proclamation of the Passion. It marks the beginning of Holy Week. Other Masses on Palm Sunday are: (Saturday Vigil) 5:15 p.m.; (Sunday) 8:00 a.m.; 9:30 a.m.; and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish). (no mult-box feed available)

HOLY THURSDAY CHRISM MASS - April 17th, 9:40 a.m. (Procession) 10:00 a.m. (Mass)
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
will be the principal celebrant and homilist. All Archdiocesan priests are invited to gather and concelebrate with the Archbishop and to renew their priestly promises.

During this Mass, Archbishop Chaput will bless the Oil of Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick as well as consecrate the Oil of Chrism. These holy oils will be used throughout the Archdiocese during the coming year in the celebration of the Sacraments. (mult-box feed available)

The Chrism Mass will be streamed live at www.archphila.org and broadcast live on The Catholic Channel on Sirius XM and Holy Spirit Radio 1420 AM and 1570 AM.

HOLY THURSDAY MASS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER - April 17th, 5:00 p.m.
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
will be the principal celebrant. This Mass commemorates the Last Supper, during which Christ instituted the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, the Sacrament of Holy Orders, and gave us His commandment to love one another. After the homily, following the example of Christ who washed the feet of the Apostles at the Last Supper, the Archbishop will wash the feet of seminarians from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. (mult-box feed available)

GOOD FRIDAY PASSION OF THE LORD - April 18th, 3:00 p.m.
Reverend Monsignor Arthur E. Rodgers, Rector of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Solemn Liturgy of the Lord's Passion, commemorating the Holy Passion and Death of Jesus Christ. The traditional Adoration of the Cross, led by Archbishop Chaput, will take place during the Liturgy. There will be three hours of prayer in the Cathedral from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. during which Confessions will be heard. (no mult-box feed available)

EASTER VIGIL - April 19th, 8:00 p.m.
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Easter Vigil Mass celebrating the Resurrection of the Lord. The Easter Vigil contains four components: Service of Light (Blessing of the Fire and Lighting of the Paschal Candle), Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of Baptism, and the Liturgy of Eucharist.

After a reflective and intense period of prayer during Lent, Catechumens (those who have not been baptized) and Candidates (those who have been baptized) will become full members of the Catholic Church at the Cathedral and parishes throughout the Archdiocese at the Easter Vigil and during Easter Time. In 2014, close to 700 new Catholics will be welcomed into the Church. (no mult-box feed available)

EASTER SUNDAY MASS - April 20th, 12:30 p.m.
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
will be the celebrant and homilist at the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord. Other Masses on Easter Sunday are: 8:00 a.m.; 9:30 a.m.; and 11:00 a.m. There will not be a 6:30 p.m. Mass. (no mult-box feed available)

# # #


Editor's Note: There will be a mult-box feed provided for the Chrism Mass and the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Thursday, April 17th, 2014. Crews will need a bnc connector and recording deck or a live truck. Broadcast Media outlets will have parking space in the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center parking lot. The parking lot entrance is located on 17th Street.

Reporters and still photographers will be permitted in the Cathedral but are asked to remain in the designated area for the media (by the side pillars). All media (including still photographers and video cameras) are asked to remain clear of the center aisles at all times.

For Masses that do not have a mult-box feed, video and still cameras are permitted in the Cathedral with the above restrictions.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput To Celebrate Annual Mass For Persons With Disabilities

April 10, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT TO CELEBRATE
ANNUAL MASS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES




Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the annual Mass for Persons with Disabilities.

The Eucharistic liturgy is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office for Persons with Disabilities and the Deaf Apostolate, which recognizes the needs and gifts of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and facilitates their participation in the life of the Church and its faith community.

Saturday, April 12, 2014
10:00 a.m. (Prelude)
10:30 a.m. (Mass)
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103


The Bell Choir from Divine Providence Village will perform the prelude and the Roman Singers from Roman Catholic and Saint Hubert High Schools will provide the Liturgical music.

All are welcome to attend this special celebration, especially persons with disabilities, the deaf community, and families, friends, neighbors, and caregivers of those with disabilities. A light reception will be held immediately following Mass in the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center at 222 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA, located directly behind the Cathedral.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information please contact the Office for Persons with Disabilities at 215-587-3530. No mult-box feed will be available for media. Cameras will be permitted inside the Cathedral.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: Holy Week And The Gift Of Priesthood

April 11, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
HOLY WEEK AND THE GIFT OF PRIESTHOOD





Holy Week is the most sacred time of the Christian year. And on every Holy Thursday, priests of the archdiocese gather at the annual Chrism Mass to renew their fraternal bonds and the meaning of their vocation.

The readings of the Chrism Mass have a special beauty and power, and they deserve the attention of all the faithful, not just our priests:

First reading: Is 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9
Second reading: Rev 1:5-8
Gospel: Lk 4:16-21


The Bible has dozens of dramatic moments, but the one that arguably matters most is the last line of the Chrism Mass Gospel: "Today, this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." If human history has a center, this is it. If Scripture has a direction and meaning, this is it. All of God's contact with humanity either leads up to this point, or flows from it. As C.S. Lewis once famously observed, in speaking these Gospel words Jesus is either stating a fact, or he's blaspheming, or he's mentally ill. There's no middle ground. And the people in the synagogue who heard him say the words, understood this very well -- which is why they tried to assault him.

Christ's radical claim requires a radical response. The apostles who followed him reconfigured their lives and risked or gave away all that they owned. Joy and fruitfulness come from this kind of discipleship, but very little comfort. Faith is not a leisure activity. And it may become even less so in the years ahead as many people forget their religious roots and drift away from the Church as their home.

Living the Catholic faith, for every committed Christian, is a life of conscious focus and sacrifice. But for priests, whom Christ configures to himself through ordination, this is especially true. The priesthood is a "helping profession" only in the sense that it "helps" to have someone around who's willing to live, serve, intercede, suffer and die on our behalf. Jesus lived and died for all of us. In like manner, priests are called to live and die for their people in his name. Otherwise the priesthood means nothing.

The lives of our priests have a purpose that no one else can fulfill. As Isaiah reminds priests in the Chrism Mass readings, "God has anointed" them. Anointing is the outward physical mark of a permanent, interior covenant. Priests have a mission to which they must conform their lives; a mission to heal the wounded; offer real and enduring freedom to their people; to comfort the suffering, to restore gladness and glory to those who mourn.

The people who carried the Catholic faith forward in history, who made the culture of beauty, music, art and architecture rooted in the Christian understanding of God and humanity - these generations were taught, spiritually fed, and shaped by priests exactly like the men who minister to us in our local Church. Where there is Catholic faith anywhere in the world, it exists because priests offered their lives for the sake of Jesus Christ and the people God called them to serve.

The crisis of our time is not finally a crisis of resources or personnel or intelligence or talent. God has given us enough of all these things, if we steward them with prudence.

Rather, what too many people lack today is faith. Unbelief is easy, like adultery in a marriage where the spouses have stopped cultivating their love out of indifference or resentment. But it leads nowhere, because faith is the only firm foundation for human hope.

Fidelity can be difficult. But it leads in the opposite direction - to meaning, hope and life. And priests play an irreplaceable role in strengthening the faith of the Christian people.

This Holy Week, as we remember Christ's suffering on the cross and ready ourselves for the joy of the Resurrection, please also remember our priests. They need our love and support as brothers in the Lord's work. Thank God for them. Pray for them in a special way. The bond of Christian people and their priests is the strength of the Church in a skeptical world that has never needed the Word of God more urgently.

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Letter Of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.f.m. Cap. To The Jewish Community At Passover

April 14, 2014

LETTER OF ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT, O.F.M. Cap.
TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AT PASSOVER




Together with the clergy and people of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, I want to extend to the local Jewish community our prayerful best wishes during this year's observance of Passover.

Passover is, of course, the great feast that marks the liberation of the Chosen People from slavery. In remembering this miracle, the celebrations relating to Passover do not simply recall the past. These rituals are living reminders that in all times and places, God calls his people to a deeper personal commitment to promote justice in a troubled world. We Catholics, who owe so much to the Jewish roots of our faith, join you in revering this great feast.

Our times are challenging, and it can be easy to fear that evil may triumph. The Exodus event reminds us once again that under heavenly guidance, genuine freedom can never be extinguished.


+Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Philadelphia

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: A Message For Easter 2014

April 16, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
A MESSAGE FOR EASTER 2014




Dear friends in Jesus Christ,

For Christians, Holy Week is the most sacred time of year. It's a time to reflect on what the "good news" of Jesus Christ really means. C.S. Lewis once wrote that "Christianity is a thing of unspeakable joy. But it begins not in joy, but in wretchedness, and it does no good to try to get to the joy by bypassing the wretchedness." Jesus Christ lived for us; suffered and died for us, and then was raised up for us. And because of that truth -- because of those facts of history -- joy and hope have taken root in the world.

The real joy of the Gospel doesn't happen at Christmas. It happens on the other side of Golgotha. The cross is the way Christ accomplishes our redemption. Only in being nailed to the wood with him, can we rise with him on Easter. In other words, there's no resurrection without the crucifixion. In offering God the personal sorrows and sufferings which each of us daily face, we join ourselves to Jesus and share in his sacrifice for the world . . . but we also share in the reward, for he draws us with him out of death into new life on Easter.

Therefore, when we speak about the Gospel message of joy and hope, this is what we mean: the joy of restored life; and our firm hope here and now that even in dying, we will live forever in the Lord.

As we begin the Sacred Triduum - the wonderful and moving sacramental celebrations of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil - may God grant all of us the gift of encountering Jesus Christ as savior . . . in the Eucharist, at the cross and beyond the empty tomb.

Jesus Christ is our deliverer! Jesus Christ is Lord! May his peace fill each one of you and those you love in the coming days, and throughout the Easter season.

Your brother in the Lord,

+Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Philadelphia


# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Office For Child And Youth Protection Plants Pinwheel Garden For National Child Abuse Prevention Month

April 16, 2014

OFFICE FOR CHILD AND YOUTH PROTECTION PLANTS PINWHEEL GARDEN FOR NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH



The Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office for Child and Youth Protection (OCYP) planted approximately 180 pinwheels in front of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center as part of a national effort to commemorate National Child Abuse Prevention month. The pinwheels will remain in place through the end of April. The nationwide Pinwheels for Prevention Campaign was conceived by Prevent Child Abuse America in 2008.

The pinwheel is intended as a symbol of the happy and carefree childhood every child deserves as well as a call to the community-at-large to play a role in protecting and nurturing our youngest citizens. Each pinwheel planted represents about 1,000 children receiving support, protection, and personal safety lessons throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

"National Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to recognize the important role that communities play in protecting children," said Leslie Davila, Director of the Office for Child and Youth Protection. "During April and throughout the year, OCYP encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making the Archdiocese of Philadelphia community a better place for children and families."

OCYP works throughout the year to create and maintain an atmosphere of prevention and protection in the Archdiocese through various educational and training programs in parishes, schools and offices.

Through their efforts over 30,000 employees, clergy members and volunteers have participated in Mandatory Reporter training. Additionally, between 6,000-9,000 individuals participate in Safe Environment Training Programs yearly. Also, all employees, volunteers and clergy must obtain background checks and child abuse clearances. The Archdiocese goes above and beyond what is required by state law to create the safest possible environment for children and young people entrusted in its care. The eradication of child abuse begins with educating everyone working with young people on how to recognize signs of problems early on and empower them to speak up and make a report.

###


Editor's Note: The Archdiocese of Philadelphia provides comprehensive Safe Environment Training for clergy, employees, and volunteers, as well as parents and children. For more information please visit the Office of Child and Youth Protection web site at http://childyouthprotection.org.

Contact
Annie Korp
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: Remembering Two Men, Two Popes, Two Great Saints

April 23, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
REMEMBERING TWO MEN, TWO POPES, TWO GREAT SAINTS




In just a few days - April 27, Divine Mercy Sunday - Pope Francis will canonize two of the greatest religious leaders in many decades: Blessed Pope John XXIII and Blessed Pope John Paul II. It's a good moment to pause and reflect on each.

Elected in October 1958 at the age of 77, Pope John XXIII (born Angelo Roncalli) was very unlike his predecessor, Pius XII. John XXIII came from Italian peasant stock, and in the place of papal formality, he radiated humor and warmth. It was John XXIII who, when once asked by an interviewer how many people worked at the Vatican, quipped "about half." Of course, he could also command, as he did in April 1959 when he forbade Catholics to vote for parties supporting communism. He was also honored as "righteous among the nations" by Yad Vashem - Israel's official memorial for victims of the Holocaust - for his help in saving Jews as a papal nuncio during World War II. And he was nobody's fool, as his own Curia soon learned.

Many people assumed that John XXIII would serve as a caretaker on the road to a younger pope. But less than three months after his election, in January 1959, he called for a new ecumenical council, the first in nearly a century. He lived to open Vatican II in 1962. He did not live to close it, dying in 1963 just two months after releasing his encyclical Pacem in Terris ("Peace on Earth"). But in the brief five years he served as bishop of Rome, John XXIII worked a revolution, returning the papal ministry from medieval princeling to good shepherd; from castle lord to the real meaning of pontifex -- i.e.,"bridge builder."

We can't understand the Second Vatican Council without grasping the spirit of the pope who called it. John XXIII was a man of unusual pastoral skill. He was alert to the concerns of others. He had a strong sense of social justice. He saw the evil of the arms race. He respected the achievements of the modern world. As a former Vatican diplomat, he was also a globalist. He understood the suffering of people in the developing countries; the priority of the poor; and the mission of the Catholic faith to all persons, in all cultures, in all ages.

And yet he sifted all these concerns through a heart shaped by his episcopal motto: "obedience and peace." John XXIII never saw the Church as a problem that needed fixing or a corporation at civil war with its soul. The Catholic Church was one reality, an intimately personal unity summed up in his great encyclical Mater et Magistra, issued a year before the council: "Mother and Teacher of all nations -- such is the Catholic Church in the mind of her Founder, Jesus Christ; to hold the world in an embrace of love, that men, in every age, should find in her their own completeness in a higher order of living, and their ultimate salvation. She is 'the pillar and ground of the truth.'"

Charles de Foucald once wrote that obedience is the yardstick of love. For Pope John XXIII, any love of the Church that claimed to express itself as disobedience to her teaching would have been impossible to imagine.

And what of Pope John Paul II (born Karol Wojtyla) - already known to millions as "the Great"?

Pope John Paul died nine years ago in Easter Week, during the season at the heart of our faith. He saw in a uniquely powerful way that the secret to Christian love is the experience of divine mercy received through the cross. Mercy is love that goes beyond fairness. Fairness alone can't save anyone. If God's justice were like human justice, we'd all be condemned, because we're all sinners. We're caught in a web of sins against one another, and we can never make that right by demanding what we claim is "fair," because someone else can rightly place on us the same judgment we place on others.

Mercy was a guiding principle of John Paul's pontificate. In fact, Divine Mercy Sunday exists on the universal Church calendar because John Paul II placed it there. Mercy is the heart of his second encyclical, Dives in Misericordia ("Rich in Mercy"), which stresses our need to forgive and to seek forgiveness. Real justice, God's justice, flows from mercy. Mercy is an expression of God's fatherhood, his greatness, which has the power of forgiving us freely and is beyond natural understanding. Only when we forgive and show mercy to others can we rely on the same mercy for ourselves.

After his death, some 600,000 people filed past John Paul II's bier on the first day of official mourning. More than 1.4 million saw the body before he was buried. Nearly 3 million persons traveled to Rome for the funeral. Why did he draw such emotion? Obviously, he was deeply loved and respected, and not just by Catholics. But he also embodied certain qualities that all of us instinctively hunger to believe in: that one life can make a difference; that beauty and good are more powerful than evil and death; that there's a purpose to our lives beyond ourselves; and that because we're all created by the same God, what we share in common is more important than what divides us.

Karol Wojtyla survived two murderous ideologies - Nazism and Communism; but he was equally critical of Western greed, selfishness and disregard for the poor and the unborn. He was a quarry worker, actor, poet, athlete, playwright, priest, and philosopher. He did all these things well. He proved by his life the words of St. Irenaeus: that "the glory of God is man fully alive."

In an age of determinism -- filled with one soulless explanation of the human person after another; economic, historical, scientific -- there was no trace of fatalism in the man. For Karol Wojtyla, nothing was predetermined except God's sovereignty and final victory. The rest is up to us. We have the freedom to help God shape the world. And that freedom both reflects and reinforces the dignity of the human person.

Be not afraid. Those words of John Paul II ring as true today in his silence as they did from his lips on the night of his election. Karol Wojtyla embodied hope in an age with so little of it, and because of him, the world is different. And so are we.

May God grant us the ability to learn from the witness of these two great saints - Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II - and carry their discipleship forward with the example of our own lives.

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Three Archdiocesan High School Students Awarded Prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarships

April 30, 2014

THREE ARCHDIOCESAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS GATES MILLENNIUM SCHOLARSHIPS


Ana DeJesus, John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School;
Alex Tieu, Roman Catholic High School for Boys; Imani Richburg, West Catholic Preparatory High School
All named 2014 Gates Scholars


The Office of Catholic Education and Faith in the Future are proud to announce that three Archdiocese of Philadelphia high school seniors have been awarded prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarships for 2014.
The three recipients are: Ana DeJesus from John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School, Alex Tieu from Roman Catholic High School for Boys and Imani Richburg from West Catholic Preparatory High School.

The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program selects 1,000 talented students each year to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship to use at any college or university of their choice through undergraduate and graduate school. Gates Millennium Scholars are also given personal and professional development through leadership programs along with academic support throughout their college careers. This year, over 52,000 applications from across the country were received.

"We are so proud of Ana, Alex and Imani for earning Gates Millennium Scholarships. Being awarded this highly competitive scholarship is a testament to the students' hard work, dedication and the support of their families and teachers. We have some of the best and brightest students in the region in our schools and we are always thrilled to see them recognized on a national level. Ana, Alex and Imani are shining examples of what it means to be a product of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia," said Dr. Carol Cary, Superintendent of Secondary Schools.

Ana has a 4.0 GPA and is a Neumann Scholar. She attended Saint Mary Interparochial School prior to attending Hallahan High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta, Mathematics Honor Society. She is an active member of her school community, serving as both Captain of the Indoor Track Team and President of the Model United Nations Club. Ana will attend Princeton University in the fall.

Alex is an honors student with a 4.0 GPA and member of the National Honor Society who attended Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic Elementary School in Chinatown before entering Roman Catholic High School. He is also a Josephine C. Connelly Achievement Award winner. Alex is actively involved in his school community including: Student Council Executive Board, Student Ambassador, Asian Culture Club and the school newspaper. He also volunteers with the Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia. In college, Alex plans to major in Engineering and will attend Drexel University or New York University in the fall.

Imani is an honors student at West Catholic Preparatory High School. She attended Saint Francis de Sales Parish Elementary School. Her activities at West Catholic include: Student Ambassador, Student Council member, cheerleading and Community Service Corps. Imani's brother, a 2013 graduate of West Catholic Preparatory High School, is a Drexel University Liberty Scholar. Imani will attend Pepperdine University in California in the fall and will major in Marketing.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has a proud history of successful students named as Gates Millennium Scholars. In 2013, Archbishop Ryan High School and West Catholic Preparatory High School in Philadelphia each had a student receive a Gates Millennium Scholarship. In addition, since the scholarship's inception in 1999, West Catholic Preparatory High School has had nine Gates Scholars, more than any other high school in the state of Pennsylvania.

# # #

Editor's Note: For a photo of each of the scholars, please contact the Office for Communications at [email protected].

For information about Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit www.catholicschools-phl.org. For information about Faith in the Future, please visit www.faithinthefuture.com.


Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Catholic Charities Appeal Partners With The Philadelphia Phillies For Second Annual Catholic Charities Night At Citizens Bank Park

May 1, 2014

CATHOLIC CHARITIES APPEAL PARTNERS WITH
THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES FOR SECOND ANNUAL
CATHOLIC CHARITIES NIGHT AT CITIZENS BANK PARK



After a successful turnout last season, the Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA) will partner once again with the Philadelphia Phillies for "Catholic Charities Night". A portion of the proceeds from tickets purchased through a dedicated link will go directly to the appeal.

Orders must be placed by May 24th. To purchase tickets to this game and support the Catholic Charities Appeal please visit www.phillies.com/catholiccharitiesnight.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014
7:05 p.m.
Citizens Bank Park
1 Citizens Bank Way
Philadelphia, PA19148


If 500 tickets are sold, members of the Archdiocesan community will have the opportunity to represent the Church by throwing out the first pitch and students from Saint Lucy Day School will perform the National Anthem. Seating will be located in the Outfield (101-107) at $38 per ticket, Pavilion (201-205) at $30 per ticket and Pavilion Deck (301-305) at $20 per ticket.

# # #


Editor's Note: Every year, the Philadelphia Catholic Charities Appeal feeds, clothes, shelters, and educates more than 200,000 people across our region, regardless of their faith. Care is provided for the homeless, the elderly, disadvantaged youth and the developmentally delayed through more than 80 highly effective social service programs that build up the dignity of those served. To learn more about the Catholic Charities Appeal, visit http://catholiccharitiesappeal.org/.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: The Cornerstone Of A Liveable World

May 2, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
THE CORNERSTONE OF A LIVEABLE WORLD




In his great encyclical, Populorum Progressio, Pope Paul VI described the "natural family" - the permanent union of one man and one woman -- as the key to real human development and the basis of all human community. Every neighborhood, city and nation begins with the family. It's the seed from which all larger communities grow.

One of the Church's arguments for the natural family is that we need the family in order to create the kind of world everyone wants to live in. We all want a world where relations between people are more than commercial or contractual; a world of solidarity and charity. We want a world of people who freely come together, and live together, in mutual support around shared goals and beliefs. In other words, we want a world of real communities. And therefore, whether or not we know it, we want a world of strong, independent, natural families.

Lived well, the family is the most ennobling force in history. In his apostolic exhortation Familiaris Consortio, St. John Paul II noted that in the family "citizens come to birth, and it is within the family that they find the first school of the social virtues which are the animating principle of the existence and development of society itself." The dignity of the human person is what all Catholic social teaching seeks to advance. We learn this first and most fruitfully in the "school of love" we know as the family.

So the Church defends the family not just for her own sake, but for the good of the world.

This has implications. Families create the future. But they don't do it with magic. They do it by being open to new life. They do it by having children. Children are the key to a culture's survival - not just in terms of hope, energy, creativity and imagination, but also economically in terms of paying for the elderly. Last fall China announced changes in its famous one child per family policy. And the reason for the changes - sadly but tellingly -- had nothing to do with human rights or compassion. China's population is aging rapidly. And too few young people are entering the work force to sustain the growing number of old people. It's that simple.

A population replaces itself with a fertility rate of about 2.1 children per woman. The average fertility rate for the European Union is now about 1.6. The U.S. fertility rate is about 1.9, but that's misleadingly high and masked by immigration. China's fertility rate is about 1.55.

The point is this. Societies that discourage children and undermine the integrity of the family actively choose to have no future. They may not intend it, but that's the logic of their choices. The world will continue. Life will go on. But it won't include cultures that are already dead in their spirit. If our nation's idea of human development involves the export of abortion, contraception and a confused version of marriage and the family - and too often, unhappily, it does -- then the developing world is right and sensible to reject us.

What can we do about it? Healing families and healing our culture are tasks well beyond the capacity of any of us as individuals. But we are not at all powerless. We can live our Christian faith with courage and conviction as a counter-witness to the times. We can choose life over sterility in our own families. We can touch other lives with our willingness to trust in God and to love the people around us.

And we can at least speak and write the truth. Because the truth, as Jesus himself once said, does make people free. And real freedom, alive in the hearts of real disciples, has the power to renew the world. It already happened once. It can happen again, beginning now in our own families. But that depends on us.

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Catholic School Students For Catholic Charities To Host Collection Celebration

May 5, 2014

CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR CATHOLIC CHARITIES
TO HOST COLLECTION CELEBRATION


Catholic School Students for Catholic Charities will host a collection celebration with Bishop Michael J. Fitzgerald, who oversees Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. More than 100 students from schools throughout the Archdiocese will celebrate their hard work raising funds to benefit the schools of special education in the Archdiocese.

Monday, May 12, 2014
11:00 a.m.
Archbishop Carroll High School
211 Matson Ford Road
Radnor, PA 19087


Catholic School Students for Catholic Charities connects and educates students with the works of the Archdiocese, emphasizing the relationship between charity and the Catholic faith. The money raised by Catholic School Students for Catholic Charities will support the schools of Special Education in the Archdiocese: Archbishop Ryan Academy for the Deaf, Saint Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairments, Saint Katherine Day School and Our Lady of Confidence Day School.

Students came up with creative ways to get donations such as dress down days, a kickball tournament, arts and crafts sales and an Easter basket raffle. The one elementary school and the one high school from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia that raised the most money will be recognized at this annual event.

The 2014 Catholic Charities Appeal, officially launched in January, is the single largest annual fundraising initiative in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Funds from the Appeal assist many programs administered by the Archdiocese, including housing and meals for the homeless, senior and family service centers, afterschool programs, community food cupboards and residential and community-based academic programs for dependent and delinquent youth, developmentally disabled and special needs children.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information about The Catholic Charities Appeal please contact 215-587-5650 or visit www.catholiccharitiesappeal.org.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

World Meeting Of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Announces Official Theme For September 2015 Event: "love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive" The Theme For This Triennial Global Event Highlights The Family's Intrinsic Value To The Good Of Society

May 13, 2014

World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Announces Official Theme for September 2015 Event:
"Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive"

The theme for this triennial global event highlights the family's intrinsic value to the good of society



Philadelphia, PA (May 13, 2014) - Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. and Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, along with World Meetings of Families-Philadelphia 2015, today announced the official theme for the Eighth World Meeting of Families: "Love is our mission: the family fully alive." Inspired by the words of the early Church father, St. Irenaeus, "the glory of God is man fully alive," the conference theme reflects the central role of the family in teaching people how to receive and give love.

Joined by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Honorary Co-Chairs for the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015, the theme was unveiled to an audience of business and civic leaders at a press conference held at the Independence Visitors Center, overlooking Independence Hall - one of the world's great symbols of religious freedom.

"His Holiness, Pope Francis embodies the message of mercy, joy and love that lies at the heart of the Gospel," said Archbishop Chaput. "His compassion for the genuine needs of people around the world and his deep care for the institution of the family have inspired our theme. It not only reminds each of us that love should be our life's 'mission' but that also it is the engine of life. Our goal for the 2015 World Meeting of Families is to create a moment of hope and celebration for all of the world's families - a moment in which we hope Pope Francis will join."

The role of the family has surfaced often within Pope Francis' papacy. The theme will serve to drive catechetical content and programming for the World Meeting of Families, which will take place in Philadelphia from September 22-27, 2015. Nearly 100 speakers are expected to be part of this international conference, which typically draws thousands of attendees from more than 150 nations.

Archbishop Chaput further commented, "The Holy Father has stressed that our task in planning this event is to show the world God's shining plan for families. 'Love is our mission: the family fully alive' is a theme that resonates not just with Catholics, but all people of good will. It underlines the beauty and truth of family life. The love that we cite in our theme is a love that we must ensure fills every home and all family members with a unique and invigorating light and warmth."

Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.

For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September 2015, please visit www.archphila.org or www.WorldMeeting2015.org.


###


Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Remarks Of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.f.m. Cap. At News Conference Announcing The Theme For The World Meeting Of Families-philadelphia 2015

May 13, 2014

Remarks of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. at News Conference Announcing
the Theme for the World Meeting of Families-Philadelphia 2015



Good morning, and welcome to our special guests including Governor Corbett and Mayor Nutter.

Most of all I am honored and pleased to welcome to Philadelphia his excellency, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, Monsignor Carlos Simone Vasquez of the Pontifical Council for the Family, and Father Andrea Ciucci of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

Our visitors from Rome arrived last night with much business ahead of them in the United States, but we are very happy that a site visit of Philadelphia, in advance of the World Meeting of Families in September 2015 is a first and important part of their American travels.

I also want to welcome Archbishop Stefan Soroka to today's event. The Archbishop is the Metropolitan Archbishop for all Ukrainian Catholics in the United States and a very good personal friend. All of us join him in praying for the situation in Ukraine today. We ask the good Lord to give those good people peace. So, Archbishop, we're happy to have you join us today.

I also want to acknowledge and welcome home someone who is integral to our planning for this global event, Father Bill Donovan. Father Bill, if you will stand up. Father Bill is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and is our liaison to the Pontifical Council for the Family in Rome. He's done a great job in that role and we're happy to see him back home for a visit to his seminary family and his family in Delaware County. So, welcome home, Father.

And we're grateful that all of you are able to be with us today.

When we first realized that Archbishop Paglia's visit to Philadelphia would occur near the time that we planned to share the theme for the 2015 World Meeting of Families, it seemed only appropriate that we ask him to be part of this moment. Each World Meeting of Families has a theme from which all content and programming flows. Key note addresses, breakout sessions, and panels are developed on a wide variety of topics that all connect back to the central theme. In Milan in 2012 the theme of the world meeting was "The Family: Work and Celebration".

As we began to discuss what the theme in Philadelphia would be, we took inspiration from this place, its history and its spirit. As many of you know from our history books, William Penn founded this colony as a holy experiment-an example to the nations. His Charter of Privileges guaranteed religious freedom to all. Pennsylvania welcomed Quakers, Lutherans, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Baptists, Mennonites and dozens of other congregations as well as Catholics and Jews. Colonial Philadelphia was a blueprint for democracy. It was founded upon liberty and tolerance. Surely there were tensions that arose as customs and languages weren't necessarily shared, but as we know Philadelphians, even today, strive to find what unites rather than divides us. We specially chose this place, which overlooks Independence Mall for the announcement of our theme today because it is a beautiful reflection of why Philadelphia will be an extraordinary host to the World Meeting of Families, and hopefully, a place to welcome Pope Francis.

Independence Hall is one of the greatest markers of religious tolerance and freedom in the world. And the spirit of tolerance and freedom that William Penn established here and all that came after is rooted in love. To help us unveil the theme for the 2015 World Meeting of Families, I'm honored to introduce Christopher Bannon, and Isabella Fontanez. Christopher is an eighth grader as St. Francis Xavier Catholic School at 24th and Fairmount and his sister Isabella is a 5th grader there. What better way to share our theme than to have family members representing our wonderful Catholic schools here with us today. We're so glad you're with us, thank you. Please come forward.

Ladies and gentleman, the theme for the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 is, "Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive." These words were inspired by the words of the early Church Father Saint Irenaeus of Lyons who said, "The glory of God is man fully alive." In like manner, the glory of men and women is their capacity to love as God loves and no better means exist to teach the meaning of love than the family. These words were also inspired by his Holiness, Pope Francis, who embodies the message of mercy, joy and love that lies at the heart of the Gospel. His compassion for the genuine needs of people and his deep care for the institution of the family are very much part of this scene as well. Irenaeus reminds each of us that love should be our life's mission and that it's the engine of life.

So we're excited to see how this theme will inspire all that will happen during the week of September 22-27, 2015. Now, I would like to introduce our partner in planning this global event, Archbishop Paglia. As mentioned earlier, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia is President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, which is the organization that helps the Holy Father deal with family issues in the Church and in the world. And he helps to guide the mission and planning for the World Meetings of Families throughout the world. He's visiting us from Rome to tour sites in the city, engage in several planning meetings with our leadership, and also to visit with some of our Catholic school students who share in our enthusiasm for this event and for the probable visit of Pope Francis.

We have already shown him the Liberty Bell, the real one, and Independence Hall. Now we welcome him to share a few words on his visit, on our theme and on the planning for the World Meeting of Families 2015. Please welcome, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia.


###


Editor's Note: Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.

For video of today's event and more information regarding the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September 2015, please visit www.WorldMeeting2015.org.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Students Of The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Welcome Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia To The City Of Brotherly Love And Officially Invite Pope Francis To The World Meeting Of Families - Philadelphia 2015 President Of The Pontifical Council For The Family And Mayor Michael A. Nutter Warmly Received By Students During Their Visit To Roman Catholic High School

May 14, 2014

Students of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Welcome Archbishop Vincenzo
Paglia to the City of Brotherly Love and Officially Invite Pope Francis to
The World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015

President of the Pontifical Council for the Family and Mayor Michael A. Nutter warmly received by students
during their visit to Roman Catholic High School


Students of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia today welcomed Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, to Philadelphia and officially invited Pope Francis to attend the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015. Archbishop Paglia visited Roman Catholic High School during his last day in Philadelphia and was greeted by the students of both Roman Catholic and John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School on behalf of all Archdiocesan high school students.

Mayor Michael A. Nutter joined Archbishop Paglia's school visit which comes just one day after the announcement of the World Meeting of Families 2015 theme, "Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive," and their visit to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, and The Philadelphia Museum of Art. Archbishop Paglia made the trip to Philadelphia to join planning meetings and scout event locations in advance of the World Meeting of Families, which will be held from September 22-27, 2015.

Students from Roman Catholic High School, the oldest all-boys Catholic high school in the United States, and John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School, the oldest all-girls Diocesan high school in the United States, presented Archbishop Paglia with a special souvenir on behalf of the schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The Archbishop was gifted a framed custom welcome banner to commemorate his visit to Philadelphia which also serves as an invitation to Pope Francis reading, "The students of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia welcome Archbishop Paglia to Philadelphia and invite Pope Francis to join us for the World Meeting of Families in 2015."

"Each one of our students is excited about a papal visit during the World Meeting of Families in September 2015," said Christopher Mominey, Secretary for Catholic Education. "Welcoming Archbishop Paglia to Philadelphia has generated even more excitement for this event - and for the possibility of a visit by Pope Francis to our great city. Philadelphia has an extraordinary legacy of Catholic education and this rich heritage is something we are proud to share with Archbishop Paglia and the Pontifical Council for the Family. We hope that he will return to Rome and share with Pope Francis our great enthusiasm for the World Meeting of Families and our desire to have the pope visit with us."

Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.

For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September 2015, please visit www.archphila.org or www.WorldMeeting2015.org.

###

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive

May 15, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
LOVE IS OUR MISSION: THE FAMILY FULLY ALIVE




Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of making public Pope Francis' theme for next year's World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia: Love is our mission: the family fully alive. The theme was inspired by the words of the early Church Father, St. Irenaeus, who said that "the glory of God is man fully alive." In like manner, the glory of men and women is their capacity to love as God loves. And rarely can that love be lived out more intimately and fruitfully than in the family.

As we begin the "heavy lifting" to prepare for the World Meeting of Families and a possible papal visit, it's a good moment to pause and reflect.

Every moment of every day, a mother and father are teaching and guiding each other and their children, while witnessing about their love to the world beyond their home. The structure of marriage -- if lived faithfully -- naturally points a man and woman outward toward the world, as well as inward toward one another and their children. As Augustine once said: "To be faithful in little things is a big thing." Simply by living their vocation, a husband and wife become the most important living cell of society. Marriage is the foundation and guarantee of the family. And the family is the foundation and guarantee of society.

It's within the intimate community of the family that a son knows he is loved and has value. In observing her parents, a daughter first learns basic values like loyalty, honesty and selfless concern for others, which build up the character of the wider society. Truth is always most persuasive, not when we read about it in a book or hear about it in a classroom, but when we see it incarnated in the actions of our parents.

Marriage and family safeguard our most basic sense of community, because within the family, the child grows up in a web of tightly connected rights and responsibilities to other people. It also protects our individual identity, because it surrounds the child with a mantle of privacy and personal devotion. Most of the laws concerning marriage in our culture were originally developed precisely to protect family members from the selfishness and lack of love so common in wider society. The family is the human person's single most important sanctuary from mistaken models of love, misguided notions of sexual relationships and destructive ideas about self-fulfillment. All these painful things, unchecked, can be a centrifugal force pulling families apart.

Love is a counter-force. Love is the glue both for family and society. This is why love is the fundamental mission of the family. It's why the family must be a sanctuary of love. We most easily understand love when we, ourselves, are the fruit of our parents' tenderness. We most easily believe in fidelity when we see it modeled by our father and mother. Love lived generously is the unanswerable argument for God -- and also for the dignity of the human heart. And marriage is transformed and fulfilled when spouses cooperate with God in the creation of new life. A husband and wife are completed by sharing in God's procreative gift of life to their children, who are new and unique images of God.

In my years as a priest and bishop, I've seen again and again that the human heart is made for truth. People are hungry for the truth; and they'll choose it, if it's presented clearly and with conviction. Therein lies the need for every Christian marriage to be engaged in preaching by example. A husband and wife who model a love for Jesus Christ within their family -- who pray and worship together with their children and read the Scriptures -- become a beacon for other couples. They also more easily acquire an outward-looking zeal for consciously spreading the Gospel to others, teaching the faith and doing good apostolic works.

Our God is the God of life, abundance, deliverance and joy. And we're his missionaries by nature and by mandate. In a developed world increasingly indifferent or hostile to God, no Catholic family can afford to be lukewarm about the Church No culture is so traditionally "Christian" that it's heard enough about Jesus Christ, or safe from the unbelief and disregard for human dignity which mark our age.

Catholic families have a key role in God's healing of a broken world. So let's pray for each other -- beginning right now - that the World Meeting of Families 2015 will become for each of us and all of Philadelphia a new Pentecost; a new birth of the Church in each of our hearts . . . for our own salvation, the salvation of our families and the redemption of the world.


###


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput To Ordain Six Men To The Priesthood The Ordination Mass Will Be Streamed Live At Www.archphila.org.

May 15, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT TO ORDAIN
SIX MEN TO THE PRIESTHOOD

The Ordination Mass will be streamed live at www.archphila.org.



Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will ordain six men to the Priesthood for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. All have completed their program of priestly formation and course of studies at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood (Montgomery County). The Rite of Ordination will take place during Mass following Archbishop Chaput's homily.

Saturday, May 17, 2014
9:45 a.m. (Procession)
10:00 a.m. (Mass)
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103


Those being ordained are: Rev. Mr. Jason E. Buck, Rev. Mr. Sean P. English, Rev. Mr. Robert M. Gross, Rev. Mr. Christopher C. Moriconi, Rev. Mr. Charles J. Ravert, and Rev. Mr. David A. Walters.

Each of the newly ordained priests will be assigned to a parish in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia where they will serve as parochial vicars. A parochial vicar is a priest appointed by the Archbishop to assist the pastor of a parish.

# # #


Editor's Note: Individual news releases on each new priest are available at www.archphila.org. Photos are also available. Please contact Jhoselyn Martinez to request photograph at [email protected].

An audio and video mult-box feed will be provided in the parking lot of the Cathedral. Please enter on 17th Street, between Race and Vine Streets. Crews will need a bnc connector and a recording deck or a live truck. Television cameras will not be permitted in the Cathedral. Reporters and still photographers will be permitted in the Cathedral but are asked to remain clear of the center aisle.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput To Ordain Rev. Mr. Jason E. Buck To The Priesthood The Ordination Mass Will Be Streamed Live At Www.archphila.org.

May 15, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT TO ORDAIN
REV. MR. JASON E. BUCK TO THE PRIESTHOOD
The Ordination Mass will be streamed live at www.archphila.org.



The Rev. Mr. Jason E. Buck, son of Mr. Edward and Mrs. Janice Buck, will be ordained to the Priesthood by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. on

Saturday, May 17, 2014
9:45 a.m. (Procession)
10:00 a.m. (Mass)
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103


Born in West Chester (Chester County), Rev. Mr. Jason E. Buck has been serving as a deacon at Saint Mary Mother of the Redeemer in North Wales (Montgomery County). He attended Saint Agnes Parish Elementary School in West Chester, PA, and Malven Preparatory School in Chester County, PA. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville and his Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology Degrees at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Father Buck will celebrate his First Mass on
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Saints Simon and Jude Parish
3:00 p.m.
8 Cavanaugh Court
West Chester, PA 19382 (Chester County)


The homilist will be Reverend Monsignor Francis W. Beach.


There are six men from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in the Ordination Class of 2014. Each of the newly ordained priests will be assigned to an Archdiocesan parish where they will serve as parochial vicars. A parochial vicar is a priest appointed by the Archbishop to assist the pastor of a parish.

# # #


Editor's Note: If you would like to receive a photograph of Father Buck electronically, please contact the Office for Communications at 215-587-3747 or email [email protected].

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput To Ordain Rev. Mr. Sean P. English To The Priesthood The Ordination Mass Will Be Streamed Live At Www.archphila.org.

May 15, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT TO ORDAIN
REV. MR. SEAN P. ENGLISH TO THE PRIESTHOOD

The Ordination Mass will be streamed live at www.archphila.org.



The Rev. Mr. Sean P. English, son of Mr. Paul and Mrs. Marybeth English, will be ordained to the Priesthood by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. on

Saturday, May 17, 2014
9:45 a.m. (Procession)
10:00 a.m. (Mass)
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103


Born in Media (Delaware County), Rev. Mr. Sean P. English has been serving as a deacon at Saint Pius X Parish in Broomall (Delaware County). He attended Saint Charles Borromeo Parish Elementary School in Drexel Hill, PA, and Monsignor Bonner High School in Delaware County. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Lehigh University and his Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Sacred Scripture Degrees at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Father English will celebrate his First Mass on
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Saint Charles Borromeo Parish
2:00 p.m.
3422 Dennison Avenue
Drexel Hill, PA 19026 (Delaware County)


The homilist will be Reverend Monsignor James D. Beisel. Concelebrants include Reverend Joseph McGlaughlin, Reverend William Kaufman, Reverend Patrick Brady and Reverend Roland Slobogin.

There are six men from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in the Ordination Class of 2014. Each of the newly ordained priests will be assigned to an Archdiocesan parish where they will serve as parochial vicars. A parochial vicar is a priest appointed by the Archbishop to assist the pastor of a parish.

# # #


Editor's Note: If you would like to receive a photograph of Father English electronically, please contact the Office for Communications at 215-587-3747 or email [email protected].

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Speacialist
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput To Ordain Rev. Mr. Robert M. Gross To The Priesthood The Ordination Mass Will Be Streamed Live At Www.archphila.org.

May 15, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT TO ORDAIN
REV. MR. ROBERT M. GROSS TO THE PRIESTHOOD

The Ordination Mass will be streamed live at www.archphila.org.



The Rev. Mr. Robert M. Gross, son of Dr. Joseph and Mrs. Mary Gross, will be ordained to the Priesthood by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. on

Saturday, May 17, 2014
9:45 a.m. (Procession)
10:00 a.m. (Mass)
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103


Born in Huntington, New York, Rev. Mr. Robert M. Gross has been serving as a deacon at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Buckingham (Bucks County). He attended Trinity Regional Elementary School, East Northport, NY, and Saint Anthony High School in New York. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Loyola College and his Master of Divinity Degree at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Father Gross will celebrate his First Mass on
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Saint Agnes Parish
2:30 p.m.
211 West Gay Street
West Chester, PA 19380 (Chester County)


The homilist will be Reverend Monsignor Edward M. Deliman. Concelebrants include Reverend Monsignor Joseph Gentili, Reverend Alonso Concha, Reverend Joseph Bongard, and Reverend Patrick Welsh.

There are six men from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in the Ordination Class of 2014. Each of the newly ordained priests will be assigned to an Archdiocesan parish where they will serve as parochial vicars. A parochial vicar is a priest appointed by the Archbishop to assist the pastor of a parish.

# # #


Editor's Note: If you would like to receive a photograph of Father Gross electronically, please contact the Office for Communications at 215-587-3747 or email [email protected].

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput To Ordain Rev. Mr. Christopher C. Moriconi To The Priesthood The Ordination Mass Will Be Streamed Live At Www.archphila.org.

May 15, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT TO ORDAIN
REV. MR. CHRISTOPHER C. MORICONI TO THE PRIESTHOOD

The Ordination Mass will be streamed live at www.archphila.org.



The Rev. Mr. Christopher C. Moriconi, son of Dr. E. Steven and Dr. Christine D. Moriconi, will be ordained to the Priesthood by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. on

Saturday, May 17, 2014
9:45 a.m. (Procession)
10:00 a.m. (Mass)
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103


Born in Huntingdon Valley (Montgomery County), Rev. Mr. Christopher C. Moriconi has been serving as a deacon at Saint Andrew Parish in Newtown (Bucks County). He attended Ancillae-Assumpta Academy in Wyncote, PA, and Saint Joseph's Preparatory High School in Philadelphia. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Berklee College of Music and his Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology Degrees at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Father Moriconi will celebrate his First Mass on
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Saint Albert the Great Parish
2:30 p.m.
212 Welsh Road
Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 (Montgomery County)


The homilist will be Reverend Dennis J. Carbonaro. Concelebrants include Reverend Monsignor Paul Dougherty, Reverend Monsignor Michael Magee, Reverend Monsignor Michael Picard, and Reverend Joseph Gleason.

There are six men from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in the Ordination Class of 2014. Each of the newly ordained priests will be assigned to an Archdiocesan parish where they will serve as parochial vicars. A parochial vicar is a priest appointed by the Archbishop to assist the pastor of a parish.

# # #


Editor's Note: If you would like to receive a photograph of Father Moriconi electronically, please contact the Office for Communications at 215-587-3747 or email [email protected].

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput To Ordain Rev. Mr. Charles J. Ravert To The Priesthood The Ordination Mass Will Be Streamed Live At Www.archphila.org.

May 15, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT TO ORDAIN
REV. MR. CHARLES J. RAVERT TO THE PRIESTHOOD

The Ordination Mass will be streamed live at www.archphila.org.



The Rev. Mr. Charles J. Ravert, son of Ms. Eleanor M. Todd, will be ordained to the Priesthood by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. on

Saturday, May 17, 2014
9:45 a.m. (Procession)
10:00 a.m. (Mass)
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103


Born in Philadelphia, Rev. Mr. Charles J. Ravert has been serving as a deacon at Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Morrisville (Bucks County). He attended Saint John the Baptist Parish Elementary School and Mercy Vocational High School in Philadelphia, PA. He received his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology Degrees at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Father Ravert will celebrate his First Mass on
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Saint John the Baptist Parish
2:00 p.m.
146 Rector Street
Philadelphia, PA 19127


The homilist will be Reverend Robert B. McDermott. Concelebrants include Reverend Monsignor Charles Vance, Reverend Charles Zlock, Reverend James Lyons, and Reverend Thomas Kletzel.

There are six men from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in the Ordination Class of 2014. Each of the newly ordained priests will be assigned to an Archdiocesan parish where they will serve as parochial vicars. A parochial vicar is a priest appointed by the Archbishop to assist the pastor of a parish.

# # #


Editor's Note: If you would like to receive a photograph of Father Ravert electronically, please contact the Office for Communications at 215-587-3747 or email [email protected].

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput To Ordain Rev. Mr. David A. Waters, Jr. To The Priesthood The Ordination Mass Will Be Streamed Live At Www.archphila.org.

May 15, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT TO ORDAIN
REV. MR. DAVID A. WATERS, JR. TO THE PRIESTHOOD

The Ordination Mass will be streamed live at www.archphila.org.



The Rev. Mr. David A. Waters, Jr. son of Mr. David and Mrs. Evelyn Waters, will be ordained to the Priesthood by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. on

Saturday, May 17, 2014
9:45 a.m. (Procession)
10:00 a.m. (Mass)
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103


Born in Philadelphia, Rev. Mr. David A. Waters, Jr. has been serving as a deacon at Saint Patrick Parish in Norristown (Montgomery County). He attended Shamona Creek Elementary School, Downingtown, PA; Presentation B.V.M. Parish Elementary School in Wynnewood, PA; and Downingtown East High School in Downingtown, PA. He received his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Systematic Theology Degrees at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Father Waters will celebrate his First Mass on
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Sacred Heart Parish
2:00 p.m.
838 Walnut Street
Royersford, PA 19468 (Montgomery County)


The homilist will be Reverend Peter M.J. Stravinskas. Concelebrants include Reverend Monsignor John Savinski, Reverend Robert Pesarchick, Reverend Gus Puleo, and Reverend Dennis Mooney.

There are six men from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in the Ordination Class of 2014. Each of the newly ordained priests will be assigned to an Archdiocesan parish where they will serve as parochial vicars. A parochial vicar is a priest appointed by the Archbishop to assist the pastor of a parish.

# # #


Editor's Note: If you would like to receive a photograph of Father Waters electronically, please contact the Office for Communications at 215-587-3747 or email [email protected].

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Speacialist
215-587-3747

House Blessing For Former Residents Of Don Guanella Village

May 19, 2014

HOUSE BLESSING FOR FORMER RESIDENTS OF
DON GUANELLA VILLAGE



Catholic Social Services (CSS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will hold a Blessing for two of its group homes in Downingtown for former residents of Don Guanella Village.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014
6:30 p.m.
125 Whiteland Avenue
Downingtown, PA


After the first House Blessing the participants including the residents of the two houses, their relatives, direct care staff, management team of Catholic Social Services' Developmental Programs Division, Saint Joseph's Parish, Downingtown, Friend of Don Guanella members, and neighbors will process about two blocks to the location of the second house (502 Grant Ave) for the second House Blessing.

The Developmental Programs Division of Catholic Social Services offers persons with developmental disabilities a continuum of care designed to enhance their quality of life by promoting individuality, empowering personal choice, promoting dignity and respect, and nourishing a family spirit rooted in Christian faith and values.

# # #



Editor's Note: For more information contact Kevin Barr, Director of Development and Parish Outreach - Developmental Programs Division, at 484-475-2499 or email [email protected].


Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Statement Of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.f.m. Cap Regarding Marriage Ruling In Pennsylania

May 20, 2014

STATEMENT OF ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT, O.F.M. CAP REGARDING MARRIAGE RULING IN PENNSYLANIA


Today's federal district court decision striking down Pennsylvania's Defense of Marriage Act is a mistake with long-term, negative consequences. Like many other Pennsylvanians, I hope that an appeal will be made promptly. Laws that defend the traditional definition of marriage were enacted for sound reasons-namely to defend the rights of children and contribute to the well-being of the larger community.

Marriage is more than a private arrangement between two people. It's a public commitment of love and fidelity, and it's ordered not just to companionship but to creating and rearing new life. This is why every child deserves a mother and a father in a loving marriage, and the child is the fruit of that love.

All men and women are formed in the image of God and deserve our respect. But attempts to redefine the nature of marriage, no matter how well intentioned, damage a cornerstone of our human interaction and ultimately work against human dignity itself.

I also fully support and endorse the statement issued earlier today by the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference on this issue. You can read the full text of that document here http://www.pacatholic.org/statement-todays-marriage-ruling/.

###

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: Preserving The 'vital Sources Of Our Humanity'

May 22, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
PRESERVING THE 'VITAL SOURCES OF OUR HUMANITY'


A week after arriving in Philadelphia in 2011, I got an email from a very persuasive student inviting me to speak at his school - the University of Pennsylvania. I said yes, and I'm glad I did. It was my first taste of our city's many excellent universities and colleges, from Villanova and St. Joe's, to Neumann, La Salle, Holy Family, Immaculata and others.

Penn, of course, is secular and Ivy League. And that made my time with the students there uniquely interesting. Attending a Catholic university may or may not result in a deeper life of faith; but along with providing a good education, the campus environment is usually biased toward a respect for Christian belief. At the leading secular institutions - so often seen as the seedbed of America's command class -- no such friendly bias exists. At schools like Harvard, Yale and Penn, Catholic students who value their faith need to choose it, cultivate it and be fed by adult mentors who excel not just as men and women of faith, but also as scholars of exceptional professional skill.

In my remarks to Penn students I noted that:

"The University of Pennsylvania is one our country's premier research universities. That's a great gift to the Philadelphia community. It's also a great privilege for all of you as students, especially those specializing in the sciences. Science and technology have expanded human horizons and improved human life in vital ways over the last century. They've also, at times, done the opposite.

"Part of a good education is learning the skill of appropriate skepticism. And that skepticism, that healthy wariness, should apply even to the methods and claims of science and technology. When a distinguished and thoroughly secular scholar like Neil Postman writes that 'the uncontrolled growth of technology destroys the vital sources of our humanity. It creates a culture without a moral foundation. It undermines certain mental processes and social relations that make human life worth living' - then we need to be concerned". [i]


The task of preserving and enriching "the vital sources of our humanity" goes to the heart of the Christian mission. The Catholic tradition - with its centuries of extraordinary scholarship, art, music, architecture and science - is a song of praise to the God who made us. In the Catholic tradition, we pursue knowledge in order to be free of our own ignorance and pride; we learn about the world in order to experience the beauty of God's creation and the nobility of our own humanity. And that brings me to the point of this week's column.

Penn in 2011 was a remarkable university with remarkable students, faculty and standards of excellence. Penn in 2014 is equally remarkable -- with one important and very positive addition. Earlier this month, the Collegium Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture at Penn concluded its inaugural year. Started by Catholic Penn graduates, faculty and friends last spring, the Collegium Institute is a free-standing scholarly foundation, independent of the university and the archdiocese, committed both to academic excellence and the Catholic intellectual tradition.

Modeled roughly on the Lumen Christi Institute at the University of Chicago but unique to Penn in its structure and mission, the Collegium Institute describes itself in these words:

"The Catholic intellectual tradition is a reservoir of profound thinking about the synthesis of knowledge. By bringing this tradition into conversation with the secular academy and by encouraging a holistic approach to scholarship that transcends disciplinary boundaries, the Collegium Institute affirms the unifying and truly liberal ends of education - namely, freedom in truth."

The Collegium Institute is an example of the Catholic lay vocation lived intelligently, respectfully and confidently - for the benefit of Catholics, but also for the enrichment of the academy and general public. It deserves our support within the Catholic community and beyond.

And we need a lot more of the same.

For more about the Collegium Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture, visit collegiuminstitute.org. Information on the Collegium Institute's latest seminar focusing on Pope Francis' text, "The Joy of the Gospel," can be found at http://collegiuminstitute.org/2014/05/this-friday-joy-of-the-gospel/.

[i] Neil Postman, Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology, Vintage Books/Random House, New York 1993; p. xii

###


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Catholic Social Services Out Of School Time Programs To Celebrate Fantasy Baseball World Series Tournament Combines Baseball And Math

May 28, 2014

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES
OUT OF SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMS TO CELEBRATE
FANTASY BASEBALL WORLD SERIES

Tournament combines baseball and math



Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Out of School Time (OST) Programs will host a championship fantasy baseball tournament featuring over 50 students from six sites. The students at the fantasy baseball tournament will apply statistical analyses to the sport of baseball.

Saturday, May 31, 2014
11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Cardinal Bevilacqua Community Center
2646 Kensington Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19125


Among the participating OST Programs are: Saint Martin de Porres Parish School, Saint Malachy Parish School, Mary Mother of Peace Parish School, Holy Innocents Parish School, Holy Trinity Parish School, and Visitation B.V.M. Parish School.

Catholic Social Services OST Programs are parish and/or community and school based after school programs that provide a continuum of after school, summer youth development and family support activities.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information contact Kate McDowell, Education Coordinator at CSS, at 215-587-3588 or visit www.cssoutofschooltime.org

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Announces Parish Mergers In Philadelphia As Well As Delaware, Montgomery And Bucks Counties Resulting From Pastoral Planning Initiative

June 1, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE ANNOUNCES PARISH MERGERS IN
PHILADELPHIA AS WELL AS DELAWARE, MONTGOMERY AND
BUCKS COUNTIES RESULTING FROM PASTORAL PLANNING INITIATIVE


The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced today that Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. has reviewed recommendations of the Archdiocesan Strategic Planning Committee and made decisions to merge parishes in the City of Philadelphia as well as Delaware, Montgomery and Bucks Counties.

In the Fall of 2010, a pastoral letter was issued to parishioners throughout the Archdiocese. It outlined the necessity of an in-depth examination of all parishes in order to gauge whether they possessed the necessary resources to remain vibrant and sustainable faith communities. This process, known as Parish Area Pastoral Planning, is designed to be as collaborative and consultative as possible. Its goal is to provide pastors, after consulting their parish leadership, with the opportunity to dialogue with members of the Archdiocesan Strategic Planning Committee in providing joint recommendations for parish growth and sustainability within their respective geographic areas.

During the process additional steps are taken to be as inclusive as possible. In the majority of cases, the regional bishop and the dean meet with the pastors as well as their pastoral and finance councils to hear their concerns and receive their recommendations which are brought before the Archdiocesan Strategic Planning Committee, the Council of Priests and the College of Consultors for their observations and recommendations. Input and consultation from all of these groups is provided to the Archbishop.

The mergers being announced today are due to a number of factors including a shift in Catholic population, a high density of parishes in a small area, as well as declines in Mass attendance, Sacramental activity, the availability of priests to staff parishes, and a review of facilities.

In each instance of a merger, parishioners will attend daily and Sunday Mass at the church of the newly formed parish. The church(es) of the former parish(es) will become a worship site(es). Worship sites will be utilized for weddings, funerals and feast days, as well as traditional and ethnic devotions. Sunday Mass may also be celebrated at worship sites at the discretion of the pastor and the newly formed pastoral council and depending upon the availability of clergy.

Additionally, all parish property, assets and debts of any former parish will be assumed by the newly formed parish, which will also be responsible for the care of all sacramental records. The pastors from the merging parishes will form a transitional team made up of lay leaders from each of the merging parishes to assist in moving forward with forming the new parish community. The Archdiocese will provide ongoing guidance and support during the transition process.

When the mergers detailed below become effective there will be 219 parishes in the five-county Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The pastors assigned to all of the newly formed parishes were publicly announced this weekend with the regular priest personnel assignments. A complete list of those assignments can be found at www.CatholicPhilly.com.

______________________________________________________________


*It is important to note that the effective date listed for these mergers is set for Canonical (Church law) purposes. The actual work of the transition to a new parish community is an ongoing one that will take varying lengths of time dependent upon the unique circumstances of each merger and the needs of each parish. *

*The statistics presented below do not represent the whole of parish life. They were only one part of the larger picture when developing recommendations for parish mergers. They do, however, provide a snapshot of a parish's sacramental activity and a gauge to project stability, growth or decline.*




Bucks County Parish Announcements Effective July 1, 2014:


Saint Mark and Saint Ann Parishes (PPA 100)
Saint Mark (Bristol) and Saint Ann (Bristol) Parishes will merge at the location and keep the name of Saint Mark Parish. The two parishes are located .49 miles from each another. The Saint Ann church building will become a worship site of the newly formed parish.

As a result of the merger, the newly formed parish is projected to have over 5,500 registered parishioners and approximately 1,300 regular attendees at Sunday Mass.
Saint Mark Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 101 100
Marriages 23 22
Weekend Mass attendance 969 775

Saint Ann Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 39 30
Marriages 12 6
Weekend Mass attendance 602 422



Saint Charles Borromeo and Our Lady of Fatima Parishes (PPA 100)
Saint Charles Borromeo (Bensalem) and Our Lady of Fatima (Bensalem) Parishes will merge at the location and keep the name of Saint Charles Borromeo Parish. The two parishes are located 2.78 miles from each other. The Our Lady of Fatima church building will become a worship site of the newly formed parish.

As a result of the merger, the newly formed parish is projected to have over 6,800 registered parishioners and approximately 1,900 regular attendees at Sunday Mass.
Saint Charles Borromeo Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 40 27
Marriages 20 7
Weekend Mass attendance 1279 1022

Our Lady of Fatima Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 60 53
Marriages 4 14
Weekend Mass attendance 962 821



Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parishes (PPA 100)
Saint Thomas Aquinas (Croydon) and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (Bensalem) Parishes will merge at the location and keep the name of Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish. The two parishes are located 1.2 miles from each other. The Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton church building will become a worship site of the newly formed parish.

As a result of the merger, the newly formed parish is projected to have over 5,700 registered parishioners and approximately 1,280 regular attendees at Sunday Mass.
Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 42 33
Marriages 8 10
Weekend Mass attendance 602 555

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 51 37
Marriages 19 16
Weekend Mass attendance 684 584



Saint Frances Cabrini and Saint Joseph the Worker Parishes (PPA 110)
Saint Frances Cabrini (Fairless Hills) and Saint Joseph the Worker (Fallsington) Parishes will merge at the location and keep the name of Saint Frances Cabrini Parish. The two parishes are located 3 miles from each other. The Saint Joseph the Worker church building will become a worship site of the newly formed parish.

As a result of the merger, the newly formed parish is projected to have over 7,700 registered parishioners and approximately 1,360 regular attendees at Sunday Mass.
Saint Frances Cabrini Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 43 30
Marriages 20 8
Weekend Mass attendance 1071 844

Saint Joseph the Worker Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 35 21
Marriages 8 3
Weekend Mass attendance 823 646



Queen of the Universe and Immaculate Conception Parishes (PPA 110)
Queen of the Universe (Levittown) and Immaculate Conception (Levittown) Parishes will merge at the location and keep the name of Queen of the Universe Parish. The two parishes are located 3 miles from each other. The Immaculate Conception church building will become a worship site of the newly formed parish.

As a result of the merger, the newly formed parish is projected to have over 10,000 registered parishioners and approximately 2,200 regular attendees at Sunday Mass.
Queen of the Universe Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 84 70
Marriages 20 14
Weekend Mass attendance 1438 1257

Immaculate Conception Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 46 26
Marriages 8 4
Weekend Mass attendance 1204 938



Free Standing Parishes in Bucks County:


As a result of the Parish Area Pastoral Planning initiative, the following will remain free standing parishes in Bucks County at this time:

Our Lady of Grace (Penndel), Saint Michael the Archangel (Levittown) and Saint Ephrem (Bensalem).



Delaware County Parish Announcements Effective July 1, 2014:


Eastern Delaware County:

Saint George and Holy Spirit Parishes (PPA 310)
Saint George (Glenolden) and Holy Spirit (Sharon Hill) Parishes will merge at the location and keep the name of Saint George Parish. The two parishes are located 1.3 miles from each other. The Holy Spirit church building will become a worship site of the newly formed parish.

As a result of the merger, the newly formed parish is projected to have over 4,000 registered parishioners and approximately 625 regular attendees at Sunday Mass.
Saint George Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 24 31
Marriages 15 5
Weekend Mass attendance 532 426

Holy Spirit Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 12 3
Marriages 8 6
Weekend Mass attendance 244 185



Free Standing Parishes in Eastern Delaware County:


As a result of the Parish Area Pastoral Planning initiative, the following will remain free standing parishes in Eastern Delware County at this time:

Sacred Heart (Clifton Heights), Saint Eugene (Primos) and Saint Joseph (Collingdale).


Western Delaware County:

Saint Gabriel and Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque Parishes (PPA 300)
Saint Gabriel (Norwood) and Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (Essington) Parishes will merge at the location and keep the name of Saint Gabriel Parish. The two parishes are located 2 miles from each other. The Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque church building will become a worship site of the newly formed parish.

As a result of the merger, the newly formed parish is projected to have over 7,500 registered parishioners and approximately 1,000 regular attendees at Sunday Mass.
Saint Gabriel Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 105 72
Marriages 38 27
Weekend Mass attendance 1124 787

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 12 23
Marriages 5 3
Weekend Mass attendance 375 294



Our Lady of Peace and Notre Dame de Lourdes Parishes (PPA 300)
Our Lady of Peace (Milmont Park) and Notre Dame de Lourdes (Swarthmore) Parishes will merge at the location and keep the name of Our Lady of Peace Parish. The two parishes are located 1.4 miles from each other. The Notre Dame de Lourdes church building will become a worship site of the newly formed parish.

As a result of the merger, the newly formed parish is projected to have over 7,300 registered parishioners and approximately 1,400 regular attendees at Sunday Mass.
Our Lady of Peace Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 21 12
Marriages 10 12
Weekend Mass attendance 726 556

Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 48 46
Marriages 10 13
Weekend Mass attendance 994 753




Free Standing Parishes in Western Delaware County:


As a result of the Parish Area Pastoral Planning initiative, the following will remain free standing parishes in Western Delaware County at this time:

Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Morton), Our Lady of Fatima (Secane), Saint Rose of Lima (Eddystone) and Saint Madeline (Ridley Park).



Montgomery County Parish Announcements Effective July 1, 2014:


Sacred Heart, Saint Augustine and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parishes (PPA 460)
Sacred Heart (Swedesburg), Saint Augustine (Bridgeport) and Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Bridgeport) Parishes will merge at the location and keep the name of Sacred Heart Parish. Sacred Heart is located less than a half mile from the other two churches. The Saint Augustine and Our Lady of Mount Carmel church buildings will become worship sites of the newly formed parish. When this merger becomes effective, Sacred Heart Parish will change from a personal parish to a territorial parish.

As a result of the merger, the newly formed parish is projected to have over 4,500 registered parishioners and approximately 1,000 regular attendees at Sunday Mass.
Sacred Heart Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 27 14
Marriages 4 4
Weekend Mass attendance 391 300

Saint Augustine Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 17 16
Marriages 1 5
Weekend Mass attendance 288 263

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 18 18
Marriages 9 4
Weekend Mass attendance 449 466



Saint Matthew, Saint Gertrude, Saint Mary and Saints Cosmas and Damian Parishes (PPA 460)
Saint Matthew (Conshohocken), Saint Gertrude (West Conshohocken), Saint Mary (Conshohocken) and Saints Cosmas and Damian (Conshohocken) Parishes will merge at the location and keep the name of Saint Matthew Parish. Saint Matthew is located less than 1 mile from the other three churches. The Saint Gertrude, Saint Mary, and Saints Cosmas and Damian church buildings will become worship sites of the newly formed parish.

As a result of the merger, the newly formed parish is projected to have over 8,000 registered parishioners and approximately 2,000 regular attendees at Sunday Mass.
Saint Matthew Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 79 102
Marriages 31 35
Weekend Mass attendance 1109 1086

Saint Gertrude Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 7 1
Marriages 3 0
Weekend Mass attendance 148 120

Saint Mary Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 8 4
Marriages 7 8
Weekend Mass attendance 330 271

Saints Cosmas and Damian Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 32 33
Marriages 14 10
Weekend Mass attendance 527 482



Queen of Peace and Saint John of the Cross Parishes (PPA 480)
Queen of Peace (Ardsley) and Saint John of the Cross (Roslyn) Parishes will merge at the location and keep the name of Queen of Peace Parish. The two parishes are located 1.6 miles from each other. For the time being, the Saint John of the Cross church building will become a worship site of the newly formed parish.

As a result of the merger, the newly formed parish is projected to have over 8,600 registered parishioners and approximately 1,600 regular attendees at Sunday Mass.
Queen of Peace Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 47 45
Marriages 15 9
Weekend Mass attendance 1315 890

Saint John of the Cross Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 29 26
Marriages 14 4
Weekend Mass attendance 717 685



Free Standing Parishes in Montgomery County:


As a result of the Parish Area Pastoral Planning initiative, the following will remain free standing parishes in Montgomery County at this time:

Saint David (Willow Grove), Saint Luke the Evangelist (Glenside) and Mother of Divine Providence (King of Prussia).



City of Philadelphia Parish Announcements Effective July 1, 2014


Saint Monica and Saint Edmond Parishes (PPA 630)
Saint Monica (South Philadelphia) and Saint Edmond (South Philadelphia) Parishes will merge at the location and keep the name of Saint Monica Parish. The two parishes are located less than one mile from each other. The Saint Edmond church building will become a worship site of the newly formed parish.

As a result of the merger, the newly formed parish is projected to have over 9,100 registered parishioners and approximately 2,000 regular attendees at Sunday Mass.
Saint Monica Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 114 86
Marriages 61 47
Weekend Mass attendance 2304 2027

Saint Edmond Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 7 4
Marriages 1 1
Weekend Mass attendance 367 259



Saint Richard and Holy Spirit Parishes (PPA 630)
Saint Richard (South Philadelphia) and Holy Spirit (South Philadelphia) Parishes will merge at the location and keep the name of Saint Richard Parish. The two parishes are located one mile from each other. The Holy Spirit church building will become a worship site of the newly formed parish.

As a result of the merger, the newly formed parish is projected to have over 6,375 registered parishioners and approximately 1,400 regular attendees at Sunday Mass.
Saint Richard Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 45 45
Marriages 10 12
Weekend Mass attendance 813 656

Holy Spirit Parish: 2008 2012
Baptisms 30 20
Marriages 7 6
Weekend Mass attendance 525 681



Free Standing Parishes in the City of Philadelphia:


As a result of the Parish Area Pastoral Planning initiative, the following will remain free standing parishes in the City of Philadelphia at this time:

Saint Charles Borromeo (South Philadelphia), Saint Gabriel (South Philadelphia), Saint Rita of Cascia (South Philadelphia) and Saint Thomas Aquinas (South Philadelphia).


Previous Announcements:


In 2012 and 2013, the Archdiocese announced parish mergers resulting from the Parish Area Pastoral Planning Initiative in the City of Philadelphia as well as the suburban counties. Additional information regarding those mergers can be found at http://archphila.org/conversion/conversion_index.php.

Future Announcements:


It is expected that additional parishes will engage in the Parish Area Pastoral Planning Initiative beginning in the Fall of 2014 with decisions expected in the Spring of 2015. Announcements will be made this September in those parishes that will take part in that round of study as well as to the general public.



###



Editor's Note: The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is comprised of 44 Pastoral Planning Areas (PPAs). For more information on the Parish Area Pastoral Planning, please visit http://archphila.org/conversion/conversion_index.php.

The pastors assigned to all of the newly formed parishes resulting from this round of mergers were announced this week with the regular priest personnel assignments. A complete list of those assignments can be found at www.CatholicPhilly.com.


Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Local Community Leader To Receive Catholic Campaign For Human Development's Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award Dr. Bethany Welch Has Been Awarded Cchd's Annual Award For Emerging Leaders.

May 29, 2014

LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADER TO RECEIVE
CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT'S
CARDINAL BERNARDIN NEW LEADERSHIP AWARD

Dr. Bethany Welch has been awarded CCHD's annual award for emerging leaders.



Bethany Welch, Ph.D., has been named the winner of the 2014 Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award. She is being recognized for her commitment to serving the immigrant and the stranger as founding director of the Aquinas Center at Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish in South Philadelphia. The award is sponsored by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the national anti-poverty program of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Dr. Welch is a convert to Catholicism who worked with the diverse immigrant community of South Philadelphia to repurpose a former convent that is now a space for advocacy, social services, urban immersion experiences and revitalization projects.

Dr. Bethany Welch will be honored with the Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award at a reception June 11, 2014 during the Spring General Assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in New Orleans.

The Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award honors a Catholic between the age of 18 and 40 who demonstrates leadership in fighting poverty and injustice in the United States through community-based solutions.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information on the Aquinas Center visit http://staquinas.com/aquinascenter/.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Local Community Leader To Receive Catholic Campaign For Human Development's Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award Dr. Bethany Welch Has Been Awarded Cchd's Annual Award For Emerging Leaders.

May 29, 2014

OFFICE OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION AND ASSOCIATION OF CATHOLIC TEACHERS
REACH LABOR AGREEMENT



The Secondary School System of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Association of Catholic Teachers are happy to announce that a new contract agreement has been ratified by the teachers at a General Membership Meeting held on May 28, 2014.  The new one-year Agreement takes effect on September 1, 2014 and affects the 650 high school lay teachers in the 17 schools operated by the Archdiocese.

In the fall of 2013, the School System and the Association agreed to focus on key issues in an effort to streamline negotiations and settle the contract prior to the close of the school year.  The negotiating teams met often throughout the spring in a spirit of collaboration to achieve a contract settlement.

The Agreement provides for salary increases of $1200 for 2014-2015 and addresses rising medical costs in a manner that is fair to all parties.  There will be moderate increases in employee contributions to the medical plan. Both parties agreed to partner in exploring ways to better manage health care costs moving forward.

Both the Association and the School System are pleased that these successful negotiations will provide assurances to the students and their parents that our schools will be poised for another year of success in September.

 

# # #

Editor’s Note: For more information on Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia please visit http://www.catholicschools-phl.org/. For additional information on the Association of Catholic Teachers, please visit www.act1776.com.


Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: Catholic Witness And The March For Marriage

May 30, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
CATHOLIC WITNESS AND THE MARCH FOR MARRIAGE


The Gospel asks Christians to love and respect persons, no matter how deeply we might disagree with them. But we have no such duty to accept bad law or the confusion it creates. Law not only regulates, it also teaches, which is why our national debates over abortion and marriage have been argued so vigorously in the courts.

The misfortune of our times is that our courts have systematically overturned and sought to reshape the will of the people on the nature of marriage. And this has implications.

Helen Alvare, professor of law at George Mason University, noted recently that the U.S. Supreme Court has already "strongly suggested [in its 2013 Windsor decision] that any view of marriage which excludes the possibility of same-sex unions is irrational and even hateful" while articulating "a meaning of marriage strikingly at odds with both centuries of American law" and Christian belief about the dignity of human sexuality and the nature of the family.

In the days after a federal district court struck down Pennsylvania's marriage law earlier this month, a variety of law professors from around the country -- legal scholars with decades of courtroom practice and teaching experience -- wrote to me. They described the court's ruling and the state's refusal to appeal the decision as "baffling," "muddleheaded" and even "unctuous."

One said that "I've been teaching constitutional law for more than 30 years, so I thought I'd heard it all; but evidently not." Another simply quoted Justice Antonin Scalia's famous critique of a hapless lawyer's presentation: "Either he's stupid, or he thinks we are." Yet another wrote that "we're watching a catastrophe unfold -- one that will devastate the church in her ability to transmit the truth of her teaching about marriage to our own young people. As to what its consequences will be for society more broadly, you need no words from me."

These are hard words from people accustomed to using careful language. Their frustration underscores how serious the challenges to marriage and family life have become. But dwelling on the confusion of the moment achieves very little. Our task as believers is to live and to witness what we know to be true -- and to do it without rancor or disrespect for those who believe differently.

That means, first, that married Catholics need to love their spouses and raise their children with a deepened sense of Christian discipleship. It also means that the church needs to do a better job of providing a community of support for couples and families; support that makes her vision of marriage and family appealing. Every life has its sufferings, but God made us ultimately for joy, and unless Catholic life satisfies the human hunger for happiness -- and articulates that joy clearly to the world -- the Gospel will not be heard.

Witnessing what we know to be true also means expressing our convictions publicly and confidently. The Christian faith is personal but never private. It always has a community dimension. It always has public obligations. And that leads to the key point of this week's column.

The annual March for Marriage will take place on Thursday, June 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., on the U.S. Capitol grounds, First Street NW and Constitution Ave., in Washington, D.C. This is a crucial opportunity for Philadelphia Catholics to show their support for the family and for marriage as a permanent union of one man and one woman. Buses will leave from St. Raymond Parish in Philadelphia; St. Andrew Parish in Newtown (Bucks County); SS. Simon and Jude Parish, West Chester (Chester County); St. Pius X Parish, Broomall (Delaware County) and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Limerick (Montgomery County).

Cultures change when people change. And people change through the word and witness of other people. This is a moment to show our support for the nature of the family and the integrity of marriage as foundation stones of our life as a nation. Please make every effort this year to join the March for Marriage.

###


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

To reserve a bus seat, please contact the Office for Life and Family website at http://phillycatholiclife.org/marchformarriage/. For more information about the March for Marriage, please visit www.marriagemarch.org/about.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Saint John The Baptist School To Become A Regina Academy For The 2014-2015 Academic Year Saint John The Baptist Parish School In Ottsville (bucks County) To Become A Regina Academy School On July 1, 2014

June 2, 2014

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL TO BECOME A REGINA
ACADEMY FOR THE 2014-2015 ACADEMIC YEAR

Saint John the Baptist Parish School in Ottsville (Bucks County) to become
a Regina Academy School on July 1, 2014



Today, representatives from Saint John the Baptist Parish School in Ottsville (Bucks County), the Regina Academies and the Office of Catholic Education gathered for an announcement regarding a partnership between the school and the Regina Academies. In recent years, the school had struggled with sustainability issues due to low enrollment. This arrangement will serve to preserve the presence of Catholic education in Ottsville at the elementary level.

Effective July 1, 2014, Saint John the Baptist will transition from a parish school to a private Catholic School-The Regina Academy at Saint John the Baptist. As a result, Saint John's will embrace a different style of education and incorporate the model of the Regina Academies currently operating throughout the Delaware Valley as independent Catholic schools.

To this end, Saint John's will establish a curriculum that will expand the horizons of our students beginning with the 2014-2015 academic year. The school will begin to transition to an educational philosophy based on grammar, classical writings, Latin and the catechism.

As with all Regina Academies, positioning the school within the setting of an active parish with the availability of a church for liturgy and prayer is integral to the fulfillment of its mission.

"Our numbers may be small, but our faculty and staff work very hard to provide your children with the quality Catholic education parents expect and deserve," says Mr. Michael Patterson, Principal of Saint John's. "This is an exciting time for the Saint John the Baptist Parish community and especially for our school children. We are so grateful to our dedicated faculty and staff and to the Regina Academies for this wonderful opportunity."

This partnership between the parish and the Regina Academies will not bring an increase in tuition next year. All current tuition rates and discounts will remain in place. Additionally, the scholarship opportunities currently extended to school families through BLOCS and BRAVO will still be available. The school uniform will also remain unchanged.

# # #


Editor's Note: The first Regina Academy, Pre-K through 8th grade, was founded in 2003 in Abington (Montgomery County). The success of Regina Coeli Academy brought forth two sister academies, Regina Angelorum Academy in Ardmore (Delaware County) and Regina Luminis Academy in Downingtown (Chester County).

Saint John the Baptist Parish School was founded in 1784 and is a Catholic School Community committed to leading its students to know, love and serve the Lord. The school develops the spiritual, moral and intellectual foundation of its students to prepare them to be virtuous, productive citizens who are committed to Faith, Leadership and Community.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia And Affiliated Charitable Entities File Suit In Federal Court To Block Enforcement Of Portions Of The Affordable Care Act

June 3, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA AND AFFILIATED CHARITABLE
ENTITIES FILE SUIT IN FEDERAL COURT TO BLOCK
ENFORCEMENT OF PORTIONS OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT



Charitable entities related to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, along with the Archdiocese itself, filed suit late yesterday in Federal court against the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U. S. Department of Labor, and the U. S. Department of the Treasury as well as their respective Secretaries. Grounded on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the First Amendment, the action asks the court to block enforcement of portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that force religious employers to provide contraceptive services that violate Catholic belief.

The charitable entities argue that ACA regulations force them to violate their religious convictions by either directly supplying, or cooperating in the process to supply, services that gravely conflict with Catholic belief. The court filing disputes the Government's power to order Catholic entities to offer or cooperate in such services.

Dozens of similar cases have been filed nationwide. Various courts have already recognized that the Affordable Care Act imposes a burden on sincerely held religious beliefs. Relief was recently granted in the Western District of Pennsylvania to the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Erie.

# # #

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia To Participate In National March For Marriage In Washington, D.c.

June 4, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA TO PARTICIPATE IN
NATIONAL MARCH FOR MARRIAGE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.



Faithful throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will join thousands at our nation's capital in the annual March for Marriage, an event giving witness to the unique dignity of marriage as a lifelong union of one man and one woman.

Thursday, June 19, 2014
10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
U.S. Capitol Grounds
First Street, NW and Constitution Avenue
Washington, D.C., 20006


Last year's inaugural March for Marriage brought thousands of supporters to the National Mall for a rally and march to the Supreme Court. Speakers at this year's March include San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, Chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, and Reverend Ruben Diaz, New York Senator and President of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization

"By its very nature, marriage is ordered not only to companionship and mutual support, but also - and even more fundamentally - to the procreation and education of children. This is why every child deserves a family where the father loves the mother, and the mother loves the father," said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. "Thus it's vital that the Church keep working to defend the integrity of marriage. As Catholics we should avail ourselves of the opportunities, whenever we can, to witness to the truth about God's plan for marriage."

# # #


Editor's Note: Buses will be leaving from the following parishes: Saint Raymond, Philadelphia, Saint Andrew, Newtown (Bucks County), Saints Simon and Jude, West Chester (Chester County), Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Limerick (Montgomery County), and Saint Pius X, Broomall (Delaware County).

To reserve a seat on a bus, please visit the Office for Life and Family website at www.phillycatholiclife.org/marchformarriage. For more information about the March for Marriage, please visit www.marriagemarch.org/about.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: Pentecost 2014 And The Birthday Of The Church

June 4, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
PENTECOST 2014 AND THE BIRTHDAY OF THE CHURCH


This year on Sunday, June 8, we mark the great feast of Pentecost, and it's a good time to examine the language we use in describing God. Jesus was a male, and he called God his Father. That's how Christians think about God, mainly in masculine terms. God is our Father. Jesus is his son, the New Adam; the king, prophet, priest and bridegroom. All these are masculine terms. St. Paul tells us that all of us, both male and female, become sons in the Son, through Baptism. Of course, God isn't literally male. But gender language is part of the way God reveals his identity to us . . . and reveals our own identities to ourselves.

Paul also tells us that Jesus is the bridegroom, and the Church is his bride. So this means that all of us, both male and female, are the spouse of Christ. The Church is not an "it." The Church is a "she." The Church is feminine. That's why Mary is so important to the Catholic understanding of the world. Mary is the first Christian, the perfect model of the Church and the perfect model for each of us as individual disciples. We're all called to be Mary. And that's as hard for some men to accept as it is for some women to call God "he."

Here's the point. What did Mary do? She said "yes" to the Holy Spirit. And in that yes, God filled her with new life. The Early Church called Mary theotokos, which is Greek for "God-bearer." As a creature, she allowed her Creator to act in her and accomplish great things through her. In giving birth to God's son, Mary gave new life to the whole world. We're called to follow her example, each of us in his or her own way. Merely hearing the Gospel isn't enough. Merely talking about our faith isn't enough. We need to do something about it. Each of us, in a personal way, needs to be a kind of theotokos, a God-bearer. The seed of faith needs to bear fruit in a life of Christian action, a life of personal Christian witness, or it's just words -- and talk is cheap.

That's why every Pentecost celebration is so important. Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. Pentecost is our birthday as a believing people. The Church, like Mary, is about new life. The Holy Spirit filled Mary with new life at the Annunciation, and Mary gave birth to Jesus. The Holy Spirit filled the Apostles with new life at Pentecost, and they immediately gave birth to a new era through their preaching and example. God is a God of abundance, not sterility; of confidence, not fear. God relentlessly creates new life through each of us, if we allow him to. We're meant to be fertile. We're meant to bring others to new life in Jesus Christ. The "Acts of the Apostles" should continue today in the witness of our own lives.

In other words, faith should animate everything we do. It should bear fruit every day in beauty and new life. When Jesus told us, "Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations" (Mt 28:19), he not only gave us a missionary mandate to evangelize the world, he also gave us the reason to have confidence in accomplishing it. The last thing he told the Apostles before returning to his Father in heaven was, "I am with you always, to the close of the age" (Mt 28:20). In that one simple verse is the key to the entire life of the Church.

Pentecost is not just the birthday of the Church. It's also the feast day of the Holy Spirit, who set the Apostles on fire with zeal in the Upper Room . . . who opened the minds in the crowd of people that first heard them preach . . . and who's guided and renewed the life of the Church for 2,000 years. The Holy Spirit has never stopped sustaining the mission of the Church. And just as he strengthened and encouraged the first Apostles, so too he will strengthen and encourage each of us -- if we let him.

We begin to understand our vocation as Christians when we acknowledge that God alone is the "Lord and giver of life," and we are his creatures. We become who we really are -- we experience reality most vividly -- when we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us, and to work through us to renew the face of the earth. Each of us is called to share in God's creative power to give life. That's the meaning of the prayer we all learned as children:

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and we will be created, and you will renew the face of the earth.

May God grant us the humility, joy and generosity to be the disciples he invites us to be.

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput To Ordain Seven Men To The Permanent Diaconate

June 5, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT TO ORDAIN SEVEN MEN TO
THE PERMANENT DIACONATE



Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will ordain seven men to the Permanent Diaconate for service in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The Rite of Ordination will take place during Mass following the Gospel.

Saturday, June 7, 2014
9:45 a.m. (Procession)
10:00 a.m. (Mass)
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103


Permanent deacons are members of the clergy of the Catholic Church. They may be single or married. As ministers of God's Word, permanent deacons preach and teach. They baptize, may witness marriages, carry out the funeral rites at the Vigil and the grave, and administer Holy Communion to the sick and dying.

Those being ordained are listed below.

Joseph W. Bernauer, Jr. is a member of Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Northeast Philadelphia, where he resides with his wife Marianne. They have two children, Rachel and Joseph. Mr. Bernauer holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from West Chester University. He is an executive sales representative for Dentsply Tulsa Dental.

E. Michael Cuff is a member of Saint Anthony of Padua Parish in Ambler (Montgomery County) where he resides with his wife Susan and son, Kevin. Mr. Cuff served four years in the United States Air Force and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in General Studies/Communication from Louisiana Tech University. He is a certified career transition coach and a certified life options retirement coach. Mr. Cuff is employed by CCI Consulting in Blue Bell, where he holds the position of Director of Client Services.

William J. Moser is a member of Saint William Parish in Northeast Philadelphia where he resides with his wife Donna. They have a son, Sean. Mr. Moser holds a Master of Arts Degree in Theology from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood. He is a teacher at Father Judge High School in Philadelphia.

John J. Nucero is a member of Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish in North Wales (Montgomery County) where he resides with his wife Christina. They have four children, John, Christopher, Paul and Jacqueline. Mr. Nucero holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Saint Joseph's University. He is the Chief Financial Officer for Fiber-Line, LLC in Hatfield, Pennsylvania.

Francis X. Phillips is a member of Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish in Glen Mills (Delaware County) where he resides with his wife Janice. They have three children, Shawn, David and Joshua. Mr. Phillips holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Saint Joseph's University. He is the Director of Finance at Saint Basil Academy in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.

Thomas E. Shurer is a member of Saint Agnes Parish in West Chester (Chester County) where he resides with his wife Chris. They have four children, Katie, Jake, Rob and Marie. Mr. Shurer holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication Disorders, a Master of Arts Degree in Speech Pathology and a Master of Science Degree in Information Science. He is the Vice President of Information Resources at Devereux, a national behavioral healthcare provider headquartered in Villanova, Pennsylvania.

James Toth is a member of Saint Alphonsus Parish in Maple Glen (Montgomery County) where he resides with his wife Michelle. They have three sons, Travis, Jarrett and Michael. Mr. Toth graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He is a 23-year veteran of the United States Postal Service.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information on the permanent deacons please contact Deacon James Owens at (215) 587-4532.

An audio and video mult-box will be provided in the parking lot of the Cathedral. Please enter the lot on 17th Street, between Race and Vine Streets. Crews will need a bnc connector and a recording deck or a live truck. Television cameras will not be permitted in the Cathedral. Reporters and still photographers will be permitted in the Cathedral but are asked to remain clear of the center aisle.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Announces Resolution In Final Case Of Priests On Administrative Leave Following The 2011 Grand Jury Report Archbishop Chaput Makes Final Decision In Last Remaining Case Of Priests Placed On Administrative Leave Following The February 2011 Grand Jury Report

June 8, 2014

THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA ANNOUNCES
RESOLUTION IN FINAL CASE OF PRIESTS ON ADMINISTRATIVE
LEAVE FOLLOWING THE 2011 GRAND JURY REPORT

Archbishop Chaput makes final decision in last remaining case of priests placed on
administrative leave following the February 2011 Grand Jury Report



The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced today that Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. has made a final decision in the last remaining case of priests placed on administrative leave following the February 2011 Grand Jury Report. While on administrative leave, priests are not permitted to exercise their public ministry, administer any of the Sacraments, or present themselves publicly as priests.

Archbishop Chaput has decided that Monsignor Joseph L. Logrip is suitable for ministry based on unsubstantiated allegations that he sexually abused minors over 20 years ago.

Announcements were made at Saint Stanislaus Parish and Saint Mary Manor, both in Lansdale, when Monsignor Logrip was placed on administrative leave in March of 2011. Follow up announcements were made at those locations this weekend regarding the final decision in this case. Counselors were also made available.

Monsignor Logrip's case followed the same procedure as all other cases of priests placed on administrative leave following the February 2011 Grand Jury Report. Prior to any investigation, the case was submitted to the appropriate local district attorney's office. After the district attorney declined to press charges, investigations were conducted by the Multi-Disciplinary Team and the Archdiocesan Office of Investigations. The results of this process were submitted to the Archdiocesan Professional Responsibility Review Board (APRRB). The APRRB is comprised of twelve men and women, both Catholic and non-Catholic, with extensive professional backgrounds in the investigation and treatment of child sexual abuse. It functions as a confidential advisory committee to the Archbishop, which assesses allegations of sexual abuse as well as allegations of violations of The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries. This body provided a recommendation as to suitability for ministry to the Archbishop, who made the final decision.


On May 4, 2012; July 6, 2012; October 15, 2012; April 7, 2013; and December 15, 2013 Archbishop Chaput announced resolutions in 25 of the cases of priests on administrative leave. Of the 25, ten priests were found suitable for ministry and fourteen priests were found unsuitable for ministry. In one additional case, the priest died before a full investigation could be conducted so it was not possible to reach a conclusion. All of those cases followed the same process of review by the district attorney, an internal, canonical investigation, review by the APRRB and a final decision by the Archbishop. More information regarding those announcements is available at http://archphila.org/HHHIC/hhhic.php.

All priests found unsuitable for ministry will have no public ministry in the Archdiocese. They do have the right to appeal the decision to the Holy See. For any priest found to have a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, if they do not appeal, or if their appeal is unsuccessful, they could be laicized (removed from the clerical state) or live a life of prayer and penance.

With the decision announced today, the Archdiocese will continue the initiative entitled Honesty, Healing and Hope in Christ: Confronting Sexual Violence in Our Archdiocese, which was introduced in May 2012. Once a case is resolved the initiative begins at the parish level and consists of four phases over six months. Its purpose is to address the wide variety of reactions, thoughts and feelings that will be experienced as a result of this announcement both immediately and in the days and weeks moving forward. It identifies three primary stakeholders: the victims of the allegation or violation of The Standards of Ministerial Behaviors and Boundaries, the parishioners, who include school and Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) families, and the priests on administrative leave. Through the implementation of this initiative, the Archdiocese continues a journey of honesty, healing and hope toward the restoration of trust.

Biographical Information on Reverend Monsignor Joseph L. Logrip
Monsignor Logrip is 67 years old. He was ordained in 1972. He served at the following parishes, schools and offices: Saint Ignatius, Yardley (1972-1974); Saint Rose of Lima, North Wales (1974-1975); Bishop Kenrick High School (1974-1983); Epiphany of Our Lord, Plymouth Meeting (1975-1981); Saint Gabriel's Hall (1981-1983); Archbishop Carroll High School (1983-1990); Saint Francis of Assisi, Norristown (1990-1992); Saint Monica, Philadelphia (1992-1994); Mater Dolorosa, Philadelphia (1994-2000); Immaculate Conception, Levittown (2000-2007); Saints Philip and James, Exton (2007-2008); Mother of Divine Grace, Philadelphia (2008-2010); Chaplain, Saint Mary Manor (2010-2011); Saint Stanislaus, Lansdale (2010-2011); placed on administrative leave (2011).

To Make a Report
If you would like to report a violation of The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries, contact the Archdiocesan Office for Investigations at 1-888-930-9010.

If you would like to report an allegation of sexual abuse, contact your local law enforcement agency and/or the Office for Investigations at 1-888-930-9010.

We recognize that this public notice may be painful to victims of sexual violence. If you need support or assistance, victim services are available to you through the Victim Assistance Office of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at 1-888-800-8780 or [email protected].

###


Editor's Note:

Numerical Breakdown of Resolutions to Cases of Priests on Administrative Leave
Cases of administrative leave following the Grand Jury Report:
26
Resolutions announced on May 4, 2012: 8 (one priest died prior to a full investigation) total of 9
Resolutions announced on July 6, 2012: 6
Resolution announced on October 15, 2012: 1
Resolutions announced on April 7, 2013: 2
Resolutions announced on December 15, 2013: 7*
Priests on administrative leave who were arrested: 1
Resolution announced today: 1
Cases remaining: 0

*One of the resolutions announced on December 15, 2013 involved Father Michael Chapman. He was found suitable for ministry in May 2012 based on an unsubstantiated allegation that he violated The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries. Subsequent to that announcement, a new allegation was received by the Archdiocese that he had sexually abused a minor. This information was provided to law enforcement and Father Chapman was placed back on administrative leave. Law enforcement declined to press charges and he was ultimately found unsuitable for ministry based on the substantiation of this allegation. At no time was Father Chapman ever returned to active ministry.

For additional background information please visit http://archphila.org/HHHIC/hhhic.php.



Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Catholic Charities Appeal Partners With The Philadelphia Phillies For Second Annual Catholic Charities Night At Citizens Bank Park

June 9, 2014

CATHOLIC CHARITIES APPEAL PARTNERS WITH
THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES FOR SECOND ANNUAL
CATHOLIC CHARITIES NIGHT AT CITIZENS BANK PARK



After a successful turnout last season, the Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA) will partner once again with the Philadelphia Phillies for "Catholic Charities Night at the Ballpark". A portion of the proceeds from tickets purchased through a dedicated link will go directly to the appeal.

To purchase tickets to this game and support the Catholic Charities Appeal please visit www.phillies.com/catholiccharitiesnight.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014
7:05 p.m.
Citizens Bank Park
1 Citizens Bank Way
Philadelphia, PA19148


If 500 tickets are sold, Archbishop Chaput will have the opportunity to throw out the first pitch and students of special education from Saint Lucy Day School will perform the National Anthem. Seating will be located in the Outfield (101-107) at $38 per ticket, Pavilion (201-205) at $30 per ticket and Pavilion Deck (301-305) at $20 per ticket.

$10 parking is available at Stella Maris Parish Church located on South 10th Street between Bigler Street and Packer Avenue. Father DiOrio and EMG Investments will make a donation to Catholic Charities of $2 for each car parked in the lot on game night. Please note this is a non-tailgating lot.

# # #


Editor's Note: Every year, the Philadelphia Catholic Charities Appeal feeds, clothes, shelters, and educates more than 200,000 people across our region, regardless of their faith. Care is provided for the homeless, the elderly, disadvantaged youth and the developmentally delayed through more than 80 highly effective social service programs that build up the dignity of those served. To learn more about the Catholic Charities Appeal, visit http://catholiccharitiesappeal.org/.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

"mass Mob Philly" Announces Parish Venue For Second 'mass Mob' Event

June 9, 2014

"MASS MOB PHILLY" ANNOUNCES PARISH VENUE
FOR SECOND 'MASS MOB' EVENT



"Mass Mob Philly" is pleased to announce that the venue for the second 'Mass Mob' will be Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish located in the Pennsport section of South Philadelphia. Sacred Heart was one of four parishes in the Archdiocese nominated by its respective parish staff and was narrowly chosen in a vote set up on "Mass Mob Philly's" Facebook page.

Sunday, June 29, 2014
11:15 a.m.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Church
3rd and Reed Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19147


This unique evangelization initiative was derived from the concept of flash mobs and modeled after a successful grassroots program developed in the Diocese of Buffalo. A 'Mass Mob' encourages Catholics to come together in an organized fashion and in large numbers to attend Mass at a designated parish. "Mass Mob Philly's" inaugural 'Mass Mob' drew more than 400 faithful to Mass at Saint Francis Xavier Parish in March.

Like a flash mob, 'Mass Mobs' are organized almost entirely through social media. Future venues for 'Mass Mobs' will be put up for vote on their various social media channels. All 'Mass Mobs' will be planned collaboratively with parish staff, and take place with previous approval from pastors.

# # #


Editor's Note: "Mass Mob Philly" is organized entirely by lay Catholics with support from various parishes. For more information, please visit www.massmobphilly.org and https://www.facebook.com/massmobphilly.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Nutritional Development Services To Hold Annual Blessing Of The Summer The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Kicks Off Its Summer Meals Program

June 11, 2014

NUTRITIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
TO HOLD ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE SUMMER

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia kicks off its Summer Meals Program



Nutritional Development Services (NDS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is sponsoring its annual
Blessing of the Summer to kick off its Summer Meals Program. Monsignor Daniel Sullivan, President of the NDS Board, will preside over the blessing at Saint Athanasius Parish in Northwest Philadelphia.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014
12:00 p.m.
Immediately Followed by Lunch
Saint Athanasius Parish School Gym
7100 Cedar Park Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19138


The Summer Meals Program is federally funded, operated nationally by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This year the NDS Summer Meals Program runs from June 16th through August 22nd.

In Summer 2013, NDS worked with 440 sites and served over 820,000 meals throughout the Philadelphia region. NDS partners with dedicated community leaders to provide service to families and contribute to the health and well-being of children in Philadelphia and the surrounding area.

Saint Athanasius represents the more than 400 summer sites that will partner with NDS this year in providing a healthy meal to children. Participating sites offer children lunch and a choice of breakfast or a snack. Most Philadelphia and many suburban neighborhoods qualify for the program. Children participating in the summer meal program are invited to enter a Creative Writing Contest and a Poster Contest which promotes peace in the community.

# # #


Editor's Note: To sign up for the Summer Meals Program or for more information on Nutritional Development Services, please call Anne Ayella at 267-262-8901.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-8737

Dr. Tracey A. Rush Named Principal Of Monsignor Bonner And Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School

June 9, 2014

DR. TRACEY A. RUSH NAMED PRINCIPAL OF MONSIGNOR BONNER AND
ARCHBISHOP PRENDERGAST CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL



The Office of Catholic Education of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (OCE) and Faith in the Future are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Tracey A. Rush as Principal of Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School (Delaware County) effective July 1st.

Dr. Rush is a graduate of Archbishop Prendergast High School's Class of 1989. She currently serves as a member of the Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast Advisory Board as well as Chair of the school's Academic Achievement and Retention Committee. This announcement follows the March appointment of the current principal, Mr. William Brannick, to the position of Director of Technology for the Office of Catholic Education.

Dr. Carol Cary, Superintendent of Secondary Schools said, "We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Rush as Principal of Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast. It is wonderful to have someone who knows the Bonner and Prendie community so well, poised to lead the school into an exciting future. As a veteran educator and administrator with diversified experience, Dr. Rush will be a valuable asset to the school."

Rev. James P Olson, President of Bonner & Prendie, says, "I am grateful that so many strong and well-qualified candidates presented themselves during our search for principal and I am overjoyed to know that Dr. Rush has accepted the position. Already a strong part of our community, we look forward to the great things we will accomplish with her as part of our team."

Dr. Rush holds her Doctorate in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania. Since 2011, she has worked as an Assistant Professor and Director of Field Placement in the School of Education, Innovation and Continuing Studies at Widener University. Prior to her time at Widener, she spent five years as the Director of Student Disability Services/Learning Resources in the Dean's Office at Swarthmore College. In addition to her extensive work in Higher Education, Dr. Rush began her career as an Elementary School teacher in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, which included positions at the former Our Lady of Peace Parish Elementary School in Milmont Park (Delaware County) and Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Elementary School in Springfield (Delaware County).

# # #


Editor's Note: For information about Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit www.catholicschools-phl.org. For information about Faith in the Future, please visit www.faithinthefuture.com.

Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

20 Archdiocesesan Elementary Schools To Be Nationally Recognized During First Inmath Award Ceremony

June 4, 2014

20 ARCHDIOCESESAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TO BE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED DURING FIRST INMATH AWARD CEREMONY



Twenty Archdiocese of Philadelphia parish and regional elementary schools, whose students and educators have ranked nationally in the First InMath online program will be honored during a local awards ceremony. The awards will be presented by Dr. Robert Sun, Creator of First InMath and Sister Edward William Quinn, IHM, Director of Elementary Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Monday, June 9, 2014
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Saint Laurence Parish School
8245 West Chester Pike
Upper Darby, PA 19082 (Delaware County)


The ceremony will recognize students and educators from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in five categories: schools that placed in the top 100 schools ranking, teams that placed in the national Top 100 team rankings, educators that placed in the top 100 national educators ranking, family players that placed in the top 100 family member rankings and individual players that placed in the top 100 player rankings.

This year, Josephine Nguyen, a sixth grade student at Saint Cecilia Parish Elementary School, was named the top player nationally in the First InMath program for the third year in a row. In addition, Saint Martin of Tours School had the third place educator nationally. Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Veronica Parish Elementary Schools are ranked fourth and fifth nationally for the First InMath team category.

Dr. Robert Sun (Saint Francis de Sales School Class of 1962) invented the 24 Game in 1988. In 2002, the 24 Game expanded and moved to the internet under the title First in Math. The online program begins August 1st and ends April 30th each year. Students compete within their school, with other schools in the Archdiocese, with over 1,000 schools in Pennsylvania and over 5,000 schools nationwide.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information on Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia please visit http://www.catholicschools-phl.org/.

Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

United States Conference Of Catholic Bishops Invites Pope Francis To Attend The World Meeting Of Families - Philadelphia 2015

June 12, 2014

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Invites Pope Francis to Attend the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015



New Orleans, LA (June 12, 2014) - Yesterday at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) spring plenary meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, the bishops articulated their collective support for the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 by approving a letter to Pope Francis inviting him to the upcoming international conference, which will be held September 22-27, 2015.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput O.F.M. Cap. invited both his fellow bishops and families from their home dioceses to Philadelphia next year for the World Meeting of Families, encouraging them inspire families everywhere to attend.

Archbishop Chaput also addressed the possibility of a papal visit stating, "Obviously a papal visit is never official until the Holy See confirms it. And that rarely happens this far in advance. But we do have good reasons to believe that Pope Francis will take part in the meeting, and we're planning to welcome him wholeheartedly."

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, President of the USCCB, read a letter inviting the Holy Father to the World Meeting of Families in the presence of all of the bishops, who enthusiastically approved the text.

Text of Archbishop Kurtz' Letter to the Holy Father

Most Holy Father,

Assembled in New Orleans at our spring plenary meeting, we the Catholic Bishops of the United States look forward with joyful anticipation to the Eighth World Meeting of Families that is scheduled to take place in Philadelphia in September 2015. This event will be an occasion for Catholics from around the world to reflect on family life, and the role that families can play in strengthening our society and our Catholic faith.

We wish to take this opportunity to warmly invite Your Holiness to grace us with your presence at this event.

We have no doubt that the participants would be deeply honored, and would receive with gratitude your pastoral reflections on the meaning of the family.

It is our fervent hope, Your Holiness, that you will favorably consider our invitation to visit us in the United States. Your presence would not only add significance to the World Meeting of Families, but also serve to deepen the bonds of affection that our faithful and many other Americans share with you as Bishop of Rome.

Respectfully and fraternally yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D.
Archbishop of Louisville
President, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Remarks of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.

I have two brief tasks today. My first task is to invite you and the families in all of your parishes back home to come to Philadelphia next year for the World Meeting of Families 2015.

As most of us know, this is a gathering every three years not just for Catholics in a particular country or region, but a celebration designed for the global Church. We've already been blessed with the strong support of Pennsylvania's governor and Philadelphia's mayor. We also have the enthusiastic help of major corporations and business leaders, Catholic and non-Catholic alike. And that's a good thing, because the cost of next year's meeting will easily run into the tens of millions of dollars.

I'm confident we can raise those resources. But we do need your help in publicizing the World Meeting of Families in your own dioceses, and encouraging families everywhere to attend.

The dates for the 2015 meeting are September 22-27. Obviously a papal visit is never official until the Holy See confirms it. And that rarely happens this far in advance. But we do have good reasons to believe that Pope Francis will take part in the meeting, and we're planning to welcome him wholeheartedly. We expect up to 15,000 attendees for the first three days of the family congress, but well over 1 million for the Pope's visit on the concluding Saturday and Sunday.

Philadelphia is the birthplace of our country. It's a city rich in history, beauty, culture, entertainment and really marvelous food. So it's a wonderful place for families to visit and enjoy, while also deepening their faith. We've also studied what worked and didn't work about past world family meetings. We're committed to making our content engaging and our logistics simple and smooth. That means a wide variety of very practical speakers and breakout sessions on the real issues facing today's families, and also plenty of opportunities for enjoyment and entertainment.

We have the full cooperation of Philadelphia's public safety and transportation services, more than enough hotel accommodations and a great centralized venue for nearly all our events in Philadelphia's new Convention Center.

All of our events will have simultaneous translation in major languages. We'll be offering scholarships to representatives of poor dioceses from around our hemisphere and the world. And we're making a special effort to include the poor, the disabled and the elderly in the flow of all our events.

World Meeting of Families 2015 comes at a time when the Church in the United States urgently needs an opportunity for joy and renewal. It's also a time of great confusion about the nature of marriage and the family.

Our goal is to exclude no one from the excitement of this meeting. Our goal is to offer the beauty of Catholic teaching about marriage and the family with confidence and a spirit of invitation to every person of good will. That's the heart of our theme: "Love is our mission; the family fully alive." Just as St. Irenaeus taught that "the glory of God is man fully alive," so too the glory of men and women is their capacity to love as God loves. And nowhere is that love more powerfully modeled than in a faithful, natural family of mother, father and children. We want to show that truth persuasively to the world.

Our website is www.worldmeeting2015.org, and we'll be sending you ample information about the meeting in the weeks ahead. So again, please pray for the success of this gathering. And please help it succeed by urging your priests, deacons, religious and people to come to Philadelphia next year to be part of this extraordinary event.

My second task today is a personal pleasure. Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia helped found the Community of Sant'Egidio in Rome, went on to become bishop of Terni-Narni-Amelia in Italy, and is now the president of the Pontifical Council for the Family. In that role he serves as the council's guiding spirit in service to the Holy Father, and he has overall responsibility for the tri-annual World Meeting of Families.

Archbishop Paglia has a long history of inter-religious dialogue and of building bridges across religious divides. And he's been intimately involved in the planning for our Philadelphia gathering in 2015. So I ask you to join me in welcoming him for his own brief remarks.

###




About World Meetings of Families
Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.

Contact
Kenneth Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocesan High Schools Graduate The Class Of 2014

May 28, 2014

ARCHDIOCESAN HIGH SCHOOLS GRADUATE
THE CLASS OF 2014




Baccalaureate Masses and Commencement Exercises scheduled at high schools throughout the five counties of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia


The Archdiocese of Philadelphia's 17 high schools are proud to announce the baccalaureate Masses and commencement exercises for the Class of 2014. Catholic schools are committed to giving students the tools, skills, and guidance they need to not only overcome 21st-century challenges, but also to flourish intellectually, morally, and spiritually. The core purpose of Archdiocesan schools is "to equip saints for life in this world and the next."

The 2014 Archdiocesan high school baccalaureate Mass and commencement exercise schedule follows. Please note the high schools are listed in alphabetical order.

Archbishop John Carroll High School
Baccalaureate Mass:
Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Saint Pius X Church; 220 Lawrence Road; Broomall, PA 19008 (Delaware County)

Commencement Exercises: Wednesday, June 4, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.
Location: Cabrini College; 610 King of Prussia Road; Radnor, PA 19087 (Delaware County)
Presiding: Bishop John McIntyre

Archbishop Ryan High School
Baccalaureate Mass:
Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul; 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway; Philadelphia, PA 19103

Commencement Exercises: Monday, June 2, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.
Location: The Liacouras Center; Temple University; 1776 North Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19121
Presiding: Bishop Daniel Thomas

Archbishop Wood High School
Baccalaureate Mass:
Friday, May 30, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Archbishop Wood High School Auditorium; 655 York Road; Warminster, PA 18974 (Bucks County)

Commencement Exercises: Monday, June 2, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.
Location: Villanova Pavilion; Villanova University; 800 East Lancaster Avenue; Villanova, PA 19085 (Delaware County)
Presiding: Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.

Bishop McDevitt High School
Baccalaureate Mass:
Monday, June 2, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul; 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway; Philadelphia, PA 19103

Commencement Exercises: Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.
Location: Kuch Center; Arcadia University; 450 South Easton Road; Glenside, PA 19038 (Montgomery County)
Presiding: Bishop Michael Fitzgerald

Bishop Shanahan High School
Baccalaureate Mass:
Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Saint Elizabeth Church; Fellowship Road and Route 100; Uwchlan, PA 19480 (Chester County)

Commencement Exercises: Friday, June 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.
Location: Bishop Shanahan High School Auditorium; 220 Woodbine Road; Downingtown, PA 19335 (Chester County)
Presiding: Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.

Cardinal O'Hara High School
Baccalaureate Mass:
Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul; 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway; Philadelphia, PA 19103

Commencement Exercises: Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Villanova Pavilion; Villanova University; 800 East Lancaster Avenue; Villanova, PA 19085 (Delaware County)
Presiding: Bishop John McIntyre

Conwell-Egan Catholic High School
Baccalaureate Mass:
Monday, June 2, 2014 at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Saint Michael the Archangel Church; 66 Levittown Parkway; Levittown, PA 19054 (Bucks County)

Commencement Exercises: Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 10:30 a.m.
Location: Holy Family University, 9801 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19114
Presiding: Mr. Christopher Mominey, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary for Catholic Education

Father Judge High School for Boys
Baccalaureate Mass:
Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Maternity B.V.M. Church; 9220 Old Bustleton Avenue; Philadelphia, PA 19115

Commencement Exercises: Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.
Location: Liacouras Center; Temple University; 1776 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121
Presiding: Mr. Jason Budd, Deputy Secretary for Catholic Education

John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School
Baccalaureate Mass:
Monday, June 2, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Commencement to immediately follow
Location: Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul; 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway; Philadelphia, PA 19103
Presiding: Bishop Timothy Senior

Lansdale Catholic High School
Baccalaureate Mass:
Monday, June 2, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Saint Stanislaus Church; 51 Lansdale Avenue; Lansdale, PA 19446 (Montgomery County)
Celebrant: Bishop Daniel Thomas

Commencement Exercises: Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.
Location: National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa; Ferry Road; Doylestown, PA 18901 (Montgomery County)
Presiding: Dr. Carol Cary, Superintendent for Secondary Schools

Little Flower Catholic High Schools for Girls
Baccalaureate Mass:
Thursday, June 5, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul; 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway; Philadelphia, PA 19103

Commencement Exercises: Friday, June 6, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Holy Family University; 9801 Frankford Avenue; Philadelphia, PA 19114
Presiding: Bishop Daniel Thomas

Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School
Archbishop Prendergast Division
Baccalaureate Mass:
Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Holy Cross Church; Bishop and Springfield Roads; Springfield, PA 19064 (Delaware County)

Commencement Exercises: Friday, June 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.
Location: Villanova Pavilion; Villanova University; 800 East Lancaster Avenue; Villanova, PA 19085 (Delaware County)
Presiding: Bishop Timothy Senior

Monsignor Bonner Division
Baccalaureate Mass:
Thursday, June 5, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Holy Cross Church; Bishop and Springfield Roads; Springfield, PA 19064 (Delaware County)

Commencement Exercises: Friday, June 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.
Location: Villanova Pavilion; Villanova University; 800 East Lancaster Avenue; Villanova, PA 19085 (Delaware County)
Presiding: Bishop Timothy Senior

Pope John Paul II High School
Baccalaureate Mass:
Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Pope John Paul II High School Auditorium; 181 Rittenhouse Road; Royersford, PA 19468 (Montgomery County)
Celebrant: Bishop Timothy Senior

Commencement Exercises: Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 10:30 a.m.
Location: Pope John Paul II High School Auditorium; 181 Rittenhouse Road; Royersford, PA 19468 (Montgomery County)
Presiding: Bishop Timothy Senior

Roman Catholic High School for Boys
Baccalaureate Mass:
Friday, June 6, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. Commencement to immediately follow
Location: Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul; 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway; Philadelphia, PA 19103
Presiding: Bishop Michael Fitzgerald

Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls
Baccalaureate Mass:
Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 9:30 a.m.
Location: Our Lady of Ransom Church; Roosevelt Boulevard and Unruh Street; Philadelphia, PA 19149

Commencement Exercises: Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.
Location: Holy Family University; 9801 Frankford Avenue; Philadelphia, PA 19114
Presiding: Dr. Carol Cary, Superintendent for Secondary Schools

Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School
Baccalaureate Mass:
Thursday, June 5, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.
Location: Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul; 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway; Philadelphia, PA 19103
Celebrant: Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.

Commencement Exercises: Friday, June 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.
Location: Temple Performing Arts Center; Temple University; 1837 North Broad Street; Philadelphia, PA 19122
Presiding: Bishop John McIntyre

West Catholic Preparatory High School
Baccalaureate Mass:
Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Saint Cyprian Church; Cobbs Creek Parkway at Cedar Avenue; Philadelphia, PA 19143

Commencement Exercises: Monday, June 2, 2014 at 10:30 a.m.
Location: West Catholic Preparatory High School Auditorium; 4501 Chestnut Street; Philadelphia, PA 19139
Presiding: Bishop Michael Fitzgerald



# # #


Editor's Note: For more information on Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia please visit http://www.catholicschools-phl.org/. For more information on Faith in the Future please visit http://www.faithinthefuture.com/.


Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Sponsors Pilgrimage To Shrines In Canada And United States

June 19, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA SPONSORS PILGRIMAGE TO SHRINES IN CANADA AND UNITED STATES



The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is sponsoring an 8 day pilgrimage to shrines in Canada and United States for the Quebec Jubilee Pilgrimage, celebrating the 350th Anniversary of the founding of Notre-Dame de Quebec Cathedral- Basilica. The pilgrimage will be led by Auxiliary Bishop Daniel E. Thomas and Reverend G. Dennis Gill, director of the office for Divine Worship.

The pilgrimage's first stop will be the Shrine of Our Lady of the Martyrs in Auriesville, New York. The trip will also feature a visit to the shrine of North American Martyrs, the birthplace and tomb of Saint Kateri Tekakawitha and include the Jubilee Mass at Notre Dame de Quebec Cathedral.

Pilgrims will leave Philadelphia Wednesday September 10 and return Wednesday September 17.
Registration and payment are due by July 1, 2014.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information on the pilgrimage, contact the Office for Divine Worship at 215-587-3537. To register, visit http://archphila.org/pdfs/ArchdioceseflyerQuebec.pdf
or call Select International Tours at 800-842-4842.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Speciliast
215-587-3747

Archdiocesan Class Of 2014 Earns A Record $320 Million In College Scholarships

June 18, 2014

ARCHDIOCESAN CLASS OF 2014 EARNS A RECORD
$320 MILLION IN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS



Figure reflects the largest total in Archdiocesan history.


The Office of Catholic Education (OCE) and Faith in the Future are proud to announce that 3,629 young men and women who graduated from the 17 high schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia this June have earned a grand total of $320,573,955 in scholarships. This scholarship total, which includes both academic and athletic scholarships, is the largest in Archdiocesan history. 91% of the Class of 2014 will pursue a post-secondary education. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia also had a high school graduation rate of 99% this year.

Among the scholarship winners are three Gates Millennium Scholars, Ana DeJesus from John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School, Imani Richburg from West Catholic Preparatory High School and Alex Tieu from Roman Catholic High School for Boys. The Gates Millennium Scholars Program selects 1,000 talented students each year to receive a good-through-graduation (B.A., M.A., and Ph.D.) scholarship to use at any college or university of their choice. Ms. Dejesus, Ms. Richburg and Mr. Tieu were chosen from among 50,000 applicants nationally.

"The record amount of scholarship money the Class of 2014 has earned this year is truly staggering," said Christopher Mominey, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary for Catholic Education. "Our core purpose in the Office of Catholic Education is to equip saints for life in this world and the next. The Class of 2014 is a shining example of what is possible when you pair a quality Catholic Education with the hard work and dedication of teachers, students and parents. As our graduates begin a new chapter in their lives we prayerfully wish them much success and happiness in all their future endeavors."

Over half (58%) of the members of the Archdiocesan Class of 2014 were offered at least one college scholarship. 7589 total scholarships were awarded to members of the Archdiocesan Class of 2014. Since 2000, Archdiocesan high school graduates have earned more than $2.6 billion in scholarships.

# # #


Editor's Note: For information about Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit www.catholicschools-phl.org. For information about Faith in the Future, please visit www.faithinthefuture.com.

Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia To Participate In National Fortnight For Freedom

June 18, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA TO PARTICIPATE
IN NATIONAL FORTNIGHT FOR FREEDOM



Faithful throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are encouraged to take part in the third annual Fortnight for Freedom being observed nationally June 21 to July 4, 2014.

Locally, the observance will be parish-based with various ways to participate including: daily praying of the rosary before and after Mass and in homes; adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament; praying for religious freedom in all meetings and assemblies in the parish during these two weeks; and various parish outreach efforts, especially to the needy and the poor, to demonstrate how religious freedom enables the Church to be of service to others.

Reverend Dennis Gill will preside over the Holy Hour for Religious Freedom and Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will be the celebrant and homilist at the Mass immediately following. Confessions will be heard during the Holy Hour.

Sunday, June 22, 2014
5:30 p.m. (Holy Hour)
6:30 p.m. (Mass)
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103


This year, the Fortnight for Freedom takes on added significance as the United States Supreme Court is expected to rule in late June on cases challenging the HHS mandate that would require companies to violate their conscience by including life-terminating drugs and devices in their closely-held health insurance plans.

Additionally, there are increasing threats to the religious freedom of those who believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. The success of this Fortnight is vital to maintaining religious freedom in response to the growing range of issues threatening this fundamental liberty.

# # #


Editor's Note: To learn more about the Fortnight for Freedom, please visit http://usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/fortnight-for-freedom/index.cfm

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: When 'god Is Love' Has A Human Face

June 19, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
WHEN 'GOD IS LOVE' HAS A HUMAN FACE




This week the Church leads us from one great solemnity, Trinity Sunday last weekend, to another, Corpus Christi Sunday, on June 22. Both feasts teach us something beautiful about the God we profess and the life he invites us to lead.

Like Jews and Muslims, Christians believe that God is one. There is no other god but God, who made all things from nothing; who is infinitely greater than and different from us; and who is utterly independent of his creation. When we call God holy we mean what the Latin word sanctus or the Hebrew word kadosh means - God is "other than" us, and our human understanding, unaided by God himself, can never fully grasp his essence.

But Christians also believe that God speaks to us through Scripture and the wisdom of the Church, and that the words from the First Letter of John - "God is love" (4:8,16) -- are quite literally true. God's nature, his "oneness," is a communion of love among Father, Son and Holy Spirit; one God in three divine persons, whose love creates and sustains all things. Thus, while the nature of God is a mystery, it's not an entirely foreign one: Every loving human family - the unity of father, mother and child -- reflects, in a small and partial way, the nature of God himself.

There's more. Christians believe that God is not merely transcendent but also immanent. God became man in Jesus Christ. He took on our flesh. Therefore Christianity is incarnational. God created the human race, but then he also entered it out of love to redeem us. He loves each of us not only as a maker, but also as a father and brother. This constant, tangible presence of God personally in our midst is renewed in every Mass. The Eucharist is more than a symbol or a metaphor or a commemorative meal, although it's all those things, as well. Rather, it's the living flesh and blood of Jesus Christ.

Corpus Christi Sunday, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, reminds us that Jesus really is Emmanuel - "God with us" - and every time we receive him in the Eucharist, he asks us to love as he loved and trust God as he trusted his father.

How do we love as Christ loved? How do we take Christian love from the realm of theology to the realm of practice?

Mother Teresa did it one small act of mercy at a time. Today her Missionaries of Charity comfort the destitute and suffering around the world. Eunice Kennedy Shriver began with the same modest steps. The Special Olympics movement started more than 50 years ago as simple games in the back yard of Eunice and Sargent Shriver's home. The Shrivers had a profoundly Catholic love for children with intellectual disabilities, and once they began, they never stopped helping persons with disabilities discover their God-given dignity and skills.

Today the Special Olympics movement includes 4.2 million athletes in more than 170 countries. As I write this column, nearly 4,000 Special Olympics athletes from all 50 states and the District of Columbia are competing in the 2014 USA National Special Olympics Games in New Jersey, and 185 of those extraordinary athletes belong to the Pennsylvania delegation. Each of them is a hero. So is every coach, parent, volunteer and sponsor who has worked so hard, sacrificed so much and loved so unselfishly to win these Special Olympians the inclusion and recognition they deserve.

If "God is love" - and he is - then those who love well, for the sake of others, without counting the cost, are the godly. They're the human face of God's love in our midst. And all of us are the richer for it.

This coming Sunday, as we celebrate Corpus Christi, we need to thank God in a special way for the gift of his love, incarnate in his son; for Christ's real presence in the Eucharist; for the living water we find in Sacred Scripture; and for the Christian witness of those whose lives give us a glimpse of the beauty of God himself.

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Catholic Community Services Of The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia To Host Van Tour Of Its Offices And Partner Agencies

June 25, 2014

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA TO HOST
VAN TOUR OF ITS OFFICES AND PARTNER AGENCIES



Catholic Community Services (CCS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will host a Guided Van Tour of its offices as well as the sites of partner agencies and community affiliates. The tour will begin at 11:30 a.m. on June 26, 2014 at the CCS Office located on Verree Road. CCS is a Community Umbrella Agency under the Department of Human Services, serving Northeast Philadelphia.

Van Tour Departure
Thursday, June 26, 2014
11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Catholic Community Services
10125 Verree Road
Philadelphia, PA


Tour participants will learn about the community outreach and partner services of Catholic Community Services within police districts #2, #7, and #8, all located in Greater Northeast Philadelphia. All members of the communities served by CCS are welcomed to join the Van Tour, which will be visiting the following sites:

* CORA Services, Inc. (8540 Verree Road),
* Settlement Music School (3745 Clarendon Avenue)
* The Office of Honorable Brendan F. Boyle (14230 Bustleton Avenue)
* Lawncrest Recreation Center (6000 Rising Sun Avenue)
* New Foundations, Inc. and Immanuel Lutheran Church (drive-past only)

The Van Tour will conclude at the CCS Office at 2990 Holmes Avenue with a reception offering Philadelphia Hoagies, Tastykakes, Water Ice, and Peanut Chews.

Catholic Community Services is an entity within Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, which for over 200 years has provided social services designed to transform the lives of children and families for the better.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information or to register for the Van Tour contact Mary Bell at 215-687-2773.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Catholicphilly.com Wins First Place Award For Best Catholic News Website In North America Catholic Philly Is The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia's Official Online News Agency

June 26, 2014

CATHOLICPHILLY.COM WINS FIRST PLACE AWARD
FOR BEST CATHOLIC NEWS WEBSITE IN NORTH AMERICA

Catholic Philly is the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's official online news agency


CatholicPhilly.com was awarded first place for Best General Publisher Web Site in the United States and Canada by the Catholic Press Association at this year's Catholic Media Conference. Deemed the top source for Catholic news in the Philadelphia area and beyond, judges applauded the website for its 'clean presentation', 'easy navigation', and ability to 'get where you need to go easily with just a few clicks.' The website underwent a redesign last November.

"It is a blessing to work with talented professionals in any field. But in this one, we know that our work has a dimension of the eternal," says Matt Gambino, Director and General Manager of CatholicPhilly.com. "It remains our mission to inform, inspire and form in the Catholic faith the 50,000 monthly visitors to CatholicPhilly.com, and thereby to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the new evangelization."

The site was also awarded honorable mention for Best Freestanding Online/Multimedia Presentation of Photo Gallery or Slide Show for their photo coverage of the 250th anniversary celebration at Old Saint Mary's Parish.

"Photographer Sarah Webb captures the essence of events and people with professionalism and insight," Gambino adds. "She and all our faithful contributors are a credit to the church and the profession of journalism to which they are dedicated."

Catholic Philly serves more customers digitally than they did in print through the former Catholic Standard and Times newspaper.

# # #


Editor's Note: To find out more about CatholicPhilly.com and to sign up for their weekly newsletter, please visit http://catholicphilly.com/newsletter/.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Statement Of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.f.m. Cap. Regarding Denial Of Injunctive Relief Against Hhs Mandate

June 27, 2014

STATEMENT OF ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT, O.F.M. CAP. REGARDING DENIAL OF INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AGAINST HHS MANDATE




I was deeply disappointed to learn that U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Buckwalter has denied charitable entities related to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, along with the Archdiocese itself, a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Elements of the Act would force religious employers to cooperate in providing employees with access to contraceptives, abortifacients and other services that violate Catholic beliefs.

An appeal was filed yesterday to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Our case parallels dozens of other cases nationwide in which such relief has been granted. Without it, on July 1, 2014, we will be forced to choose between violating our deeply held religious beliefs or grave financial distress that threatens our ability to continue to perform the good works and ministerial outreach to people in need throughout the Philadelphia region.

Archdiocesan charities daily assist the homeless, the elderly, immigrants, the disabled, the developmentally delayed and many other segments of our population that are vulnerable. These services are provided regardless of an individual's religious beliefs or lack thereof. We are grateful for the privilege of ministering to those most in need. We seek only to do those works of mercy without government coercion or interference that would compromise our religious convictions. It's a reasonable request, and for believing Catholics, a fundamentally important one. We'll continue to press it in every way and at every level of judicial appeal available to us.

# # #

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: Europe, America And Religious Freedom

June 27, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
EUROPE, AMERICA AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM




Earlier this month, members of Philadelphia's Congregations of Ner Zedek found swastikas spray-painted on their synagogue. It was the second act of vandalism against their community this year. Americans have a natural repugnance for this kind of religious and ethnic bigotry, especially in the wake of the Holocaust. For Christians, whose own faith makes no sense if severed from its Jewish roots, anti-Semitism is a uniquely ugly sin.

Thus, while American Jews have often faced prejudice, the Jewish community has generally thrived in Philadelphia and the United States. And Jews have played a vital role, since the founding, in the development of the country we share.

I mention this because we Americans too easily take our habits of religious coexistence, cooperation and freedom for granted. And we shouldn't. A recent Wall Street Journal commentary - "Do Jews Have a Future in Europe?" - noted that:

"The reality is that Europe's Jews face almost daily attacks. In France, home to Europe's largest Jewish community of about 650,000, the situation is particularly severe, with 170 anti-Semitic acts reported by the Paris-based Jewish Community Protection Service and the French Ministry of the Interior in the first trimester of 2014. According to the French League of Human Rights, nearly 50 percent of racist acts in France are anti-Semitic, though Jews are 1 percent of the population."

In countries where just 70 years ago Jews were murdered by the millions, hatred of Jews is strong again from the far right, the anti-Israeli left and extremist elements of the Muslim immigrant community. Pope Francis had warm relations with the Argentine Jewish community as archbishop of Buenos Aires. He's spoken out forcefully against anti-Semitism. He's had especially harsh words for the hypocrisy of anyone who claims to be a Christian but refuses to see Jews as brothers. But the "old" European anti-Semitism -- rooted partly in Christian supersessionist theology -- has been replaced by an equally toxic mix of racism, Holocaust denial, political bigotry and radical Islam.

Pope Francis has also repeatedly warned that anti-Semitism is not the only murderous form of modern bigotry. He noted that Christians are now the most widely and brutally persecuted religious community in the world, especially in Asia and Africa, but with growing hostility toward the Christian faith in Europe and North America as well. He described today's attacks on Christians as exceeding anything in the violence of the Church's first centuries, with more martyrs now than during the era of Roman persecutions.

Here's my point. This week we American Catholics observe the third annual Fortnight for Freedom (June 21-July 4). The Fortnight exists to remind us what an exceptional gift we have in our nation's guarantees of religious liberty. But those guarantees are only as strong as our zeal in insisting on them; and in our determination to fight hard for them in our legislatures and courts. We're a long way in the United States from the kind of terrible violence experienced by many Jews in Europe and many Christians in Asia and Africa. America remains, in large measure, a nation of law, common sense and good will. But coercion comes in many forms, and Americans have no magic immunity from today's growing government interference with their natural and constitutional rights - or with their religious consciences.

The theme for this year's Fortnight for Freedom is "Freedom to Serve." The Catholic community in Philadelphia has a long - and in fact, unrivaled -- legacy of helping the poor, the disabled, the hungry, the orphan, the elderly, the homeless and the immigrant. We're proud of that legacy, and we're grateful for the opportunity to serve the needs of the wider public.

What we ask in return is simple. It's also thoroughly consistent with the American ideal of religious freedom. Our charitable ministries do what they do because they're Catholic, because we're Catholic, and they embody and carry out our religious beliefs. But our ministries, and we ourselves, quite logically need to serve without violating the very religious and moral convictions that led us to serve in the first place.

It's a reasonable request, and for believing Catholics, a fundamentally important one. We'll continue to press it in every way and at every level of judicial appeal available to us. And that's at the heart of this year's Fortnight for Freedom.

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Statement Of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.f.m. Cap. Regarding Denial Of Injunctive Relief Against Hhs Mandate

June 27, 2014

STATEMENT OF ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT, O.F.M. CAP. REGARDING PRELIMINARY INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AGAINST THE HHS MANDATE BY THE THIRD CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS



I was very pleased to learn just a short time ago that the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has granted charitable entities related to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, along with the Archdiocese itself, temporary injunctive relief, pending further briefing. This temporary injunction delays enforcement of portions of the Affordable Care Act.

I’m grateful for the order issued by this court, which allows us to continue our pursuit of the First Amendment principle of religious freedom. Thankfully, the injunction will allow our charitable entities to continue performing their good works and ministerial outreach to people throughout the Philadelphia region without fear of facing punitive fines. We will continue, on behalf of all believing Catholics, to stand up for religious liberty and our right to minister to those most in need according to the teachings of the Church.

###
BACKGROUND:

Elements of the ACA would force religious employers to cooperate in providing employees with access to contraceptives, abortifacients and other services that violate Catholic belief. 

Archdiocesan charities daily assist the homeless, the elderly, immigrants, the disabled, the developmentally delayed and many other segments of the region’s population that are vulnerable. These services are provided regardless of an individual’s religious beliefs or lack thereof.

The legal action parallels dozens of other cases nationwide.


Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Announces Agreement Of Sale With Center Management Group Regarding Nursing Homes Operated By Catholic Health Care Services Today's Announcement Details The Latest In A Series Of Actions Taken By The Archdiocese To Rebuild A Firm Fiscal Foundation; Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Communities And Adult Day Care Programs To Retain Their Catholic Identity And Continue Their Mission With No Perceptible Change.

June 30, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT OF SALE WITH
CENTER MANAGEMENT GROUP REGARDING NURSING HOMES OPERATED BY
CATHOLIC HEALTH CARE SERVICES

Today's announcement details the latest in a series of actions taken by the Archdiocese to
rebuild a firm fiscal foundation; Nursing homes, assisted living communities and adult day care
programs to retain their Catholic identity and continue their mission with no perceptible change.



Contextual Background

Last July, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia published audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. The financial statements disclosed a $39.2 million operating deficit for that period as well as very significant underfunded balance sheet liabilities that measured in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Since his arrival in Philadelphia nearly three years ago, Archbishop Chaput has repeatedly expressed his commitment to financial transparency and prudent stewardship of the resources of the Archdiocese. Beginning in the summer of 2012, a series of steps were taken to begin to remedy Archdiocesan fiscal challenges. The Archbishop's residence along with a property in Ventnor, New Jersey, were both sold to provide necessary immediate cash flow. Many other actions followed including a reduction of 25% of the workforce at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center in order to stem the operating deficit. None of those measures were taken lightly, but all were essential to maintaining the presence of the Catholic Church in the Philadelphia region and the good works accomplished through its various ministries.

The audited financial statements published by the Archdiocese last December for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013 illustrated the beginning of the positive impact of these actions with an "as reported" surplus of $3.9 million and a core operational deficit that had shrunk to $4.9 million from the $17.9 million core deficit that had been reported for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. The report did indicate, however, that significant underfunded balance sheet liabilities remained in the categories of the Trust and Loan Fund, the Self Insurance Reserve, the Priests' Pension Plan and the Lay Employees' Retirement Plan.

Background Regarding Today's Announcement

In an effort to address the underfunded balance sheet liabilities noted above, an evaluation of various Archdiocesan real estate assets and operating entities was undertaken. This evaluation focused on assets that could potentially be used to remedy the underfunded balance sheet obligations.

Among the operating entities evaluated was Catholic Health Care Services (CHCS), which has been well managed for many years. Archbishop Chaput decided to market the six nursing homes and one assisted living facility operated by CHCS for potential sale last August. At that time an announcement regarding his decision was made to CHCS employees as well nursing home residents, families of residents and the general public. Further information regarding that announcement can be found at http://archphila.org/press releases/pr002216.php.

Today, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell the nursing homes to Center Management Group (CMG), headquartered in Flushing, New York. Founded in 1999, CMG is a regional health care management company that specializes in long term care. Its skilled nursing operations include short term rehabilitation, sub-acute care, long term care and ventilator care. CMG also offers independent and assisted living, as well as homecare, and adult medical day care programs.

CMG currently owns and operates 15 nursing homes in New York and New Jersey. Two of these homes, formerly known as the Bishop Mugavero Center for Geriatric Care and the Holy Family Home, were once part of the Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Centers of New York System, and continue to be operated in a Catholic, faith-based manner.

"This agreement will serve the Archdiocese and its people well by ensuring the nursing homes presently operated by Catholic Health Care Services will continue to be dignified centers of care for the elderly in the Catholic tradition and in accord with the moral and ethical teachings of the Church," said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. "I did not arrive at this decision lightly. It came only after a great deal of consultation, discussion and prayer. Center Management Group has a great deal of experience in the operation of nursing homes and they've guaranteed the conditions I set forth some time ago in terms of fair treatment of current employees and residents. Center Management Group was selected from a group of nearly 30 initial bidders in a competitive process that focused largely on the personal commitment of potential buyers to provide the highest possible quality of health care in a manner consistent with Catholic identity and moral teaching.

As I've said time and again, I'm committed to talking about our financial issues and how we are dealing with them in a transparent fashion. We're making progress and we become a little more stable with each step we take. We still have a way to go, but everything is being done so that we can best fulfill the Church's mission of evangelization and service to those in need."


"Center Management Group is excited about the culmination of the more than six months of meetings and discussions with the senior administration of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Catholic Health Care Services that led to today's agreement," said Charles-Edouard Gros, MPH, LNHA, EMT-P, Chief Executive Officer of Center Management Group LLC. "Our collaborative and careful deliberations over the past months have allowed us to finalize a transaction that will provide for the seamless continuation of the seven skilled nursing and assisted living facilities as well as adult medical day care programs and continuing care retirement communities that have been optimally operated and maintained by Catholic Health Care Services. We are enthusiastic about the future and grateful for Archbishop Chaput's confidence in our ability. The experience we bring to delivering premier healthcare to our residents, coupled with our commitment to safeguard and fortify the Catholic religious and ethical practices currently in place, will allow the facilities to continue flourishing. We look forward to working alongside those who have staffed and managed them so well as we move forward."



Financial Aspects of the Transaction

Upon closing, subject to satisfaction of certain pre-closing conditions, CMG will provide a payment of $145 million to the Archdiocese. The net proceeds available will be reduced by CMG's retention of resident accounts receivable; the paying down of CHCS' outstanding external debt; the setting aside of certain amounts for ongoing ministries of Catholic Human Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and closing costs.

The net proceeds will be applied to lessen the previously disclosed underfunded balance sheet liabilities noted in the bullet points below. The exact allocations to be made to each have not yet been determined.

Please note that the amounts presented below and labeled as "current underfunding" are unaudited approximations as of June 30, 2014. The current estimates of the underfunded balance sheet liabilities have been positively impacted by proceeds applied from the recently completed transaction involving the Archdiocesan cemeteries. Amounts noted as of June 30, 2013 are audited figures previously published by the Archdiocese.


(On November 5, 2013, the Archdiocese announced that it would freeze its Lay Employees' Retirement Plan (LERP) effective July 1, 2014. More information on that announcement can be found at http://archphila.org/press releases/pr002266.php.)

Aspects of the Transaction Pertaining to Continued Catholic Identity

The agreement announced today is the latest in a series of strategic actions taken by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to help restore a solid financial foundation. In September 2013, the Archdiocese announced that it has entered into an outsourced management agreement and long-term lease with StoneMor Partners, L.P. regarding its Archdiocese cemeteries that provided an initial lease payment of $53 million to the Archdiocese (an explanation of how these funds were allocated is outlined above) as well as future lease payments that will total an additional $36 million in the years to come. That transaction, which closed in May 2014, along with the one being announced today, are part of the ongoing Archdiocesan effort to build the strongest possible Catholic Church in Philadelphia-one that will be sustainable now and into the future.

Facilities Included in the Agreement of Sale

The following is a list of the facilities included in the sale agreement with Center Management Group: Immaculate Mary Home (skilled nursing facility), Philadelphia; Villa Saint Martha (senior living community, assisted and independent living), Downingtown (Chester County); Saint Francis Country House (skilled nursing facility), Darby (Delaware County); Saint John Neumann Home (skilled nursing facility), Philadelphia; Saint Martha Manor (skilled nursing facility), Downingtown (Chester County); Saint Mary Manor (senior living community, with skilled nursing care, and assisted and independent living), Lansdale (Montgomery County); and Saint Monica Manor (skilled nursing facility), Philadelphia.

Impact on Current Nursing Home Employees and Residents

The Archdiocese is committed to working closely with Center Management Group to ensure that all who work in and are served by the nursing homes experience the smoothest possible transition. Employees at all locations affected by this transaction are being informed at ongoing meetings today. Written follow-up communication will also be sent to their homes. Letters providing detailed information regarding the transaction have also been sent to the families of all current residents.

Impact on Employees
Center Management Group has guaranteed fair treatment of current employees. Current nursing home staff members will become employees of CMG effective on the closing date at their current rate of base pay and with reasonable protection packages if the employee is not retained in the first year.

Employees will also receive health benefits under Center Management Group's healthcare plans. Additionally, current employee eligibility, accrual and vesting for benefit plans, vacation and sick time will be carried over along with any unused sick, holiday, vacation and personal time that has been earned but not used prior to closing of the transaction.

Impact on Residents
The Archdiocese stated previously that a condition of any sale of the nursing homes would be the retention of all current residents regardless of payor status. Center Management Group has agreed to retain all residents living in the facilities as of the closing date regardless of their Medicare, Medicaid, private or commercial payor status.

Given that the Catholic identity of all facilities will remain in place as demonstrated by the continued presence of Roman Catholic priests as chaplains, the ongoing celebration of daily as well as Sunday Mass and the administration of the Sacraments on a regular basis, there will be no perceptible change in operations for residents after closing of the transaction.

Future Elder Care and Ministerial Outreach by Catholic Health Care Services

After the completion of the sale of the nursing homes, Catholic Health Care Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will remain in existence and continue in its commitment to care for senior citizens in the Philadelphia region. It will continue to fulfill its mission of ministering to those in need by expanding upon its existing community based programs. Using a successful model which encompasses a variety of community and in home programs, Community Based Services for Seniors will continue to build its network of senior day centers, geriatric care management programs and information and referral services.

CHCS will also continue to expand its growing portfolio of affordable housing for independent seniors in neighborhoods across the City of Philadelphia Three new projects currently under development will create 155 housing units for seniors to age in place. These combined initiatives demonstrate CHCS' strong commitment to support and serve senior citizens in the five county Archdiocese.

Finally, CHCS will continue to oversee operations at the Saint John Vianney Center as well as the Villa Saint Joseph Retirement facility for priests while providing additional priest retirement services in general.

# # #


Editor's Note:

About Catholic Health Care Services in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Founded in 1913, Catholic Health Care Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is the seventh largest faith-based provider of skilled nursing and assisted living care in the country with a total capacity of just over 1,400 beds. It also provides adult day care, rehabilitation therapy, memory support, affordable housing, community support outreach and end-of-life care programs.

For additional information about the Catholic Health Care Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit www.Catholichealthcareservices.org.

About Center Management Group

Founded in 1999, Center Management Group, led by its principal, Charles-Edouard Gros, is a leader in the operation and management of high quality healthcare providers. Center Management Group is dedicated to providing all of its residents with the highest quality health care in a homelike environment. The team at Center Management Group possesses a keen understanding of the vast array of issues that face the frail and elderly population, individuals who are sick and those who are in need of emergency care. Center Management Group has vast experience in providing skilled nursing, independent living, and assisted living care, sub-acute care, rehabilitation therapy, adult day care programs, and personal home care.

For additional information about Center Management Group, please contact Pamela Zelcer at [email protected].

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Statement Of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.f.m. Cap. Regarding Supreme Court "hobby Lobby" Decision

June 30, 2014

STATEMENT OF ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT, O.F.M. CAP.
REGARDING SUPREME COURT "HOBBY LOBBY" DECISION




The outcome of the Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Products cases is heartening. The decision appears to reaffirm the founding fathers' vision of a country where religious believers may live out their convictions in everyday life without undue government interference or coercion.

On behalf of the charitable entities affiliated with our Archdiocese and the Archdiocese itself, we hope that today's decision will have a positive impact on our own pending litigation related to the HHS mandate.

In our country, no person and no organization grounded in religious conviction should be forced to choose between complying with the law and violating their religious beliefs.

# # #

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Office Of Catholic Education And Faith In The Future Launch "transfer Advantage" Campaign

July 10, 2014

OFFICE OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION AND FAITH IN THE FUTURE
LAUNCH "TRANSFER ADVANTAGE" CAMPAIGN




The Office of Catholic Education (OCE) and Faith in the Future are proud to announce the launch of a new transfer grant campaign, taking place in all 17 Archdiocesan high schools. The "Transfer Advantage" campaign is an outreach to parents of any students entering 10th, 11th or 12th grades who are not currently enrolled at an Archdiocesan high school. Transfer students, who meet all admission requirements and are accepted to one of the 17 Archdiocesan high schools, would be eligible to receive a $1,000 grant for the 2014-2015 academic year.

In addition to the roll out of a new website, www.transferadvantage.org, radio and transit campaigns are also being launched in Philadelphia and the four suburban counties and will run through early Fall. The tag line for the campaign is, "It's their future. Don't settle." The transit campaign began June 27th and runs through September 21st. The radio campaign will begin airing on local stations July 14th and will run through August 17th.

Mr. Christopher Mominey, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary for Catholic Education said, "We are thrilled to launch this new initiative. With 'Transfer Advantage,' our purpose is simple: to attract potential students not currently enrolled at an Archdiocesan high school who are interested in learning more about the gift of Catholic education right here in their own backyards. Recently, we announced that graduates of the Class of 2014 earned a staggering $320 million in college scholarships. That record number is a testament to what a quality Catholic high school education is worth in the Philadelphia area. Along with our partners at Faith in the Future, whose mission is to help ensure that every family that desires a Catholic education has access to one, we are committed to making this initiative a success across all 17 of our high schools."

Current Archdiocesan high school students, though not eligible for the $1,000 "Transfer Advantage" grant, are still eligible for other programs including need-based assistance, financial aid and scholarship opportunities. A summary of high school financial assistance available to current students can be found at www.affordcatholicschool.org. These programs provide significant financial help and support to almost half of the students attending the 17 Archdiocesan high schools. For the 2012-2013 academic year, students received close to $13 million in tuition assistance and scholarships to attend Archdiocesan high schools.


# # #

Editor's Note: For more information on Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit http://www.catholicschools-phl.org/. For more information on Faith in the Future, please visit http://www.faithinthefuture.com/.

Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Ms. Denise Lepera Named President Of Archbishop Ryan High School

July 14, 2014

Ms. Denise LePera Named President of
Archbishop Ryan High School




The Office of Catholic Education (OCE) and Faith in the Future are pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Denise LePera as President of Archbishop Ryan High School, effective July 28th.

Ms. LePera joins Archbishop Ryan after six years of dedicated service to Roman Catholic High School for Boys as Executive Director of Institutional Advancement. This announcement follows the March appointment of the former president, Mr. Michael McArdle, to the position of Director of Financial Aid for the Office of Catholic Education, which was effective on July 1st.

Mr. Christopher Mominey, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary for Catholic Education said, "Denise brings to Archbishop Ryan an extensive background in Development and Institutional Advancement, which speaks to our commitment to lead each of our 17 high schools into a mindset of growth and innovation. Ms. LePera is a great example of that commitment. During the search for a new president at Archbishop Ryan the Office of Catholic Education and Faith in the Future sought input from a variety of members within the school community. We are especially appreciative of the Archbishop Ryan Board of Advisors who was integral in the recommendation and selection process."

Ms. LePera holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Liberal Studies and a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Leadership both from Neumann University in Aston (Delaware County). Prior to her position at Roman Catholic, Ms. LePera was Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations from 1999 to 2006 and Director of Institutional Gifts and Donor Relations from 2006-2008 at Neumann University. Her sons, Steve, Class of 2002 and Dan, Class of 2004, are both proud graduates of Archbishop Ryan High School.

# # #


Editor's Notes: For information about Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit www.catholicschools-phl.org. For information about Faith in the Future, please visit www.faithinthefuture.com.

Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

First Class Relic Of Pope Saint John Paul Ii To Be Venerated At Cathedral Basilica Of Saints Peter And Paul

July 15, 2014

FIRST CLASS RELIC OF POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II TO BE VENERATED AT
CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL




A precious Relic of the recently canonized Pope Saint John Paul II will be exposed for public veneration between all of the Masses at the Cathedral Basilica.

Saturday-Sunday, July 19-20, 2014
5:15 p.m. (Saturday Mass in Basilica)
8:00 a.m. (Sunday Mass in Cathedral Chapel)
9:30 a.m. (Sunday Mass in Basilica)
11:00 a.m. (Sunday Mass in Basilica)
12:30 p.m. (Sunday Spanish Mass in Cathedral Chapel)
3:00 p.m. (Divine Mercy Chaplet in Basilica)
6:30 p.m. (Sunday Mass in Basilica)
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103


At the conclusion of each Mass on Saturday and Sunday, there will be a blessing with the Relic of Pope Saint John Paul II asking for his heavenly intercession. Everyone is welcome to the Cathedral Basilica for this weekend of devotion.

The Relic is of the Holy Father's blood, which remains in a liquid state. The Knights of Columbus have been entrusted with this Relic to foster devotion to Pope Saint John Paul II.

###


Editor's Note: For more information please contact the Office for Divine Worship at 215-587-3537 or [email protected].

Contact
Annie Korp
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia To Host Open Forum With U.s. Association Of Consecrated Virgins

July 16, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA TO HOST OPEN FORUM WITH U.S. ASSOCIATION OF CONSECRATED VIRGINS



The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is hosting an informational gathering with the United States Association of Consecrated Virgins before their 2014 convocation, which is being held in Philadelphia.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014
1:30 p.m.
Archdiocesan Pastoral Center Auditorium
222 North 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103


All are welcome to meet consecrated virgins from around the United States, as Judith M. Stegman, President of the United States Association of Consecrated Virgins, presents on "The Order of Virgins as a form of Consecrated Life in Today's Church."

There will also be a panel of consecrated virgins responding to commonly asked questions about their vocation and its worldwide restoration.

###


Editor's Note: For more information on the United States Association of Consecrated Virgins visit www.consecratedvirgins.org.

Contact
Annie Korp
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

Saint John Paul Ii And Saint Gianna Announced As Patron Saints For World Meeting Of Families - Philadelphia 2015 With First-class Relic Of Saint John Paul Ii Presented For Veneration At The Cathedral Basilica Of Saints Peter And Paul, The Patron Saints For This International Gathering Of Families Were Unveiled

July 21, 2014

Saint John Paul II and Saint Gianna Announced as Patron Saints for World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015

With first-class relic of Saint John Paul II presented for veneration at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul,
the patron saints for this international gathering of families were unveiled



Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. officially announced Saint John Paul II and Saint Gianna as the Patron Saints for the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015. First made public during the July 20th Sunday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Archbishop Chaput's announcement was made in conjunction with the unveiling of the first-class relic of Saint John Paul II for public veneration.

The World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 selected Saint John Paul II as one of its' Patron Saints as he is inextricably linked to both Philadelphia and this world gathering. In 1979 Saint John Paul II was the first Pope to ever visit Philadelphia, celebrating Mass on Logan Circle for nearly one million. 15 years later, in 1994, Saint John Paul II celebrated the first World Meeting of Families, which aimed to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe. Upon his canonization, he was declared "the pope of the family."

Saint Gianna was also chosen as a Patron Saint for the 2015 World Meeting of Families as she encompasses the conference's 2015 theme, "Love is our mission: the family fully alive." A pediatrician and mother of four, Saint Gianna is best known for her selfless love as a mother, giving her life to bear her fourth child in 1962. She was beatified in 1994 - the first year the World Meeting of Families was ever held - by Saint John Paul II and canonized in 2004. Saint Gianna is the Patron Saint for mothers, physicians and unborn children.

"Saint John Paul II and Saint Gianna have been chosen as the two worthy Patron Saints to guide all in preparation and participation of this international event as they fully embody the history, mission and theme of the World Meeting of Families 2015," said Archbishop Chaput. "Saints John Paul II and Gianna had a deep and abiding commitment to strengthening the family and sustaining it with love. This historic event will give thousands from around the globe the opportunity to share in the same commitment of our Patron Saints."

To commemorate the announcement, Archbishop Chaput concluded Mass with a blessing of the Relic of Pope Saint John Paul II asking for his heavenly intercession. The Relic is the Holy Father's blood, which remains in a liquid state. The Knights of Columbus have been entrusted with this Relic to foster devotion to Pope Saint John Paul II.

About World Meetings of Families
Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.

###

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Communications Director
215-587-3747

Statement Regarding The Attendance Of Pope Francis At The World Meeting Of Families-philadelphia 2015

July 25, 2014

STATEMENT REGARDING THE ATTENDANCE
OF POPE FRANCIS AT THE WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES-PHILADELPHIA 2015



There has been no official confirmation by the Vatican or The Holy See of Pope Francis' attendance at the 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. We still expect that any official confirmation will come approximately six months prior to the event.

Archbishop Chaput has frequently shared his confidence in Pope Francis' attendance at the World Meeting and his personal conversations with the Holy Father are the foundation for that confidence. We are further heartened and excited by the comments of the Vatican Press Office regarding Pope Francis' "willingness to participate in the World Meeting of Families." While Archbishop Chaput's comments do not serve as official confirmation, they do serve to bolster our sincere hope that Philadelphia will welcome Pope Francis next September.

# # #

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Leadership Appointments At Saints John Neumann And Maria Goretti Catholic High School Mr. Bruce Robinson Named President; Mr. John Murawski Named Executive Director Of Alumni Relations

July 28, 2014

LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS AT SAINTS JOHN NEUMANN AND MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
MR. BRUCE ROBINSON NAMED PRESIDENT; MR. JOHN MURAWSKI NAMED
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS




The Office of Catholic Education (OCE) and Faith in the Future are pleased to announce the appointments of Mr. Bruce Robinson as President and Mr. John Murawski as Executive Director of Alumni Relations of Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School. Both appointments became effective July 1st.

Mr. Christopher Mominey, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary for Catholic Education said, "These appointments come at a pivotal time for the Neumann-Goretti school community and Catholic secondary education in South Philadelphia. Bruce is a proven leader with a great track record of success. We believe he will be an asset to Neumann-Goretti as we build a strategy for growth and innovation in the years to come. John is a natural fit for the newly created and unique position of Executive Director of Alumni Relations. He is eager to take on the responsibility with great zeal."

Mr. Robinson joins Neumann-Goretti after extensive work as a business executive. For the last two years he was Chief Executive Officer and President of Golfview Advisors LLC in Ardmore (Delaware County), where he provided financial and operating consulting services for real estate and business investment funds. Prior to his position with Golfview he was the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Balfour Beatty Capital Group in Newtown Square (Delaware County). Mr. Robinson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and a Master of Science Degree in Taxation both from Drexel University.
Mr. Murawski has led the Neumann-Goretti school community for the last five years as president. He is a graduate of Saint John Neumann High School for Boys, Class of 1996. In his new role as Executive Director of Alumni Relations he will utilize his intimate knowledge of the community as a former graduate to provide needed outreach to fellow alumni and business leaders in support of the students and school.


# # #


Editor's Notes: For information about Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit www.catholicschools-phl.org. For information about Faith in the Future, please visit www.faithinthefuture.com.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Father Joseph Bongard Named President Of Roman Catholic High School For Boys

July 30, 2014

FATHER JOSEPH BONGARD NAMED PRESIDENT OF
ROMAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOR BOYS




The Office of Catholic Education (OCE) and Faith in the Future are pleased to announce the appointment of Father Joseph Bongard as President and Rector of Roman Catholic High School For Boys, effective August 1st.

Father Bongard has been the Vice Rector at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood (Montgomery County) since 2010. Today's announcement follows the June 2nd appointment of Roman's former President and Rector Father John B. Flanagan as Pastor of Saint Madeline Parish, Ridley Park (Delaware County).

Mr. Christopher Mominey, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary for Catholic Education said, "Father Bongard is a veteran educator and administrator who has given years of dedicated service to educating students in secondary schools throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He knows the Roman Catholic High School community well. He is both a proud graduate and a former Rector of the school. Father Bongard is an obvious choice to lead the young men of Roman Catholic High School for Boys both spiritually and academically into a new chapter of an already rich history of Catholic education in Philadelphia."

Father Bongard is a graduate of Roman Catholic High School's Class of 1977. He also served from 2006-2010 as Rector of the school. Father Bongard holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Marketing from Temple University, a Master of Arts Degree in Theology and a Master of Divinity Degree both from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and a Master of Education Degree in Educational Leadership from Villanova University.

In addition to his time at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and Roman Catholic High School for Boys, Father Bongard also served in various roles at several other Archdiocesan high schools including: School Minister and Athletic Director at the former Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic High School (Montgomery County), Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs at the former Cardinal Dougherty High School (Philadelphia); President and Principal of the former Saint Pius X High School (Montgomery County).

# # #


Editor's Notes: For information about Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit www.catholicschools-phl.org. For information about Faith in the Future, please visit www.faithinthefuture.com.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Hosts Second Annual Seminary Gala

July 30, 2014

SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY HOSTS
SECOND ANNUAL SEMINARY GALA



The Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary will host their second annual gala fundraiser featuring an elegant reception followed by a concert featuring the La Diva Tenors. All proceeds will directly benefit the Seminary in forming priests as servant leaders for the Catholic Church.

Saturday, October 4, 2014
6:30 p.m. (Cocktail Reception)
8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (Concert)

Sunday, October 5, 2014
4:30 p.m. (Cocktail Reception)
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Concert)

Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
Saint Martin of Tours Chapel
100 E. Wynnewood Road
Wynnewood, PA 19096


General admission tickets are $200 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are available as well as advertising space in the program book. Complimentary off-site parking at Saint Joseph's University including a courtesy shuttle will operate before and after the concert between the parking lot and the Seminary.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information on purchasing tickets or sponsorships, please visit http://stcharlesborromeoseminarygala.com/.

Founded in 1832, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary has been forming young men for priestly service to the community for over 180 years. This year 133 young men have answered God's call to come to our Seminary to be formed after the heart of Jesus Christ. With your help, these young seminarians will be our compassionate and loyal priests and inspiring and effective leaders of our tomorrow's Church.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Deacon Paul Mcblain Elected President-elect Of The National Diaconate Institute For Continuing Education

July 30, 2014

DEACON PAUL MCBLAIN ELECTED PRESIDENT-ELECT
OF THE NATIONAL DIACONATE INSTITUTE
FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION




The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is pleased to announce the election of Deacon Paul McBlain to the office of President-Elect of the National Diaconate Institute for Continuing Education, a national center for continuing education and spiritual formation of deacons and their spouses. The office of President-Elect encompasses two years of service, followed by an immediate ascendance to the office of President for a period of two years.

Deacon McBlain was ordained June 10, 2001 and assigned to Saint Joseph Parish in Collingdale (Delaware County). In 2003, he was named Chairman of the Ongoing Formation Committee for Permanent Deacons. In 2008, he became the Associate to the Director of the Office for Permanent Deacons.

Last year, Deacon McBlain celebrated 50 years of marriage to his wife, Helen. They are the parents of seven children, twenty-one grandchildren and one great grandchild. A graduate of Villanova University and West Philadelphia High School for Boys, the deacon and his wife are members of Saint Joseph Parish in Collingdale.

# # #


Editor's Note: Founded in 1974, the National Diaconate Institute for Continuing Education (NDICE) hosts the longest continuous U.S. education conference for those in diaconate ministry. The purpose of NDICE is to build up the community of deacons so that they may realize their full potential in Jesus Christ and the Church. For further information on NDICE, please visit http://ndice.net/.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Announces Closure Of Worship Site In West Philadelphia Our Lady Of The Blessed Sacrament Church Will No Longer Serve As A Worship Site Of Saint Cyprian Parish And Close As A Roman Catholic Church

August 3, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF
WORSHIP SITE IN WEST PHILADELPHIA

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church will no longer serve as a worship site of Saint
Cyprian Parish and close as a Roman Catholic Church



Contextual Background
In January 2013, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish merged with Saint Cyprian Parish, both located in West Philadelphia's Haddington-Carroll Park neighborhood, as part of the Parish Area Pastoral Planning Initiative that has been ongoing in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Both parishes merged at the location and retained the name of Saint Cyprian Parish.

At that time, the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church building became a worship site of the newly formed Saint Cyprian Parish and was available for the occasional celebration of Mass as well as funerals, weddings and baptisms as is customary whenever possible in the case of a parish merger.

Additional information regarding that merger can be found at the following link: http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr002099.php.

Today's Announcement
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced today that Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. relegated the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church building to profane but not sordid use effective August 1, 2014. This formal, canonical designation means that the church will no longer serve as a worship site of Saint Cyprian parish and close as a Roman Catholic church.

This information was shared with Saint Cyprian parishioners prior to the August 1st effective date of the relegation. A copy of the official canonical decree regarding this matter can be found at http://archphila.org/conversion/canonical/LadyBlSacRelegation.pdf.

Further Information Regarding Today's Announcement
The formal request to close the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament worship site originated from Saint Cyprian Parish's pastor together with his parish pastoral and finance councils. This request was then reviewed by the Archdiocesan Council of Priests and presented to Archbishop Chaput, who, after a careful review of all supporting factors, made the final decision.

Those factors included, but were not limited to, lack of parish funding to maintain the church building, ongoing maintenance costs and the deteriorated condition of the building. Saint Cyprian Parish spent approximately $35,000 over the past year on upkeep of the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament worship site and those costs were projected to rise prohibitively over the course of time. Such continued expenditures would have forced staffing cuts at Saint Cyprian Parish and jeopardized the stability of vital ministerial programs such as outreach to the poor.

Future Use of the Former Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church Building
When Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament and Saint Cyprian Parishes merged, all real estate holdings, assets and debts of the former Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish were transferred to the newly formed Saint Cyprian Parish. These transfers are part of standard procedure in the case of all parish mergers.

As such, the former Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament church building is the property of Saint Cyprian Parish. The future disposition of this building will be determined by the pastor of Saint Cyprian Parish in consultation with his parish pastoral and finance councils in a manner consistent with providing for continued parish viability and sustainability.

# # #


Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Secretariat For Catholic Human Services Releases 2013 Annual Reports

August 4, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA SECRETARIAT FOR CATHOLIC HUMAN SERVICES RELEASES
2013 ANNUAL REPORTS



The Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Secretariat for Catholic Human Services recently released the 2013 Annual Report for its three divisions. Together they showcase the positive impact on a quarter of a million men, women and children throughout Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.

"One of the best parts of my job is the opportunity to 'go out on the road' to visit our Catholic Social Services sites and programs throughout the region," said Joseph J. Sweeney, Jr., Secretary for Catholic Human Services. "What I find in my site visits are dedicated staff and volunteers following in the footsteps of Jesus, offering round the clock care for thousands of the most vulnerable men, women and children in our region. For over 200 years we have been instruments of God's mercy in the world, serving people of all faiths with compassion and dignity. We do so much good for so many people, enabling those we serve to not just survive, but also to thrive and prosper."

While not all-inclusive, a snapshot of the works performed by Catholic Human Services is provided is outlined below.


Catholic Social Services (CSS)
CSS programs and services provide a social safety net for men, woman and children across the Archdiocese. Clients of CSS are from all socioeconomic and religious backgrounds who seek help for a variety of personal and social issues.

- In 2013, 163,316 persons benefitted from the programs of CSS, including the homeless and hungry, developmentally disabled, at-risk children and youth, and vulnerable elderly.
- Nightly, over 1,000 beds provided persons with disabilities, the homeless and at-risk youth with a safe and stable place to stay.
- Daily, 350 at-risk youth attended academic day programs. 600 individuals with intellectual disabilities attended day programs. 500 senior citizens visited senior centers, which include meals and social activities.

Nutritional Development Services (NDS)
NDS provides food assistance primarily to children and others in the community through various governmental and nongovernmental programs.

- In 2013, 9,662,156 meals were provided to thousands of needy through lunches, afterschool programs, childcare centers, and community food cupboards.
- More than 6,500 donors raised more than $450,000 for the Community Food Program through the efforts of the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia.
- During the school year 3.3 million meals were served, with an average of 29,838 breakfasts and lunches served each day at 111 school buildings. As an extension of the school year, NDS worked with 440 sites and provided over 820,749 meals in the summer.

Office for Community Development (OCD)
OCD primarily partners with community, government, parishes and other faith-based organizations to build more stable communities in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

- In 2013, OCD positively improved the lives of over 10,000 individuals through neighborhood revitalization and affordable senior housing projects in Philadelphia.
- The St. Francis Villa development project was selected by the state to receive a $10 million tax credit to create 40-units of affordable senior housing in the East Kensington area of Philadelphia.

Catholic Human Services relies on the continued support of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the essential collaboration of its government and community partners, the generous support of its benefactors and the highly skilled employees and dedicated volunteers that make it possible to reach and serve the most vulnerable members our the community.

###


Editor's Note: For more information on Catholic Social Services visit http://cssphiladelphia.org/.

For more information on Nutritional Development Services visit http://nutritionaldevelopmentservices.org/.

For more information on the Office for Community Development visit http://www.officeforcommunitydevelopment.org/.

Contact
Annie Korp
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

Confirmation Schedule - Fall 2014 (date Subject To Change)

August 5, 2014

Confirmation Schedule - Fall 2014
(Date subject to change)



CELEBRANT: ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT, O.F.M. CAP.
Sunday, November 30 at 10:30 a.m., Saint Andrew, Philadelphia
Tuesday, December 9 at 6 p.m., Saint Aloysius, Pottstown
Sunday, December 14 at 11:30 a.m., Immaculate Heart of Mary, Philadelphia
Saturday, December 20 at 10 a.m., Saint Francis de Sales, Lenni

CELEBRANT: MOST REVEREND DANIEL E. THOMAS
Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia

Saturday, October 4 at 10 a.m., & 2 p.m., Saint Jude, Chalfont

CELEBRANT: MOST REVEREND TIMOTHY C. SENIOR
Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia

Sunday, October 19 at 12 Noon Saint Mary of the Assumption, Phoenixville
Thursday, October 30 at 4 p.m., Corpus Christi, Lansdale
Saturday, November 8 at 10 a.m., Saint Isidore, Quakertown
Saturday, November 22 at 10 a.m., Saint Luke the Evangelist, Glenside
Thursday, December 4 at 5 p.m., Christ the King, Philadelphia
Saturday, December 6 at 10 a.m., Saint Mary Magdalen, Media
Saturday, December 13 at 11 a.m., Saint Martin of Tours, New Hope

CELEBRANT: MOST REVEREND JOHN J. MCINTYRE
Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia

Saturday, October 25 at 10:30 a.m., Holy Martyrs, Oreland
Monday, October 27 at 4 p.m., St. Kevin, Springfield
Thursday, October 30 at 4 p.m., Saint Dorothy, Drexel Hill
Monday, November 3 at 4 p.m., Presentation B.V.M., Cheltenham
Thursday, November 6 at 4 p.m., Assumption B.V.M., West Grove
Saturday, November 8 at 9 a.m., & 12 Noon St. Ann, Phoenixville
Saturday, November 15 at 10 a.m., & 2 p.m., Saint Patrick, Malvern
Saturday, November 22 at 10:30 a.m., & 1:30 p.m., St. Anastasia, Newtown Square
Sunday, November 23 at 11:30 a.m., St. Michael, Philadelphia
Saturday, December 6 at 5 p.m., St. Raymond of Penafort, Philadelphia

CELEBRANT: MOST REVEREND MICHAEL J. FITZGERALD
Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia

Sunday, October 5 at 10 a.m., Old St Mary's Church, Philadelphia
Thursday, October 9 at 4 p.m., St. Bernard Parish, Philadelphia
Tuesday, October 28 at 4 p.m., St. Margaret, Narberth
Saturday, November 1 at 10 a.m., & 1:30 p.m., Our Lady of Calvary Parish, Philadelphia
Tuesday, November 4 at 4 p.m., Holy Trinity Parish, Morrisville
Saturday, November 8 at 10 a.m., & 1 p.m., Sacred Heart Parish, Oxford
Sunday, November 9 at 12 Noon St. Philomena Parish, Lansdowne
Sunday, November 16 at 3 p.m., St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Richboro
Thursday, November 20 at 4 p.m., Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Morton
Sunday, November 23 at 10 a.m., St. Barbara Parish, Philadelphia
Tuesday, November 25 at 6:30 PM. Our Lady of Charity, Brookhaven
Sunday, November 30 at 11 a.m., Holy Family Parish, Philadelphia

CELEBRANT: MOST REVEREND ROBERT P. MAGINNIS
Retired Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia

Sunday, October 19 at 12 Noon Saint Martha, Philadelphia
Saturday, October 25 at 4 p.m., Saint Bartholomew, Philadelphia
Saturday, November 8 at 11 a.m., Our Lady of Grace, Penndel
Tuesday, November 11 at 4 p.m., Saint Rose of Lima, Eddystone
Thursday, November 13 at 4 p.m., Our Lady of Fatima, Secane
Saturday, November 15 at 10 a.m., Saint Madeline, Ridley Park
Sunday, November 16 at 11:30 a.m., Our Lady of Peace, Milmont Park

CELEBRANT: MOST REVEREND JOSEPH F. MARTINO
Retired Bishop of Scranton

Thursday, October 16 at 4 p.m., Saint Anselm, Philadelphia
Tuesday, November 4 at 4 p.m., Nativity BVM, Philadelphia w/Our Lady Help of Christians, Philadelphia
Wednesday, November 5 at 4 p.m., Saint Michael, Levittown
Thursday, November 6 at 4 p.m., Saint Adalbert, Philadelphia
Thursday, November 13 at 4 p.m., Saint Ephrem, Bensalem
Sunday, November 16 at 2 p.m., Saint Catherine of Siena, Horsham
Wednesday, November 19 at 4 p.m., Saint Dominic, Philadelphia
Thursday, November 20 at 4 p.m., Saint Anthony of Padua, Ambler
Wednesday, December 3 at 4 p.m., Saint Alphonsus, Maple Glen
Saturday, December 6 at 10 a.m., Immaculate Conception BVM, Jenkintown
Wednesday, December 10 at 4 p.m., Saint John Bosco, Hatboro

CELEBRANT: REVEREND MONSIGNOR MICHAEL T. McCULKEN
Wednesday, December 3 at 4 p.m., Saint Gabriel, Norwood

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput Invites All Parishes To Participate In Day Of Prayer For Iraq In Response To Call From Pope Francis

August 11, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT INVITES ALL PARISHES TO PARTICIPATE IN DAY OF PRAYER FOR IRAQ
IN RESPONSE TO CALL FROM POPE FRANCIS



Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. has invited all 219 parishes in the five-county Archdiocese of Philadelphia to participate in a Day of Prayer for Iraq on Sunday, August 17th.

This initiative is part of a national effort being led by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It follows the call of Pope Francis for the Universal Church to join in prayerful solidarity for an immediate end to the violence and destruction in Iraq along with the merciless persecution being directed at Christians.

Next Sunday, a Holy Hour will take place in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to pray especially for the intention of peace in Iraq.

Sunday, August 17, 2014
5:30 p.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103


Archbishop Chaput has asked that prayerful remembrance of the devastating plight of Christians in Iraq be encouraged whenever Catholics gather for celebration of the Sacred Liturgy and for devotional prayer, especially in adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament and while praying the Holy Rosary.

# # #


Editor's Note: For additional information on Day of Prayer for Iraq in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit http://archphila.org/pdfs/DayofPrayerforIraq%208-17-14.pdf. For further information on national efforts related to the Day of Prayer for Iraq being coordinated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, please visit http://www.usccb.org/news/2014/14-138.cfm.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: Buy This Book, See This Movie, Pray For These Fellow Christians

August 14, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
BUY THIS BOOK. SEE THIS MOVIE.
PRAY FOR THESE FELLOW CHRISTIANS.




With summer drawing to a close and a new school year just around the corner, it's a good time to resume this column. And this week, three important matters deserve our attention and our action.

First, with the World Meeting of Families and a likely papal visit only 13 months away, Our Sunday Visitor Publishing has just released the official "preparatory catechesis" for the 2015 Philadelphia event. A copy of Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive will be sent, free of charge, to every pastor, school principal and parish director of religious education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. But it deserves a much wider audience.

Beautifully produced, very readable and rich in its presentation of Catholic teaching about marriage and the family, this is the sort of resource every adult Christian will find valuable. It's a great tool for preparing individuals, study groups and Catholic homes for the World Meeting of Families. Best of all, the cost is very modest thanks to the generous underwriting of production expenses by Our Sunday Visitor Institute.

Printed copies are available for purchase in English now; Spanish copies will be available in several weeks. Amazon will also have Kindle versions of the catechesis for sale before the end of August.

Copies of Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive may be purchased at the Our Sunday Visitor website for $9.95, with discounts for larger orders. It's well worth the cost. Over the coming weeks, OSV will be offering a wide range of additional devotional aids to help Catholics ready themselves for next year's Philadelphia event.

Note too that a parish preparation packet along with two sets of excellent lesson plans for Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive -- one for grades preK-8 and the other for grades 9-12 -- are also available now for download, free, at worldmeeting2015.org under "parish involvement."

Second, one of the most popular youth and young adult novels of the past 20 years -- Lois Lowry's Newberry Award-winning The Giver -- comes to movie screens tomorrow, August 15, thanks to Walden Media. Walden is the same family-friendly production and distribution company that released The Chronicles of Narnia films. Lowry's book has sold more than 10 million copies.

Some parents have found the novel too troubling or controversial for young children because of its subject matter. The story portrays a tightly controlled society of the future that runs on "Sameness," where memories and strong emotions are discouraged, conscience is virtually unknown, and defective infants, the elderly and dissenters are methodically sent to "Elsewhere" -- in other words, killed. One young man, chosen by the community to train as its "Receiver of Memories," is repelled by the secrets at the heart of the utopia. He sets in motion an awakening the human spirit.

This is a wonderful film. Nothing in the movie version of The Giver will offend a family. Just the opposite. It's an intelligent, absorbing, beautifully crafted film everyone should see. This is a major production of a great story, well above standard "family" fare in quality, rendered by an excellent cast -- Meryl Streep, Jeff Bridges, Katie Holmes, Taylor Swift and others. It shouldn't be missed.

Third and finally, across the archdiocese this weekend, on August 17, we'll be offering prayers for the many tens of thousands of our fellow Christians suffering under Islamic extremism in Iraq and Syria. As Pope Benedict said several years ago and Pope Francis has stressed increasingly in recent months, Christians are now the most persecuted religious community in the world. Western news media have too often distinguished themselves by their ignorance and indifference in covering this terrible issue. Meanwhile a murderous "Caliphate" conducts a campaign of killing, abduction and slavery against one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, many of whose people are fellow Catholics.

Please pray for the suffering Christians of the Middle East. And then contact your federal elected officials to press this administration to act vigorously, in every way possible, to defend Iraqi and Syrian Christians from the campaign of violence against them.

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Pope Francis Names Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas As Bishop Of Toledo Bishop Thomas Has Served As An Auxiliary Bishop Of Philadelphia Since 2006; He Will Become The Spiritual Leader Of Over 320,000 Catholics From19 Counties In Northwestern Ohio

August 26, 2014

POPE FRANCIS NAMES MOST REVEREND DANIEL E. THOMAS
AS BISHOP OF TOLEDO

Bishop Thomas has served as an auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia since 2006; he will become the
spiritual leader of over 320,000 Catholics from19 counties in northwestern Ohio


Today, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. is pleased to share that Pope Francis has named Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas, currently an Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, as the Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo (www.toledodiocese.org). Founded in 1910, the Diocese of Toledo is home to over 320,000 Catholics from19 counties in northwestern Ohio.

Biographical Information on Bishop Thomas:
Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, 55, is one of two children born to the late Anna M. (Weber) Thomas and the late Francis P. Thomas, Jr., in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Holy Family Parish Elementary School and Roman Catholic High School for Boys. Following graduation from high school, he enrolled at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood (Montgomery County). There he earned Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts Degrees. He was ordained to the Priesthood by John Cardinal Krol in 1985 and served as parochial vicar at Saint Joseph Parish in Aston (Delaware County) 1985-1987. Then-Father Thomas studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome 1987-1989, earning an S.T.L. in Dogmatic Theology. He served as an official in the Congregation for Bishops at the Vatican and an Adjunct Spiritual Director at the North American College in Rome 1990-2005.

Saint Pope John Paul II named then-Father Thomas a Chaplain to His Holiness, which came with the tile of Monsignor, in 1995 and a Prelate of Honor in 2005. He returned home to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to become Pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Strafford (Chester County) 2005-2006. In 2006, then-Monsignor Thomas was ordained a bishop by Cardinal Justin Rigali. Since that time he has assisted both Cardinal Rigali and Archbishop Chaput with the pastoral and administrative care of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Comments from Archbishop Chaput and Bishop Thomas Regarding the Appointment:
Archbishop Chaput said, "The appointment being announced today demonstrates the confidence our Holy Father has in Bishop Thomas' pastoral and administrative skills. I have worked with him closely since my arrival in Philadelphia nearly three years ago and have witnessed his wisdom, intelligence, personal warmth and keen affection for the people of God. The Diocese of Toledo has been given a true gift in Bishop Thomas. I know he will serve them joyfully as a faithful shepherd and spiritual father. I ask that all priests, deacons, religious and laity of the Archdiocese join me in extending congratulations and prayerful best wishes as he prepares to accept this assignment."

Bishop Thomas is in Toledo today to hold a news conference regarding his appointment. He will be installed as the bishop of that diocese on Wednesday, October 22nd in Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral in Toledo. In his remarks, Bishop Thomas said, "I express my profound gratitude to Pope Francis for his confidence and trust in appointing me the shepherd of the Lord's flock here in northwest Ohio. Aware that I am not worthy of the Office, I trust in God's Holy Will. It is my sincere prayer that I may be a faithful, humble, holy and ardent bishop for Toledo, and that I may spend myself for love of souls in teaching, governing and sanctifying in the name of Jesus for the sake of His Church."

Additional Information on Bishop Thomas:
Bishop Thomas is a member of the Archdiocesan Council of Priests, the Archdiocesan College of Consultors and the Archdiocesan Priest Personnel Board. He is the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and a member of the Seminary's Admissions Board for the Diocesan Priesthood.

In the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Bishop Thomas serves as a member of the following: The Ad Hoc Committee on Catechism; the Committee for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations; the Task Force Commission on Certification and Accreditation; and the Committee on Divine Worship.

Bishop Thomas also serves as a member of the Episcopal Advisory Boards for both the Catholic Leadership Institute and the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors and as a member of the National Advisory Council for the Saint John Vianney Center.

###




Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: A Lesson In Priorities

August 28, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
A LESSON IN PRIORITIES




Two items are worth noting this week. Together, they're a lesson in priorities.

Here's the first item. A doctor friend quipped recently that America is becoming a country where it's easier to opt out of the Pledge of Allegiance than to avoid the HHS mandate. Expressions of national loyalty may be optional, she said. Paying for everybody's birth control is not.

My friend overstates her case - but not by very much. For the past two years the current administration has refused any real compromise on a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate that forces most employer health plans to cover contraceptive and abortifacient services. This, in a nation where free or low cost birth control is already widely available. This, in a country where Planned Parenthood already receives hundreds of millions of federal dollars every year.

The U.S. Catholic bishops, along with many other religious and secular entities, have fought the mandate for good reason. It's coercive, unnecessary and miserly in its lack of protections for religious and moral belief. Many Catholic-related ministries and organizations will be forced - directly, or indirectly through a process of verbal and legal gymnastics - to collude in services that violate their religious convictions. To no one's surprise, more than 100 lawsuits are now pending against the mandate's application.

In response, every HHS adjustment to the mandate has so far been minimal; empty of any robust sense of religious freedom. The latest government "accommodation" - issued on August 22 - is just as inadequate as all the others. Both the U.S. bishops and organizations like the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty have already voiced their frustration.

Our current leadership is, however, consistent. Its disinterest in religious liberty concerns here at home seems replicated in its foreign policy. And that brings us to my second item.

The 1998 law that established the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom made the United States unique among major nations in ranking freedom of belief among its top foreign policy goals. But in recent years, Washington's interest in protecting and expanding the rights of religious minorities abroad has been tepid -- or worse. The gruesome murder of journalist James Foley by Islamic extremists this August riveted the attention of the world. But this kind of barbarism isn't new.

Violence against Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East has been escalating for years, from beatings and extortion, to bombed churches, to the abduction and forced conversion of young Christian women, to the murder of Christian clergy and lay leaders. Ethnic cleansing in the Balkans drew world action behind American leadership. The extermination of religious minorities in the Middle East - what Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan calls "attempted genocide" -- has so far drawn a very different response.

How should we as Catholics respond? We can start by realizing that a discomfort about dealing with religious liberty issues abroad has been part of the culture of America's foreign policy bureaucracy for a long time, despite the 1998 law. Our current national leadership has simply made it worse. As much as we love our country -- and Catholics have proven that love again and again in public service and in combat -- our primary loyalty as Catholics is to Jesus Christ, to the Church as our community of faith and to our fellow Christians. They come first; and if in our hearts we don't place them first, then we need to take a hard look at what we mean when we say we're "Catholic."

In that regard, the HHS mandate dispute does have one good effect. It helps us see just how eager some of us are to find a way to avoid conflict, to get along, to compromise our convictions. Few of us want to think too deeply about how and why the mandate fight happened in the first place, or where it's likely to lead. It's easier to blame the Church for being stubborn or conducting a phony "war on women."

Meanwhile, fellow believers are being murdered overseas simply for being Christian. There's something wrong with us -- not just wrong with our Catholic faith, but wrong with our humanity -- if that doesn't leave us appalled . . . and also more alert to the changing climate of our own country. Here in America, nobody's painting "N" for Nazarene on Christian houses; in fact, even mentioning the idea sounds outlandish and melodramatic. But not if you're in Mosul. In the so-called "Caliphate," an "N" on your home means convert, leave or die. And again, this sort of extremist savagery isn't new. It's simply more obvious and widespread.

Here at home, the HHS mandate fight will now be decided in the courts. But in the long run, as a nation, we'll get the measure of religious liberty we deserve based on the kind of people we elect to federal office -- something we need to remember in an election year. And as for Christians suffering in the Middle East, we need to see them as members of our own family whose witness humbles and demands solidarity from us all. We need to pray for them zealously and constantly. But our sympathy and concern aren't enough. We urgently need to build on our prayers with our actions - and our financial support.

NOTE: A special voluntary collection will be taken up in parishes of the archdiocese on the weekend of September 20-21. Donated funds will be used to assist suffering Christians in the Middle East. Given the many demands already faced by parishes, some may be unable to participate. Individuals may therefore contribute directly; see http://emergencies.crs.org/iraq-crs-response-strategy-during-displacement-crisis/

###


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Student Athletes From Eight Archdiocesan High Schools Assist University Of Notre Dame Concussion App Research

August 29, 2014

STUDENT ATHLETES FROM EIGHT ARCHDIOCESAN HIGH SCHOOLS
ASSIST UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME CONCUSSION APP RESEARCH



Student athletes and trainers from eight Archdiocesan high schools are completing a week long program with researchers from the University of Notre Dame who are developing voice analysis software that will assist doctors and athletic trainers in recognizing concussions.

Friday, August 29, 2014
12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Bishop Shanahan High School (Gymnasium)
220 Woodbine Road
Downingtown, PA 19335 (Chester County)


The eight schools participating in this program from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia include: Father Judge High School for Boys, Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls, Bishop Shanahan High School (Chester County), Archbishop Wood High School (Bucks County), West Catholic Preparatory High School, Lansdale Catholic High School (Montgomery County), Archbishop John Carroll High School (Delaware County) and Roman Catholic High School for Boys.

During the program students will participate in testing by completing a series of verbal and cognitive directives. Their results will serve as a baseline for researchers. If a student participating in the study is suspected of sustaining a concussion they will repeat the same tests, and the results will be compared to their original baseline.


# # #


Editor's Note: For more information on Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia please visit http://www.catholicschools-phl.org.

Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput Calls For Parishes To Join In National Effort Supporting Victims Of Religious Persecution And Violence In The Middle East

September 2, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT CALLS FOR PARISHES TO JOIN IN
NATIONAL EFFORT SUPPORTING VICTIMS OF RELIGIOUS
PERSECUTION AND VIOLENCE IN THE MIDDLE EAST



Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. has asked that all 219 parishes in the five-county Archdiocese of Philadelphia consider taking part in a national initiative spearheaded by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop (USCCB) to support victims of religious persecution and terroristic violence in the Middle East.

"Christians are among the most persecuted religious communities in the world, and the brutal violence directed at Christians in the Middle East continues to be of grave concern for all people of good will," said Archbishop Chaput. "This special collection will provide much needed support of our fellow Christians suffering greatly at the hands of brutal extremists in Iraq and Syria."

Voluntary, special collections may be taken up in parishes at Masses during the weekends of September 6-7 and September 20-21. Funds will be remitted directly to Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to assist their efforts in providing urgent humanitarian needs and pastoral support to those suffering religious persecution and violence in the Middle East. Alternately, individuals may contribute direct to Catholic Relief Services by visiting http://emergencies.crs.org/iraq-crs-response-strategy-during-displacement-crisis/.

# # #


Editor's Note: CRS is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic Church in the United States. For information on CRS please visit www.crs.org.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Students Go Back To School For 2014-2015 Academic Year

September 3, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA STUDENTS
GO BACK TO SCHOOL FOR 2014-2015 ACADEMIC YEAR




The 2014-2015 school year begins on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 for students who attend the 122 elementary schools, 17 high schools and four schools of special education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

This academic year marks the first anniversary of the hiring of Mr. Christopher Mominey as Chief Operating Officer and Secretary of Catholic Education for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Mr. Mominey said, "I'm thrilled to be celebrating my first full year in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as Secretary for Catholic Education. At the start of this school year I especially want our teachers in all schools, no matter what level they teach, to know that their ministry is so critically important to the future of our Church. They are the ones who are equipping saints for life in this world and the next. As Philadelphia prepares to take center stage next year during the 2015 World Meeting of Families, I have no doubt that people will see our work, our mission and our ministry in Catholic education continue to grow and thrive well into the future."

You can view Mr. Mominey's welcome back to school video message at the following link: http://youtu.be/I2SWFKTuP3U.

Back-to-School Events in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia


Several back-to-school events at schools in the five-county Archdiocese are planned including:

Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at 6:00 p.m.
Annual Prayer Convocation at Our Mother of Consolation Parish School
Our Mother of Consolation Church, 9 East Chestnut Hill Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118

Our Mother of Consolation Parish School will hold its annual Prayer Convocation with over 200 students, families and staff expected in the parish church on the eve of the first day of school. This annual gathering was created by Our Mother of Consolations' Spirituality Committee. Reverend Robert L. Bazzoli, O.S.F.S., pastor of Our Mother of Consolation will lead the school community in prayer. Following the prayer convocation, ice cream will be served in the front school yard, which is currently under renovation for the school's youngest students and will include a prayer garden, large playground and stepping stones made from reclaimed wood.

Our Mother of Consolation Parish School, founded in 1862, promotes spiritual and academic growth in a vibrant Catholic Christian Environment.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at 9:30 a.m.
Opening School Mass honoring the Blessed Mother at Mater Dei Catholic School
Saint Stanislaus Church, 51 Lansdale Avenue, Lansdale, PA 19446 (Montgomery County)

Students in kindergarten through eighth grades at Mater Dei Catholic School will participate in an Opening Prayer Service honoring Mary, the Blessed Mother and following this year's school theme, "Blessed and Amazed with Mary as Our Inspiration." Several students will dress in costume to depict stories from the bible highlighting Mary's appearances. Monsignor Joseph Tracy, Pastor of Saint Stanislaus Parish; Monsignor James Graham, Pastor of Saint Rose of Lima Parish and Reverend Andrew Brownholtz, Pastor of Saint Maria Goretti Parish will preside.

The 2014-2015 school year marks Mater Dei Catholic School's third year as a regional school formed by the merger of Saint Stanislaus School in Lansdale, Saint Rose of Lima School in North Wales, and Saint Maria Goretti School in Hatfield (Montgomery County) in 2012.

Monday, September 8, 2014: at 8:05 a.m.
Faculty Prayer Service and Office Blessing
Saints Simon and Jude Parish School, 6 Cavanaugh Court, West Chester, PA 19382 (Chester County)

Approximately 35 faculty and staff members of Saints Simon and Jude Parish School will participate in a prayer service and office blessing by Reverend Michael J. Gerlach, Pastor of Saints Simon and Jude Parish. Renovations on a new main office were completed on July 30th. The main office is now located at the entrance of the school.

Saints Simon and Jude Parish School, located in Westtown Township, opened in 1962.

Thursday, September 11, 2014 at 9:20 a.m.
Opening School Liturgy, Honoring of Football Coach Dan Algeo and Aerial Football Field Message
Cardinal O'Hara High School, 1701 South Sproul Road, Springfield, PA 19064 (Delaware County)

Cardinal O'Hara High School will hold an Opening School Liturgy. During the liturgy the school will honor deceased faculty member and head football Coach, Dan Algeo. Mr. Algeo died suddenly at the age of 49 in July. Immediately following the liturgy the entire O'Hara student body, faculty and staff will gather at the football field for an aerial photo where they will spell out this year's school slogan, "All In." Dr. Carol Cary, Superintendent for Secondary Schools will represent the Office of Catholic Education at the opening liturgy.

Cardinal O'Hara High School was founded in 1963 and is a Catholic, co-educational high school rooted in Gospel values, and committed to developing productive and moral young men and women.

Thursday, September 11, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
Unveiling and Blessing of New Pre-K2 Classroom During Back to School Night
Saint Michael the Archangel Parish School, 130 Levittown Parkway, Levittown, PA 19054 (Bucks County)

Saint Michael the Archangel will unveil to school families a new Pre-K second classroom, which opens for the 2014-2015 school year. The new classroom was made possible in part by a $5,000 grant from the Office of Catholic Education to Saint Michael the Archangel Parish School. A ribbon cutting ceremony and blessing by Reverend Michael DiIorio, Pastor of Saint Michael the Archangel will take place during "Back to School Night" festivities.

Saint Michael the Archangel Parish School opened in 1954.

Friday, September 12, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.
Opening of School Mass
Saint Andrew Church, 3500 School Lane, Drexel Hill, PA 19026 (Delaware County)

Saint Andrew Parish School will hold an opening Mass to mark the beginning of the academic year. Monsignor Albin Grous, Pastor of Saint Andrew Parish will be the celebrant and homilist. Students in eighth grade serve as lectors for the First Reading and the Prayer of the Faithful during Mass. Students in various grades also serve as leaders of song and present the gifts. This year Saint Andrew Parish School will welcome 84 new students.

Saint Andrew Parish School opened in 1922.

Recent Announcements Regarding Catholic Education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia


Archdiocesan Class of 2014 Earns a Record $320 Million in College Scholarships:
3,629 young men and women who graduated from the 17 high schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in June earned a grand total of $320,573,955 in scholarships. This scholarship total, which includes both academic and athletic scholarships, is the largest in Archdiocesan history. 91% of the Class of 2014 have pursued a post-secondary education. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia also had a high school graduation rate of 99% in 2014.

Among the scholarship winners were three Gates Millennium Scholars, Ana DeJesus from John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School, Imani Richburg from West Catholic Preparatory High School and Alex Tieu from Roman Catholic High School for Boys. The Gates Millennium Scholars Program selects 1,000 talented students each year to receive a good-through-graduation (B.A., M.A., and Ph.D.) scholarship to use at any college or university of their choice. Ms. Dejesus, Ms. Richburg and Mr. Tieu were chosen from among 50,000 applicants nationally.


20 Archdiocesan Elementary Schools Recognized During First InMath Award Ceremony:
In June 2014, 20 Archdiocese of Philadelphia parish and regional elementary schools, whose students and educators have ranked nationally in the First InMath online program were honored during a local awards ceremony.

Josephine Nguyen, a sixth grade student at Saint Cecilia Parish Elementary School, was named the top player nationally in the First InMath program for the third year in a row. In addition, Saint Martin of Tours School had the third place educator nationally. Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Veronica Parish Elementary Schools are ranked fourth and fifth nationally for the First InMath team category.
Dr. Robert Sun (Saint Francis de Sales School Class of 1962) invented the 24 Game in 1988. In 2002, the 24 Game expanded and moved to the internet under the title First in Math. The online program begins August 1st and ends April 30th each year. Students compete within their school, with other schools in the Archdiocese, with over 1,000 schools in Pennsylvania and over 5,000 schools nationwide.

Office of Catholic Education and Faith in the Future Launch "Transfer Advantage" Campaign:
In June, the "Transfer Advantage" campaign was launched as an outreach to parents of any students entering 10th, 11th or 12th grades who are not currently enrolled at an Archdiocesan high school. Transfer students, who meet all admission requirements and are accepted to one of the 17 Archdiocesan high schools, would be eligible to receive a $1,000 grant for the 2014-2015 academic year.

In addition to the roll out of a new website, www.transferadvantage.org, radio and transit campaigns were also launched in Philadelphia and the four suburban counties and will run through early Fall 2014. The tag line for the campaign is, "It's their future. Don't settle." The transit campaign began June 27th and runs through September 21st. The radio campaign began airing on local stations July 14th and ran through August 17th.

###


Editor's Note: For more information about schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia please visit www.catholicschools-phl.org.

Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Christopher Mominey, Secretary For Catholic Education Welcomes Back Students, Teachers And Staff With Video Message

September 3, 2014


CHRISTOPHER MOMINEY, SECRETARY FOR CATHOLIC EDUCATION
WELCOMES BACK STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND STAFF WITH VIDEO MESSAGE



This academic year marks the first anniversary of the hiring of Mr. Christopher Mominey as Chief Operating Officer and Secretary of Catholic Education for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Mr. Mominey said, "I'm thrilled to be celebrating my first full year in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as Secretary for Catholic Education. At the start of this school year I especially want our teachers in all schools, no matter what level they teach, to know that their ministry is so critically important to the future of our Church. They are the ones who are equipping saints for life in this world and the next. As Philadelphia prepares to take center stage next year during the 2015 World Meeting of Families, I have no doubt that people will see our work, our mission and our ministry in Catholic education continue to grow and thrive well into the future."

You can view Mr. Mominey's welcome back video message at the following link: http://youtu.be/I2SWFKTuP3U.


# # #


Editor's Note: For more information on Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia please visit http://www.catholicschools-phl.org/. For more information on Faith in the Future please visit http://www.faithinthefuture.com/.

Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia To Host 2014 Archbishop's Lecture Series Featuring Nationally Renowned Scholars And Authors

September 4, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA TO HOST
2014 ARCHBISHOP'S LECTURE SERIES FEATURING NATIONALLY
RENOWNED SCHOLARS AND AUTHORS




The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Office for the New Evangelization are pleased to announce the featured speakers and topics for the 2014 Archbishop's Lecture Series. The series presents an opportunity for all to come to a deeper understanding of the true meaning of Catholic faith, its authentic content, and its orientation toward the transformation of the world around us. This year's lecture topics revolve around masculinity and femininity, marriage and the family, a timely preparation for the 2015 World Meeting of Families.

All lectures will take place at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Vianney Hall Auditorium; 100 East Wynnewood Road; Wynnewood, PA 19096 (Montgomery County).

A complete listing of scheduled programs is below.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Speaker: Professor Robert George
Topic: What Marriage Is and Isn't
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 30, 2014
Speaker: Professor Rími Brague
Topic: On the God of the Christians
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Monday, November 17, 2014
Speaker: Mary Eberstadt
Topic: How the West Really Lost God
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 11, 2014
Speaker: Professor David L. Schindler
Topic: Theology of the Body, the Gender Distinction, and Religious Freedom
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.


# # #


Editor's Note: For additional information on this lecture series please contact Meghan Cokeley, Director of the Office for the New Evangelization or visit www.phillyevang.org/lectures.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: As School Begins, A Brief Lesson In Marble

September 5, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
AS SCHOOL BEGINS, A BRIEF LESSON IN MARBLE



Most of us know C.S. Lewis as the author of The Chronicles of Narnia and The Screwtape Letters. But he was a teacher as well as a writer - and in his lectures, he often described God as a sculptor. For Lewis, the suffering in a person's life has special meaning, echoed again and again in Scripture.

Proverbs tells us, " Do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights" (3:11-12). And the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that in suffering, " God is treating you as sons, for what son is there whom a father does not discipline?" (12:7).

Challenges and hardships help us grow. Suffering is a tool. God uses this tool to shape each of us into the saints he wants us to be. God sees the shape of our greatness in the marble of our humanity. Then he cuts away the stone of ignorance and sin to free us.

It's a useful metaphor. Anyone who's seen a photograph of Michelangelo's sculpture of the Pieta - or viewed it in person at the Vatican - knows what Lewis meant. The Pieta's figures of Jesus and Mary seem marvelously real. The smoothness of their skin, the elegance of their limbs, the sorrow on Mary's face - these things are so real that we can forget they came from a slab of dead marble. Michelangelo saw the beauty in the stone and he set it free with a hammer and a chisel. Nobody remembers the hammer blow; that was over in an instant. The result - the beauty - lasts forever.

Now, people aren't blocks of stone. They're living tissue, with the freedom and dignity of children of God. And teachers aren't chisels and hammers - nor should they ever be. In the work of Catholic education, they're active mentors and agents in God's plan, not merely his instruments. But we can still draw some lessons from the sculptor and his art.

First, every great sculptor is motivated by love, not merely technical skill. The sculptor loves the beauty and the truth he sees locked in the stone. In the same way, every great teacher loves the possibilities for beauty, joy, achievement and truth - the hint of the glory of God - she sees in the face of her students.

Next, the great sculptor has a passion for his work and a confidence in his vision. In like manner, no Catholic teacher can form her students in moral character without a passion for the Gospel, a zeal for Jesus Christ, and a confidence in the truth of the Church and her teaching. No Catholic educator can give what he doesn't have himself. If we ourselves don't believe, then we can only share our unbelief. If we're not faithfully Catholic ourselves, then we can only communicate infidelity. Who we are and how we live inescapably shape the formation we give to others.

Finally, we need to recognize that people, unlike marble, have free will which must be respected. A person can refuse to grow. A person can freely reject the Gospel. The adult who forms a young man or woman in Christian maturity must rely, therefore, on persuasion and never coercion. At the same time, the teacher should never lose sight of the fact that real freedom, Gospel freedom, is a very different creature from today's common ideas of liberty, and choice for choice's sake.

Real freedom emerges from self-giving, not self-assertion. Real freedom means letting God shape our lives, so that the beauty he sees in us emerges and gives light to others.

Michelangelo could find the beauty in nearly any piece of marble. But he also left us a reminder of failure. Millions of people know his sculpture of the biblical figure David. It's one of humanity's greatest works of art. But Michelangelo also produced a collection called "the Captives." The name is a grim kind of irony. Each piece of sculpture in "the Captives" collection is a crude, half-finished form of a person, roughly cut from the marble, that the artist simply could not complete because the marble would not surrender the shape. Whatever Michelangelo saw in those stones is still trapped in them today, unfinished. It's held captive by the marble, five centuries later. And that's our alternative to God's love. Persons who reject God remain captive in their own stone - without beauty, without form, and without real freedom.

As we start a new school year, we might spend a few moments remembering that academic excellence in our classrooms is important, even vital, especially today. But a genuinely Catholic education is about much more than that. It's far more ambitious, and its expectations are much higher.

We become most "human" when we learn to place ourselves in the hands of God - the sculptor who knows the beauty and meaning of our lives better than we do ourselves. I'll be forever grateful to the teachers I had in Catholic schools, from grade school through graduate studies, who helped me see that. It's why we owe the teachers in our Catholic schools throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia such a debt of thanks.

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

World Meeting Of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Unveils Official Prayer And Iconic Image For September 2015 Event The Centrality Of Christ And The Critical Importance Of Love In The Family Drive The Words And Imagery Of These Spiritual Works Created For This Triennial Global Event

September 7, 2014

World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Unveils
Official Prayer and Iconic Image for September 2015 Event

The centrality of Christ and the critical importance of love in the family drive the words and
imagery of these spiritual works created for this triennial global event


Philadelphia, PA (September 7, 2014) - Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. today unveiled the official prayer and iconic image for the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015, which is set to be held next September. Inspired by the conference theme, "Love is our mission: the family fully alive," which was announced in May 2014, the conference's prayer and iconic image were unveiled and blessed by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M., Cap. during the Sunday evening Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. Both the prayer and the image will be shared with the Pontifical Council of the Family at the Vatican during Archbishop Chaput's visit to Rome during the week of September 15.

"The prayer and iconic image will inspire everyone as we continue to prepare for the 2015 World Meeting of Families," said Archbishop Chaput. "With their focus on enriching and reenergizing the spiritual life of families - both Catholic and non-Catholic alike, I'm hopeful that this prayer and image can help all of us to examine our minds and hearts and deepen our relationships with God and our families in meaningful ways."

The official prayer for the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 is meant to aid delegates around the world in their spiritual preparation for this momentous event. Distributed to parishes across the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and also accessible via the 2015 World Meeting of Families' web site in 18 languages including American Sign Language, the prayer is meant to serve as a vehicle of hope and faith for families. Encouraging daily recitation for the success of the event and for personal intentions, the prayer is foundational to both the conference's theme and its planned content.

In addition to an official prayer, the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 has produced a definitive iconic image for the event. This image is a religious work of art meant to encourage both reflection and prayer. For the 2015 World Meeting of Families, artist Neilson Carlin, based in Kennett Square, PA, was commissioned to create an oil painting of the Holy Family depicting Mary, Joseph and Jesus, as a small child, as well as Mary's parents, Saints Anna and Joachim. The four-by-five foot canvas, which was also unveiled on Sunday with the assistance of students from John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School, Roman Catholic High School, Saint Peter the Apostle School, and Saint Francis Xavier School, will be on display in the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul through the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families, which will be held September 22-27, 2015. Those coming to the view the iconic image at the Cathedral are encouraged to pray for families around the world by reciting the official prayer and lighting a votive candle at the Marian Shrine.

Carlin, who specializes in large-scale commission work for the Catholic Church, said, "I am both honored and humbled by the opportunity to use my talents to serve the Church, my fellow Catholics and this global event, which hopefully will welcome Pope Francis. Inspired by the theme of 'Love is our mission,' it is my sincerest hope that this image will be a source of prayer and contemplation that draws people of all faiths in and ultimately makes them feel closer and more connected to their own families."

For more information about the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015, its official prayer or the iconic image for this international event, please visit worldmeeting2015.org.

The World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Official Prayer

God and Father of us all,
in Jesus, your Son and our Savior,
you have made us
your sons and daughters
in the family of the Church.

May your grace and love
help our families
in every part of the world
be united to one another
in fidelity to the Gospel.

May the example of the Holy Family,
with the aid of your Holy Spirit,
guide all families, especially those most troubled,
to be homes of communion and prayer
and to always seek your truth and live in your love.
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us!

The World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Iconic Image


About the World Meetings of Families

Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.

###

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Nutritional Development Services Launches Program Making School Meals More Accessible Program Would Provide Free Breakfast And Lunch To All Children In Eligible Schools Regardless Of Family Income

September 9, 2014

NUTRITIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES LAUNCHES
PROGRAM MAKING SCHOOL MEALS MORE ACCESSIBLE

Program would provide free breakfast and lunch to all children in eligible schools regardless of family income



Nutritional Development Services (NDS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is pleased to roll out a new program that will make it easier for families to access free meals for their children at school. Known as the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), it allows eligible schools to serve free meals to all students regardless of individual family income.

Included in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, CEP eliminates annual school meal applications for families. Since the 2011-2012 school year, the program has been piloted in eleven states and will be operational in all fifty states this Fall. Fifty-nine schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia who participate in the School Meals program under NDS' sponsorship have been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to participate.

"NDS staff is looking forward to the opportunity to provide breakfast and lunch to all children in our eligible schools. By having access to these meals, we feel children will be more attentive in class and more motivated to learn. Since all children will be able to enjoy the same meal, the children will have the enjoyment of a shared experience at meal time," says NDS director, Lorraine Knight.


###


Editor's note: In fiscal year 2013, over 3.3 million meals were served with an average of 29,838 breakfast and lunches served each school day. For more information, contact Anne H. Ayella at 267-262-8901.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column Special Edition: A Tale Of Two Churches By: Cardinal Francis George, O.m.i., Archbishop Of Chicago

September 10, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN SPECIAL EDITION:

A TALE OF TWO CHURCHES
By: Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago




Chicago's Cardinal Francis George is among the most articulate Catholic voices in the United States. His column below, which first appeared in Catholic New World, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Chicago, deserves a very wide audience and serious discussion. I'm happy to give my own column space this week to the words of His Eminence, and I hope Philadelphia-area Catholics read and re-read his comments in the coming months.

-- Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.



Once upon a time there was a church founded on God's entering into human history in order to give humanity a path to eternal life and happiness with him. The Savior that God sent, his only-begotten Son, did not write a book but founded a community, a church, upon the witness and ministry of twelve apostles. He sent this church the gift of the Holy Spirit, the spirit of love between Father and Son, the Spirit of the truth that God had revealed about himself and humanity by breaking into the history of human sinfulness.

This church, a hierarchical communion, continued through history, living among different peoples and cultures, filled with sinners, but always guided in the essentials of her life and teaching by the Holy Spirit. She called herself "Catholic" because her purpose was to preach a universal faith and a universal morality, encompassing all peoples and cultures. This claim often invited conflict with the ruling classes of many countries. About 1,800 years into her often stormy history, this church found herself as a very small group in a new country in Eastern North America that promised to respect all religions because the State would not be confessional; it would not try to play the role of a religion.

This church knew that it was far from socially acceptable in this new country. One of the reasons the country was established was to protest the king of England's permitting the public celebration of the Catholic Mass on the soil of the British Empire in the newly conquered Catholic territories of Canada. He had betrayed his coronation oath to combat Catholicism, defined as "America's greatest enemy," and protect Protestantism, bringing the pure religion of the colonists into danger and giving them the moral right to revolt and reject his rule.

Nonetheless, many Catholics in the American colonies thought their life might be better in the new country than under a regime whose ruling class had penalized and persecuted them since the mid-16th century. They made this new country their own and served her loyally. The social history was often contentious, but the State basically kept its promise to protect all religions and not become a rival to them, a fake church. Until recent years.

There was always a quasi-religious element in the public creed of the country. It lived off the myth of human progress, which had little place for dependence on divine providence. It tended to exploit the religiosity of the ordinary people by using religious language to co-opt them into the purposes of the ruling class. Forms of anti-Catholicism were part of its social DNA. It had encouraged its citizens to think of themselves as the creators of world history and the managers of nature, so that no source of truth outside of themselves needed to be consulted to check their collective purposes and desires. But it had never explicitly taken upon itself the mantle of a religion and officially told its citizens what they must personally think or what "values" they must personalize in order to deserve to be part of the country. Until recent years.

In recent years, society has brought social and legislative approval to all types of sexual relationships that used to be considered "sinful." Since the biblical vision of what it means to be human tells us that not every friendship or love can be expressed in sexual relations, the church's teaching on these issues is now evidence of intolerance for what the civil law upholds and even imposes. What was once a request to live and let live has now become a demand for approval. The "ruling class," those who shape public opinion in politics, in education, in communications, in entertainment, is using the civil law to impose its own form of morality on everyone. We are told that, even in marriage itself, there is no difference between men and women, although nature and our very bodies clearly evidence that men and women are not interchangeable at will in forming a family. Nevertheless, those who do not conform to the official religion, we are warned, place their citizenship in danger.

When the recent case about religious objection to one provision of the Health Care Act was decided against the State religion, the Huffington Post (June 30, 2014) raised "concerns about the compatibility between being a Catholic and being a good citizen." This is not the voice of the nativists who first fought against Catholic immigration in the 1830s. Nor is it the voice of those who burned convents and churches in Boston and Philadelphia a decade later. Neither is it the voice of the Know-Nothing Party of the 1840s and 1850s, nor of the Ku Klux Klan, which burned crosses before Catholic churches in the Midwest after the civil war. It is a voice more sophisticated than that of the American Protective Association, whose members promised never to vote for a Catholic for public office. This is, rather, the selfrighteous voice of some members of the American establishment today who regard themselves as "progressive" and "enlightened."

The inevitable result is a crisis of belief for many Catholics. Throughout history, when Catholics and other believers in revealed religion have been forced to choose between being taught by God or instructed by politicians, professors, editors of major newspapers and entertainers, many have opted to go along with the powers that be. This reduces a great tension in their lives, although it also brings with it the worship of a false god. It takes no moral courage to conform to government and social pressure. It takes a deep faith to "swim against the tide," as Pope Francis recently encouraged young people to do at last summer's World Youth Day.

Swimming against the tide means limiting one's access to positions of prestige and power in society. It means that those who choose to live by the Catholic faith will not be welcomed as political candidates to national office, will not sit on editorial boards of major newspapers, will not be at home on most university faculties, will not have successful careers as actors and entertainers. Nor will their children, who will also be suspect. Since all public institutions, no matter who owns or operates them, will be agents of the government and conform their activities to the demands of the official religion, the practice of medicine and law will become more difficult for faithful Catholics. It already means in some States that those who run businesses must conform their activities to the official religion or be fined, as Christians and Jews are fined for their religion in countries governed by Sharia law.

A reader of the tale of two churches, an outside observer, might note that American civil law has done much to weaken and destroy what is the basic unit of every human society, the family. With the weakening of the internal restraints that healthy family life teaches, the State will need to impose more and more external restraints on everyone's activities. An outside observer might also note that the official religion's imposing whatever its proponents currently desire on all citizens and even on the world at large inevitably generates resentment. An outside observer might point out that class plays a large role in determining the tenets of the official State religion. "Same-sex marriage," as a case in point, is not an issue for the poor or those on the margins of society.

How does the tale end? We don't know. The actual situation is, of course, far more complex than a story plot, and there are many actors and characters, even among the ruling class, who do not want their beloved country to transform itself into a fake church. It would be wrong to lose hope, since there are so many good and faithful people.

Catholics do know, with the certainty of faith, that, when Christ returns in glory to judge the living and the dead, the church, in some recognizable shape or form that is both Catholic and Apostolic, will be there to meet him. There is no such divine guarantee for any country, culture or society of this or any age.

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Preparatory Catechesis, Prayer And Iconic Image For The World Meeting Of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Presented To The Pontifical Council For The Family In Rome Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.f.m. Cap. And Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia Highlighted The Spiritual Preparatory Materials, Now Publicly Available, In Advance Of This Triennial Global Event

September 16, 2014

Preparatory Catechesis, Prayer and Iconic Image for
the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015
Presented to the Pontifical Council for the Family in Rome

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. and Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia highlighted the spiritual
preparatory materials, now publicly available, in advance of this triennial global event


Rome, Italy (September 16, 2014) - Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. today presented the preparatory catechesis, prayer, and iconic image for the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 to the Pontifical Council for the Family (PCF) during a press conference at Sala Stampa in Rome, Italy. He was joined by Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the PCF, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Tom and Barbara Riley. The Rileys are parishioners from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and spoke at the news conference about their five children, the impact of their faith on their daily lives as parents and why the upcoming World Meeting of Families is so significant.

The catechesis, prayer and iconic image formally presented today were inspired by the conference theme, "Love is our mission: the family fully alive," publicly announced in May 2014. Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia accepted these preparatory materials, which will form the spiritual and contextual foundation for delegates worldwide.

"I am greatly pleased to share these important preparatory materials for the World Meeting of Families with the Pontifical Council for the Family and the world," said Archbishop Chaput. "We have worked diligently to create spiritually resonant, relevant and accessible content for everyone who will join us in Philadelphia next year. It is my deepest hope that not only Catholics, but all people of good will might connect to our theme through reading, discussion, prayer, and reflection based on these preparatory materials."

Inspired by the words of the early Church father, St. Irenaeus, "the glory of God is man fully alive," the theme for the 2015 World Meeting of Families - "Love is our mission: the family fully alive" - reflects the central role of the family in teaching people how to receive and give love. Serving as a unifying concept for its portfolio of preparatory materials, the theme drives catechetical content and programming for the World Meeting of Families, which will be held September 22-27, 2015 in Philadelphia.

The preparatory catechesis is traditionally developed by the host diocese for the World Meeting of Families and reflects authentic Catholic beliefs about human dignity, human sexuality, marriage, and the family. Like the World Meeting of Families conference itself, the preparatory catechesis is intended for people of all ages and aims to address the issues and challenges facing families around the world. It not only forms the basis for programming and discussion at the World Meeting of Families but also is used to create lesson plans for elementary and high school students in Catholic schools so that they may engage these materials in an age-appropriate manner. The complete book is available in both English and Spanish and can be purchased online from its publisher, Our Sunday Visitor.

The official prayer for the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 is meant to aid delegates around the world in their spiritual preparation for this momentous event. Accessible via the 2015 World Meeting of Families' web site in 18 languages including American Sign Language, the prayer is meant to serve as a vehicle of hope and faith for families. Widespread daily recitation for the success of the event and for personal intentions is encouraged. The prayer is foundational to both the conference's theme and its planned content.

Lastly, the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 has produced a definitive iconic image for the event. This image is a religious work of art meant to encourage both reflection and prayer. For the 2015 World Meeting of Families, artist Neilson Carlin, based in Kennett Square, PA, was commissioned to create an oil painting of the Holy Family depicting Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, as a small child, as well as Mary's parents, Saints Anna and Joachim. The four-by-five foot canvas was formally unveiled and blessed on September 7th and is on display in the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, PA, now through the conclusion of the 2015 World Meeting of Families. Those coming to the view the iconic image at the Cathedral are encouraged to pray for families around the world by reciting the official prayer and lighting a votive candle at the Marian Shrine.

Said Archbishop Chaput, "With the World Meeting of Families just one year away, I believe that the preparatory catechesis, prayer and iconic image can begin to help focus all of us on the family in deep and meaningful ways. The discussions of September 2015 will, without doubt, be thoughtful, insightful and robust. These materials, as guided by our theme, will give purpose and direction to these important forthcoming conversations."

For more information about the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015, please visit worldmeeting2015.org.

The World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Catechesis

World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Theme: "Love is our mission: the family fully alive."

The World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Official Prayer

God and Father of us all,
in Jesus, your Son and our Savior,
you have made us
your sons and daughters
in the family of the Church.

May your grace and love
help our families
in every part of the world
be united to one another
in fidelity to the Gospel.

May the example of the Holy Family,
with the aid of your Holy Spirit,
guide all families, especially those most troubled,
to be homes of communion and prayer
and to always seek your truth and live in your love.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us!


The World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Iconic Image

philadelphia 2015 iconic image


About the World Meetings of Families
Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.


###

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

A Celebration In Thanksgiving For The Ministry Of Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas, Auxiliary Bishop Of Philadelphia Bishop Thomas Has Served As An Auxiliary Bishop Of Philadelphia Since 2006; On August 26th Pope Francis Appointed Him The Eighth Bishop Of The Diocese Of Toledo

September 17, 2014

A CELEBRATION IN THANKSGIVING FOR THE MINISTRY OF
MOST REVEREND DANIEL E. THOMAS,
AUXILIARY BISHOP OF PHILADELPHIA

Bishop Thomas has served as an auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia since 2006;
on August 26th Pope Francis appointed him the Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo


Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. O.F.M. Cap. will lead Solemn Evening Prayer and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament in thanksgiving for the ministry of Bishop Daniel E. Thomas on the occasion of his appointment as the Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo. Bishop Thomas will preach.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014
5:30 p.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1299


A reception open to all will be held immediately afterward.

Archdiocesan Pastoral Center
Auditorium
222 North 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1299


All are welcome to attend Solemn Evening Prayer, Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament and the reception.

On Tuesday, August 26th, Bishop Thomas was named as the Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo (www.toledodiocese.org). Founded in 1910, the Diocese of Toledo is home to over 320,000 Catholics from19 counties in northwestern Ohio. He will be installed as the bishop of that diocese on Wednesday, October 22nd in Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral in Toledo.

Biographical Information on Bishop Thomas:
Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, 55, is one of two children born to the late Anna M. (Weber) Thomas and the late Francis P. Thomas, Jr., in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Holy Family Parish Elementary School and Roman Catholic High School for Boys. Following graduation from high school, he enrolled at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood (Montgomery County). There he earned Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts Degrees. He was ordained to the Priesthood by John Cardinal Krol in 1985 and served as parochial vicar at Saint Joseph Parish in Aston (Delaware County) 1985-1987. Then-Father Thomas studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome 1987-1989, earning an S.T.L. in Dogmatic Theology. He served as an official in the Congregation for Bishops at the Vatican and as an Adjunct Spiritual Director at the North American College in Rome 1990-2005.

Saint Pope John Paul II named then-Father Thomas a Chaplain to His Holiness, which came with the title of Monsignor, in 1995 and a Prelate of Honor in 2005. He returned home to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to become Pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Strafford (Chester County) 2005-2006. In 2006, then-Monsignor Thomas was ordained a bishop by Cardinal Justin Rigali. Since that time he has assisted both Cardinal Rigali and Archbishop Chaput with the pastoral and administrative care of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Comments from Archbishop Chaput:
Upon learning of Bishop Thomas' appointment in August, Archbishop Chaput said, "This appointment demonstrates the confidence our Holy Father has in Bishop Thomas' pastoral and administrative skills. I have worked with him closely since my arrival in Philadelphia three years ago and have witnessed his wisdom, intelligence, personal warmth and keen affection for the people of God. The Diocese of Toledo has been given a true gift in Bishop Thomas. I know he will serve them joyfully as a faithful shepherd and spiritual father. I ask that all priests, deacons, religious and laity of the Archdiocese join me in extending congratulations and prayerful best wishes as he prepares to accept this assignment."

Comments from Bishop Thomas:

In preparation for the farewell celebration, Bishop Thomas said, "It has been a blessing and a privilege to serve as a priest and auxiliary bishop here in my hometown of Philadelphia. I am so grateful to God for calling me to a priestly and episcopal vocation and to the priests, deacons, religious and lay people of this great Archdiocese. They have touched my life in so many ways and made my ministry rich and fulfilling. The Church of Philadelphia will never be far from my heart and the intentions of its people will always be in my prayers. I invoke God's blessing upon you and commend you to the benevolent care of Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary.

As I prepare now to shepherd the Lord's flock in northwest Ohio, I ask you to pray with me that I may be a faithful, humble, holy, and ardent bishop for Toledo. With profound gratitude to Pope Francis, I trust in God's Holy Will as I embark on this new ministry to teach, govern, and sanctify in the name of Jesus for the good of His Church."

Additional Information on Bishop Thomas:

Bishop Thomas is a member of the Archdiocesan Council of Priests, the Archdiocesan College of Consultors and the Archdiocesan Priest Personnel Board. He is the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and Chairman of the Seminary's Admissions Board for the Diocesan Priesthood.

In the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Bishop Thomas serves as a member of the following: The Ad Hoc Committee on Catechism; the Committee for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations; the Task Force Commission on Certification and Accreditation; and the Committee on Divine Worship.

Bishop Thomas also serves as a member of the Episcopal Advisory Boards for both the Catholic Leadership Institute and the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors and as a member of the National Advisory Council for the Saint John Vianney Center.

###


Editor's Note: Television crews are asked to use the audio and video mult-box feed that will be provided in the Cathedral parking lot. Television cameras will not be permitted in the Cathedral. Please enter on 17th Street between Race and Vine Streets. Reporters and still photographers are welcome in the Cathedral. Television crews and still photographers are welcome at the reception.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Statement Of The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Regarding Alleged Incident In Center City Last Week

September 17, 2014

STATEMENT OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA
REGARDING ALLEGED INCIDENT IN CENTER CITY LAST WEEK



On Wednesday, Archbishop Wood High School became aware that some of its former students were allegedly involved in the assault of two men in Center City last week. That afternoon, administrators communicated with the entire Archbishop Wood school community to make it emphatically clear that the school does not, under any circumstances, tolerate or condone the violent and hateful behavior displayed by those who took part in this senseless attack.

Administration also stressed that Catholic schools are centers of learning where students are expected to treat each other in a Christ-like manner at all times and that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. The actions of those who took part in the attack are reprehensible and entirely unacceptable. They are not an accurate reflection of our Catholic values or of Archbishop Wood High School.

# # #

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Statement Of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.f.m. Cap. Regarding Incident In Center City Last Week

September 18, 2014

STATEMENT OF ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT, O.F.M. CAP.
REGARDING INCIDENT IN CENTER CITY LAST WEEK



"A key part of a Catholic education is forming students to respect the dignity of every human person whether we agree with them or not. What students do with that formation when they enter the adult world determines their own maturity and dignity, or their lack of it. Violence against anyone, simply because of who they are, is inexcusable and alien to what it means to be a Christian. A recent beating incident in Center City allegedly involved, in some way, a part-time coach at Archbishop Wood High School. After inquiries by school leadership, the coach was contacted regarding the matter and he resigned. Archbishop Wood's handling of the matter was appropriate, and I support their efforts to ensure that Catholic convictions guide the behavior of their whole school community, including their staff."

# # #

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocesan High School Students Honored At Maguire Foundation Scholars' Celebration

September 17, 2014

ARCHDIOCESAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HONORED AT
MAGUIRE FOUNDATION SCHOLARS' CELEBRATION


The Maguire Foundation has committed $7 million in scholarships to educating students
in high schools throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia


275 high school freshman and sophomores, including over 200 students from the 17 high schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will be honored as Maguire Scholars by The Maguire Foundation at a celebration hosted by Mr. and Mrs. James J. Maguire, Co-Principals of the foundation.

Last year, in partnership with Faith in the Future and the Office of Catholic Education, The Maguire Foundation committed $7 million dollars over seven years to Faith in the Future in support of students attending Archdiocesan high schools.


Monday, September 22, 2014
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Saint Joseph's University
Michael J. Hagan '85 Arena
2450 North 54th Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19131


Mr. Christopher Mominey, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary for Catholic Education said, "Faith in the Future and the Office of Catholic Education are honored to continue our partnership with the Maguire Foundation. We are grateful to Mr. and Mrs. James Maguire and The Maguire Foundation for their extreme generosity and unwavering support of students in our Archdiocesan high schools. These future leaders of tomorrow and their parents have made sacrifices for a quality Catholic education and benefit immensely from the scholarships offered by the Maguire Foundation."

As of the 2014-2015 academic year, a total of 215 freshmen and sophomores have been selected to receive $3,000 scholarships for each of the four years they attend an Archdiocesan high school. These students were selected in collaboration with the presidents and admission directors at each high school. There are at least 12 Maguire Scholars represented at each of the 17 Archdiocese of Philadelphia High Schools and Mercy Vocational High School. In order to qualify, students must demonstrate financial need, meet academic benchmarks, actively participate in school activities and illustrate involvement in their communities.

"The Maguire Foundation is proud of the 275 young men and women who have been chosen as Maguire Scholars. The Scholars' Celebration is a way of honoring and inspiring these students to strive to be high achievers in all that they do in the classroom and the community. We must teach young people to believe what they are, and become what they believe," stated James J. Maguire, Founder and President of The Maguire Foundation.

The Maguire Foundation's mission is grounded in the teachings of St. Ignatius Loyola that we are men and women for others. They believe that partnering with educational institutions to provide families of need with scholarship assistance and grants to grade school, high school, and college builds a strong foundation for success.

###


Editor's Note: To learn more about The Maguire Foundation please visit maguirefoundation.org/index.php. For information about Faith in the Future visit http://www.faithinthefuture.com/.

Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Saint Norbert Parish Elementary School To Host "nickels To Knock Out Childhood Cancer"

September 23, 2014

SAINT NORBERT PARISH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO HOST "NICKELS TO KNOCK OUT CHILDHOOD CANCER"


Saint Norbert Parish Elementary School in Paoli (Chester County) will host a "Nickels to Knock Out Childhood Cancer" school-wide fundraiser. The event will be held on September 26th, which is designated as, "National Dress 4 Pediatric Cancer Day." Students in Pre-k through 8th grades will wear yellow shirts to school and will come together in the school gymnasium for the fundraiser. Each classroom will line up their nickels across the gym floor.

Friday, September 26, 2014
10:00 a.m.
Saint Norbert Parish Elementary School
6 Greenlawn Road
Paoli, PA 19301 (Chester County)


Students were asked to begin collecting nickels on September 15th. All proceeds raised by Saint Norbert students during "Nickels to Knock Out Childhood Cancer," will be donated to the Go4theGoal Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is, "to improve the lives of children battling cancer by providing financial support, developing and implementing unique hospital programs, funding innovative research, and granting personal wishes."


###



Editor's Note: For information about Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit www.catholicschools-phl.org.

Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archbishop Calls For Day Of Prayer For Synod Of Bishops On The Family

September 23, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CALLS FOR DAY OF PRAYER
FOR SYNOD OF BISHOPS ON THE FAMILY


Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. has invited all people to participate in a worldwide Day of Prayer on Sunday, September 28th for the Synod of Bishops on the Family. This Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will take place from October 5 - 19 in Vatican City on topics related to the pastoral challenges to the family and evangelization.

Churches, parish communities and institutes of consecrated life within the Archdiocese are invited to pray during celebration of the Sacred Liturgy and devotional prayer, especially in adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, in the days preceding and during the work of the Synod. The faithful, especially families, are encouraged to include this intention in their personal prayers and to pray the Holy Rosary for the work of the Synod.

The prayer for the Synod of Bishops on the Family composed by Pope Francis follows:

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
in you we contemplate
the splendor of true love,
to you we turn with trust.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
grant that our families too
may be places of communion and prayer,
authentic schools of the Gospel
and small domestic Churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
may families never again
experience violence, rejection and division:
may all who have been hurt or scandalized
find ready comfort and healing.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
may the approaching Synod of Bishops
make us once more mindful
of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,
and its beauty in God's plan.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
graciously hear our prayer.


# # #


Editor's Note: More information on the Synods of Bishops on the Family can be found here: http://usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/2014-2015-synods-of-bishops-on-the-family.cfm

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Letter Of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.f.m. Cap. To The Jewish Community At Rosh Hashanah And Yom Kippur

September 24, 2014

LETTER OF ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT, O.F.M. Cap.
TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY
AT ROSH HASHANAH AND YOM KIPPUR


At this time of year, it is my annual pleasure to greet the local Jewish community on the occasion of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. I join the clergy and people of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in extending to area Jews our prayerful best wishes at this sacred time.

These two solemn observances carry with them themes of prayer, reflection, and renewal at the deepest personal level and before our Heavenly Father. These themes are particularly relevant in our day. Even a person of faith can be tempted to sadness and despair in view of the conditions in our times. When we read about wars, strife and corruption, it is easy to point the finger at others or cast blame elsewhere. But, as we stand before our Maker and contemplate the evil in the world, we know that we are all called to calculate our own offenses and to pledge that we will try anew to adhere to the divine plan for humanity and for each of us.

It is my prayer that these holy days will be for all of our Jewish sisters and brothers a time of spiritual refreshment and renewed hope.

+Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Philadelphia


Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Announces Closure Of Two Worship Sites In Philadelphia Saint Callistus Church And Saint Laurentius Church Will No Longer Serve As Worship Sites Of Our Lady Of Lourdes Parish And Holy Name Of Jesus Parish, Respectively, And Will Close As Roman Catholic Churches

September 28, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF
TWO WORSHIP SITES IN PHILADELPHIA

Saint Callistus Church and Saint Laurentius Church will no longer serve as worship sites of
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and Holy Name of Jesus Parish, respectively,
and will close as Roman Catholic Churches


Contextual Background

Saint Callistus

In July 2013, Saint Callistus Parish merged with Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, both located in West Philadelphia's Overbrook/Morris Park neighborhoods, as part of the Parish Area Pastoral Planning Initiative that has been ongoing in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Both parishes merged at the location and retained the name of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.

At that time, the Saint Callistus Church building became a worship site of the newly formed Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and was made available for the occasional celebration of Mass as well as funerals, weddings and baptisms. This practice is customary whenever possible in the case of a parish merger.

Additional information regarding that merger can be found at the following link: http://archphila.org/press releases/pr002099.php.

Saint Laurentius

In July 2013, Saint Laurentius Parish merged with Holy Name of Jesus Parish, both located in Philadelphia's Fishtown neighborhood, as part of the Parish Area Pastoral Planning Initiative that has been ongoing in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Both parishes merged at the location and retained the name of Holy Name of Jesus Parish.

At that time, the Saint Laurentius Church building became a worship site of the newly formed Holy Name of Jesus Parish and was made available for the occasional celebration of Mass as well as funerals, weddings and baptisms. This practice is customary whenever possible in the case of a parish merger.

Additional information regarding that merger can be found at the following link: http://archphila.org/press releases/pr002178.php


Today's Announcement

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced today that Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. relegated the Saint Callistus and Saint Laurentius Church buildings to profane but not sordid use effective October 1, 2014. This formal, canonical designation means that the buildings will no longer serve as worship sites and will close as Roman Catholic churches. Copies of the official canonical decrees can be found at http://archphila.org/conversion/conversion_index.php.

The formal request to close these worship sites originated from the pastors of the parishes, together with their parish pastoral and finance councils. The requests were then reviewed by the Archdiocesan Council of Priests and presented to Archbishop Chaput, who, after a careful review of all supporting factors, made the final decision.

This information was shared with Our Lady of Lourdes and Holy Name of Jesus parishioners at all Masses over the course of this weekend. Additionally, the pastors of both parishes have regularly communicated with their parishioners throughout the process of request for the buildings be relegated to profane but not sordid use.

Further Information Regarding Today's Announcement

Saint Callistus

The Saint Callistus church building faces a dangerous mold problem. It also is in need of repairs to the roof as well as waterproofing of the foundation. These necessary repairs and corresponding environmental clean-up work are estimated to cost a minimum of $260,000 over and above routine maintenance and utility costs. This figure represents an expense that Our Lady of Lourdes Parish cannot absorb and that would jeopardize the stability of vital ministerial programs and parish finances. Additionally, there have been no requests for funerals or weddings at Saint Callistus, and no Eucharistic celebrations at the church site for the last ten months.

When Saint Callistus and Our Lady of Lourdes Parishes merged, all real estate holdings, assets and debts of the former Saint Callistus Parish were transferred to the newly formed Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. These transfers are part of standard procedure in the case of all parish mergers.

As such, the former Saint Callistus church building is the property of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. The future disposition of this building will be determined by the pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in consultation with his parish pastoral and finance councils in a manner consistent with providing for continued parish viability and sustainability.

Saint Laurentius

In March 2014, an inspection by an independent engineering firm resulted in the discovery of serious structural problems at the site and led to a recommendation for immediate closure out of concern for the safety of parishioners, students and the surrounding community. More information can be found here: http://archphila.org/press releases/pr002344.php The cost to repair and restore the church, including rebuilding the towers, would cost nearly $3.5 million, while the cost to demolish the church is approximately $1 million.

When Saint Laurentius and Holy Name of Jesus Parishes merged, all real estate holdings, assets and debts of the former Saint Laurentius Parish were transferred to the newly formed Holy Name of Jesus Parish. These transfers are part of standard procedure in the case of all parish mergers.

As such, the former Saint Laurentius church building is the property of Holy Name of Jesus Parish. The decision to demolish the Saint Laurentius church building or repair it will be determined by the pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in consultation with his parish pastoral and finance councils in a manner consistent with providing for continued parish viability and sustainability.

# # #


Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Catholic Social Services To Dedicate New Outreach Center Bishop John J. Mcintyre To Bless The Fatima Catholic Outreach Center For The Hispanic Community

October 3, 2014

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES TO DEDICATE
NEW OUTREACH CENTER

Bishop John J. McIntyre to bless the Fatima Catholic Outreach Center
for the Hispanic Community



Bishop John J. McIntyre will preside over the dedication and blessing of the Fatima Catholic Outreach Center, a partnership of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Saint Mary Medical Center. The center is located at Our Lady of Fatima Church and will have a particular focus on serving members of the Hispanic communities of Lower Bucks County and Northeast Philadelphia.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Dedication and Blessing
6:30 p.m.
Fatima Catholic Outreach Center
2913 Street Road
Bensalem, PA 19020 (Bucks County)


Brief remarks from attending dignitaries will precede the Rite of Blessing, which will be followed by a tour of the Fatima Outreach Center and a reception. All are invited to attend.

Services available at the center include Farm to Family produce, Greenlight Food Pantry, immigration consultation, ESL and citizenship classes, benefits screening and enrollment, strengthening families and parenting programs, an after school program, a senior citizen club, and much more.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information on the Fatima Catholic Outreach Center please contact Deacon Adolfo Crespo at 215-384-4903.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Servicios Sociales Católicos Dedicará Nuevo Centro De Alcance El Obispo John J. Mcintyre Bendecirá El Centro Católico De Fátima Para La Comunidad Hispana

October 3, 2014

SERVICIOS SOCIALES CATÓLICOS DEDICARÁ
NUEVO CENTRO DE ALCANCE

El obispo John J. McIntyre bendecirá el Centro Católico de Fátima
para la comunidad hispana



El obispo John J. McIntyre presidirá sobre la dedicación y bendición del Centro Católico de Fátima, una colaboración de Servicios Sociales Católicos de la Arquidiócesis de Filadelfia y Saint Mary Medical Center. El centro está ubicado en la iglesia Nuestra Señora de Fátima y tendrá un enfoque particular en el servicio a los miembros de las comunidades hispanas del condado Bucks y el noreste de Filadelfia.

Miércoles, octubre 8 del 2014
Dedicación y Bendición
6:30 p.m.
Centro Católico de Fátima
2913 Street Road
Bensalem, PA 19020 (Condado Bucks)


Breves comentarios de los dignatarios que asistirán precederán al Rito de la Bendición, que será seguido por un recorrido por el Centro Católico de Fátima y una recepción. Todos están invitados a asistir.

Los servicios disponibles en el centro incluyen Farm to Family Produce, Greenlight Food Pantry, consulta de inmigración, clases de inglés y de ciudadanía, elegibilidad y matriculación para beneficios, fortalecimiento de las familias y programas de crianza de los hijos, un programa después de la escuela, un club de la tercera edad, y mucho más.

# # #


Nota del Editor: Para obtener más información sobre el Centro Católico de Fátima por favor contacte al diacono Adolfo Crespo llamando al 215-384-4903.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: Food For The Catholic Mind And Soul

September 29, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
FOOD FOR THE CATHOLIC MIND AND SOUL



One of the great needs we have as adult Catholics is to deepen our faith and stay current in its application to issues we face as a culture. Providing ways to do that is the motive behind the "Archbishop's Lecture Series," organized and led very well by Meghan Cokeley in our Office for the New Evangelization. Of course, the series only achieves its goal if people actually take an active part in attending and engaging the speakers in discussion. So it's a pleasure this week to urge people across the archdiocese to join me in taking part in this wonderful series.

We have four major speakers this fall. Each is well worth setting aside an evening to hear.

Tomorrow night, Tuesday, September 30, Robert George opens the series on the topic of "What Marriage Is and Isn't." Professor George is McCormick professor of jurisprudence at Princeton University and head of Princeton's James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. He's an internationally recognized authority on issues involving marriage, family life and religious liberty.

On Thursday evening, October 30, Remi Brague will speak on themes from his recent book, "On the God of the Christians," an examination of Christian, Jewish and Muslim beliefs, and particularly how God is understood and encountered across the three great faiths. Brague is one of the most respected Catholic scholars in modern Europe. He is professor emeritus of medieval and Arabic philosophy at the Sorbonne and Romano Guardini chair of philosophy at the University of Munich.

On Monday, November 17, Mary Eberstadt will speak on her recent book, "How the West Really Lost God." A veteran cultural critic and senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C., Ms. Eberstadt has done ground-breaking research on the impact of family health -- or breakdown -- on the religious belief and practice of societies.

Finally on Thursday, December 11, Professor David L. Schindler will speak on "The Theology of the Body: The Gender Distinction and Religious Freedom." Dr. Schindler is a prolific author and lecturer, and the dean emeritus of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family.

Each of these evening events begins at 7 p.m. and takes place in the Vianney Hall Auditorium at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. They're a great opportunity to deepen our adult Catholic formation and renew our mental energy as Christians. I hope to see you there.

Attendance is $5 per lecture at the door; or check www.phillyevang.org/lectures for more information and online registration. Or contact Meghan Cokeley at [email protected]; 215.587.0500. Please note that the Remi Brague lecture is a special, free event; RSVP to Donna Huddell at [email protected].

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Judge Nelson Diaz To Visit Students At Catholic Social Services Out Of School Time Program

September 29, 2014

JUDGE NELSON DIAZ TO VISIT STUDENTS
AT CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES
OUT OF SCHOOL TIME PROGRAM



As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Honorable Nelson Diaz, former Judge for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, will visit Catholic Social Services' Casa del Carmen to speak about his experience with law school and pursuing a career in law with students in the Out of School Time Program.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
4400 North Reese Street
Philadelphia, PA 19140


Judge Diaz was the youngest judge elected to the Court and the first Latino judge in Pennsylvania history. In addition to his legal practice, he served as the city solicitor of Philadelphia and was appointed by President Clinton to be the general counsel for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The eleven Out of School Time Programs of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia provide support with homework assistance, youth development and family support. 30 students from different neighborhood schools attend Casa del Carmen's after-school program.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information, please contact George Rivera, at Casa del Carmen at 267-331-2500.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Announces Multiple Real Estate Transactions; Projects Expected Satisfaction Of Trust And Loan Funding Shortfall Today's Announcement Details The Most Recent In A Series Of Actions Taken By The Archdiocese To Restore And Stabilize Its Fiscal Foundation; Agreements Of Sale Reached For 200 + Acre Tract In Delaware County With Cardinal Crossing Realty Associates, Lp; 54 + Acre Parcel In Chester County To Woodbine Partners, Lp; And 454+ Acre Tract In Northampton County With David T. Davis

October 2, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE ANNOUNCES MULTIPLE REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS;
PROJECTS EXPECTED SATISFACTION OF
TRUST AND LOAN FUNDING SHORTFALL


Today's announcement details the most recent in a series of actions taken by the Archdiocese to
restore and stabilize its fiscal foundation; Agreements of sale reached for
200 + acre tract in Delaware County with Cardinal Crossing Realty Associates,
LP; 54 + acre parcel in Chester County to Woodbine Partners, LP; and
454+ acre tract in Northampton County with David T. Davis



Contextual Background Regarding Archdiocesan Financial Situation

In July of 2013, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia published audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. The financial statements disclosed a $39.2 million operating deficit for that period as well as very significant underfunded balance sheet liabilities that measured in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Since his arrival in Philadelphia over three years ago, Archbishop Chaput has repeatedly expressed his commitment to financial transparency and prudent stewardship of the resources of the Archdiocese. Beginning in the summer of 2012, a series of steps were taken to begin to remedy Archdiocesan fiscal challenges. The Archbishop's residence along with a property in Ventnor, New Jersey, were both sold to provide necessary immediate cash flow. Many other actions followed including a reduction of 25% of the workforce at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center in order to stem the operating deficit. None of those measures were taken lightly, but all were essential to maintaining the presence of the Catholic Church in the Philadelphia region and the good works accomplished through its various ministries.

The audited financial statements published by the Archdiocese last December for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013 illustrated the beginning of the positive impact of these actions with an "as reported" surplus of $3.9 million and a core operational deficit that had been reduced to $4.9 million from the $17.9 million core deficit that had been reported for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. The report did indicate, however, that significant underfunded balance sheet liabilities remained in the categories of Trust and Loan, Self-Insurance, Priests' Pension obligations and the Lay Employees' Retirement Plan (LERP).

Background Regarding Previous Actions Taken to Address Archdiocesan Fiscal Challenges
Please note that the amounts presented below and labeled as "current underfunding" are unaudited approximations as of June 30, 2014. Amounts noted as of June 30, 2013 are audited figures previously published by the Archdiocese. The current estimates of the underfunded balance sheet liabilities have been positively impacted by proceeds applied from the transaction involving the Archdiocesan cemeteries, which was completed in May 2014. Those allocations are noted below.

Additionally, these previously disclosed underfunded balance sheet liabilities will be further reduced upon closing of the transaction involving Archdiocesan nursing homes (http://archphila.org/press releases/pr002402.php). Specific allocations of the net proceeds from that transaction have not yet been determined.

With the real estate transactions announced today, the Archdiocese projects that it expects to satisfy the promissory note executed in May 2012 to address the underfunded liability in the Archdiocesan Trust and Loan Fund. This fund, composed of deposits from parishes throughout the Archdiocese, was positively impacted previously by a $30 million allocation from the transaction involving Archdiocesan cemeteries that closed in May 2014. Funds realized after closing costs from the sales of land in Delaware County and Northampton County will be used to pay down the outstanding balance on the promissory note.

The Chief Financial Officer for the Archdiocese, Tim O'Shaughnessy, noted, "We expect that the proceeds from these transactions should be sufficient to fully satisfy the remaining shortfall in Trust and Loan. If the proceeds fall short of what is necessary, we will apply amounts from the sale of remaining pledged properties as needed."

Funds realized after closing costs from the sale of land in Chester County were allocated to reduce the underfunded Priests' Pension obligations, which were positively impacted previously by an $11.5 million allocation from the transaction involving Archdiocesan cemeteries, which closed in May 2014.

Contextual Background Regarding the Delaware County Transaction (Site of the Don Guanella Village and Cardinal Krol Center)

In an effort to address the underfunded balance sheet liabilities noted above, an evaluation of various Archdiocesan real estate assets and operating entities was undertaken. This evaluation focused on assets that could potentially be used to remedy the underfunded balance sheet obligations.

Among the real estate assets evaluated was a 200+ acre property tract along Sproul Road in Marple Township (Delaware County). The site comprises the campus of Don Guanella Village (DGV), which was founded in 1960 by Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS) and the Servants of Charity as a residential education program for young men with cognitive and developmental disabilities. In 1976, the Cardinal Krol Center opened on the DGV campus to provide pastoral care, medical care, rehabilitation services, educational programs, job training and activities for men over the age of 21 with developmental disabilities in a residential setting.

These services are a ministerial outreach of CSS. They are provided in partnership with various governmental agencies at the city, county, and state levels, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), which provides licensing and regulatory oversight for operations. Program expenditures exceeding government reimbursements are funded via the Don Guanella Village Fund and the Catholic Charities Appeal.

In October 2012, representatives of CSS and DGV met with family members of the residents of DGV to discuss changes in best practices for care being called for by ODP that prioritized smaller, community based homes for the intellectually disabled. The best practices focused on moving away from institutional based care, like that being provided at DGV, to a more community centered, home based, and mainstreamed model. To that end, CSS and DGV submitted concept papers and proposed budgets to the state that would move the men from the DGV campus to community based group homes over a two year period. This plan was shared with families of residents.

The first phase of the plan was completed by June 30, 2014 with 30 men moving to group homes and 16 men moving to Divine Providence Village. The second year of the transition began on July 1, 2014 with plans for 38 additional men to move to community based homes. This process is currently underway and on schedule. The move of each resident was carefully reviewed with family members to ensure that the unique needs of every man would be met.

The plan also noted that approximately 30 men residing at DGV were medically fragile and would not be able to thrive in a community based setting. CSS requested permission and funding to construct a small campus to continue caring for this group of men in an appropriate fashion.

The subsequent implementation of this plan resulted in the expected underutilization of the DGV campus as the majority of residents began moving to residential care programs within the community-at-large. As a result of the expected underutilization, Archbishop Chaput decided to market the property in January 2014. That decision was communicated to DGV employees and families of residents at that time. It came only after much prayer and careful consideration as well as review by the boards of Catholic Social Services, the College of Consultors, the Council of Priests, and the Archdiocesan Real Estate Advisory Committee.

Financial Aspects of the Delaware County Transaction

Today, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell the property to Cardinal Crossing Realty Associates, LP (CCRA), headquartered in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. CCRA will seek to develop the property for commercial and residential usage. This transaction will require Vatican approval, which has been granted to the Archdiocese in other instances.

Mr. Walter D'Alessio, Chair of the Archdiocesan Real Estate Advisory Committee, said, "Numerous offers for the property on Sproul Road were evaluated. It's critical to understand that important factors beyond price were considered when evaluating these offers. Cardinal Crossing Properties proposed a deal with a comprehensive development plan, absent of significant contingencies that appropriately considered the expectations of local government agencies. They also expressed a willingness to close the transaction in a timely fashion and they will work within the context of the challenges being faced by Catholic Social Services. The committee felt that the offer presented by Cardinal Crossing was the strongest one received when all factors are considered."

Upon closing, and subject to the satisfaction of contractual conditions, CCRA will provide payments totaling $47 million to the Archdiocese. The net proceeds available after closing costs will be applied to lessen the previously disclosed underfunding noted in the Archdiocesan Trust and Loan Fund (i.e. via a pay down of the Trust and Loan promissory note).

Impact on Current Cardinal Krol Center Residents and Employees

The Archdiocese is firmly committed to providing continued care to the residents of the Cardinal Krol Center at DGV and ensuring continued employment for those working in this vital ministry. Both resident families and employees, who have been updated regularly throughout this process, received information about the announcement of sale earlier today.

Impact on Medically Fragile Residents
The Archdiocese recognized from an early stage that it was important to work in conjunction with Catholic Social Services to create a residential campus that would allow for the efficient delivery of appropriate clinical support for the approximately 30 residents of the Cardinal Krol Center who are medically fragile.

As a result, the Archdiocese has ensured provision of acreage on which to construct a mini-campus for the medically fragile men. The process of constructing a campus for these medically fragile residents will be extremely complex and the first priority is the safety and welfare of these men. It requires not only acreage, but also appropriate zoning considerations, setbacks, topography, and access to roads, utilities, and sewer lines. Additionally, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Office of Developmental Programs, which will provide necessary funding for the new residential campus, will exercise regulatory oversight for any proposed location. As such, appropriate options will be considered, including locations other than the acreage retained on the DGV site.

Future Ministerial Outreach to Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

After the completion of the sale of this property, Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will continue to partner with state and local government agencies to care for the spiritual and physical needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities in accord with the best practices set forth by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

CSS programs in this ministry encompass a broad continuum including home based care, adult foster care, employment opportunities, job training and group homes in the community. Additionally, CSS continues to operate the Divine Providence Village and Saint Edmond's Home campus based sites. Each day, vital services are provided to more than 400 individuals through the various programs outlined above.

Contextual Background Regarding the Chester County Transaction (Excess Acreage on the Site of the Saint John Vianney Center)

An additional Archdiocesan real estate asset evaluated in the effort to address underfunded balance sheet liabilities involved 55+ acres along the southeast corner of U.S. Route 30 and Woodbine Road in Downingtown (Chester County), which form a portion of the Saint John Vianney Center campus (SJVC).

Financial Aspects of the Chester County Transaction

Today, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that it has sold this parcel on the SJVC property to Woodbine Partners, L.P. (WP) in September 2014. WP is currently considering its plans for the future use of this land. The acreage involved in this transaction was excess land that is not essential to the operations of SJVC.

Net proceeds after closing costs of approximately $3.7 million were allocated to Priests' Pension obligations.

Future Operations of the Saint John Vianney Center

After the completion of the sale of this property, Saint John Vianney Center will continue in its mission without interruption of services. SJVC will retain all of its current buildings on approximately 15 acres of land.

Contextual Background Regarding the Northampton County Transaction (The Mary Immaculate Center)

Another Archdiocesan real estate asset evaluated in the effort to address underfunded balance sheet liabilities involved the Mary Immaculate Center property, which is situated on 454 + acres in Northampton (Northampton County). The property was originally purchased by the Vincentian Fathers in 1936. This religious order opened a seminary on the grounds in 1939. In 1990, the Vincentians closed the seminary and sold the property to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

In turn, the Archdiocese utilized the buildings and grounds for the Spirituality Year Program component of its own program of priestly formation from 1991 to 2005. Until 2009, the Mary Immaculate Center was available to various groups for spiritual retreats. The Archdiocese closed the facility at that time as it was not self-sustaining and could not generate enough income to meet ongoing maintenance and utility costs, which have been subsidized by the Archdiocese since the closure of the center.

Financial Aspects of the Northampton County Transaction

Today, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell the Mary Immaculate Center property to David T. Davis, who is currently determining its future use.

The sale price is $5.5 million. The transaction is expected to close, after satisfaction of contractual conditions, sometime in early 2015. The net proceeds available after closing costs will be applied to lessen the previously disclosed underfunding noted in the Archdiocesan Trust and Loan Fund (i.e. via a pay down of the Trust and Loan promissory note).

# # #

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

World Meeting Of Families- Philadelphia 2015 Launches Spanish Facebook And Twitter: Encuentro Mundial De Las Familias - Filadelfia 2015 And @wmf2015es The Spanish-language Facebook And Twitter Pages Will Provide A More Robust Social Media Experience For The Global Spanish-speaking Population

October 2, 2014

World Meeting of Families- Philadelphia 2015 Launches Spanish
Facebook and Twitter: Encuentro Mundial de las Familias
- Filadelfia 2015 and @WMF2015ES

The Spanish-language Facebook and Twitter pages will provide a more robust social media
experience for the global Spanish-speaking population


Philadelphia, PA (October 2, 2014) - The World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 today announced the launch of the new Spanish versions of the conference's Facebook and Twitter account: Encuentro Mundial de las Familias - Filadelfia 2015 and @WMF2015ES. Created to fully engage the global Spanish-speaking population, these additional social media pages will provide an enhanced, user-friendly experience by offering information and updates in the Spanish language regarding this triennial event, which will be held in Philadelphia on September 22-27, 2015.

"With the majority of the world's Catholics located in the Latin America region and more than half of U.S. Hispanics identifying as Catholic, we are thrilled to launch social media pages that cater to the international Spanish-speaking community," said Lizanne Magarity Pando, Director of Marketing and Communications for the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015. "Encuentro Mundial de las Familias - Filadelfia 2015 and @WMF2015ES will deliver essential information related to the conference as well as distribute faith-filled news and messages that will engage both religious and non-religious families. We invite the Spanish-speaking population to share their excitement about the event, post their family experiences and photos and join us in prayer."

For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia next September, please visit www.WorldMeeting2015.org. You can also engage the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 on Facebook (World Meeting of Families 2015) (Encuentro Mundial de las Familias - Filadelfia 2015), Twitter (@WMF2015) (@WMF2015ES) and Instagram (WMF2015).

About the World Meetings of Families
Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.

###

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

First Annual African Heritage Mass Highlights African Culture In Song And Prayer

October 6, 2014

FIRST ANNUAL AFRICAN HERITAGE MASS HIGHLIGHTS AFRICAN CULTURE IN SONG AND PRAYER



Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Office for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees is sponsoring the first annual African Heritage Mass commemorating the rich heritage and diversity of the African Catholic community of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Father Livinus Ugochukwu will be the celebrant.

Sunday, October 19, 2014
2:00 p.m.
Saint Cyprian Church
525 Cobbs Creek Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19143


The Mass will be multi-lingual and multicultural, representing the linguistic and cultural diversity of Africa. Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Congo, and Ivory Coast are some of the African communities that will be represented at the Mass. The Mass will include four African choirs.

Participants are encouraged to wear traditional attire of their countries of origin.

###


Editor's Note: For more information please contact the Office for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees at 215-587-3540.

Contact
Annie Korp
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

Archdiocese To Celebrate 9th Annual Hispanic Heritage Mass

October 7, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE TO CELEBRATE
9TH ANNUAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MASS



As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will celebrate its 9th Annual Hispanic Heritage Mass. Monsignor Jorge de los Santos, Vicar for Hispanic Ministry in the Archdiocese of Denver, Colorado, will be the main celebrant and homilist.

Sunday, October 12, 2014
2:00 p.m. (Procession)
2:30 p.m. (Mass)
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103


The Hispanic Heritage Mass commemorates the heritage and diversity of the Hispanic Catholic community in the Philadelphia region. Participants are encouraged to dress in the traditional attire of their countries of origin.

The Mass is sponsored by the Office for the Vicar for Cultural Ministries and the Office for Hispanic Catholics. All are invited to attend.


# # #


Editor's Note: For more information, please contact the Office for Hispanic Catholics at 215-667-2820.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Announces Closure Of Saint Peter Claver Center For Evangelization Announcement Comes As Result Of Demographic Shifts In The Black Catholic Population; Evolving Ministerial Outreach To Meet These Changes; And Self-sustainability Challenges

October 9, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF
SAINT PETER CLAVER CENTER FOR EVANGELIZATION

Announcement comes as result of demographic shifts in the black Catholic population; evolving
ministerial outreach to meet these changes; and self-sustainability challenges



Contextual Background Regarding Today's Announcement
Since 1986, the former Saint Peter Claver Parish church building, located at 12th and Lombard Streets in Philadelphia, has been home to the Saint Peter Claver Center for Evangelization. For nearly 30 years, the Center has carried on the ministerial outreach of the former Saint Peter Claver Parish by serving the spiritual, pastoral, and temporal needs of black Catholics from across the Archdiocese through the celebration of the Holy Mass, the offering of retreats, and regular community service projects.

In 2012, it was announced that the ministry of the Saint Peter Claver Center would cease as part of strategic actions being taken by the Archdiocese to address its core operating deficit. That decision was ultimately appealed by the Office for Black Catholics and the ministry continued.

However, and due largely to demographic shifts over the past two decades, the center has been utilized less and less with each passing year. Ministerial outreach to the black Catholic community has evolved to meet these changes over time. As a result, historically black Catholic parishes throughout the Archdiocese, as well as other parishes ministering to recently arrived immigrant African communities, have been providing liturgies and programs at the local level for a number of years. The result has been the under-utilization of the Saint Peter Claver Center. For example, less than 15 faithful currently attend the Mass that is celebrated at the Center on a monthly basis and programs are sparsely attended.

Today's Announcement
While the Center has been able to financially support its programs via a grant from the Black and Indian Missions in recent years, it does not have the resources to absorb costs associated with necessary deferred maintenance for the buildings. Additionally, the Secretariat for Evangelization, which oversees the Office for Black Catholics, is not able to provide an ongoing subsidy for maintenance issues without jeopardizing the stability of vital ministerial outreach programs to the many communities entrusted to its pastoral care. Furthermore, the Archdiocese, which is still in the process of restoring its fiscal foundation, is not able to guarantee funds for the physical care of the Center.

Given the factors outlined above, the Saint Peter Claver Center for Evangelization will close effective Friday, October 31, 2014. No jobs will be impacted by this announcement. It is envisioned that the property, which is owned by the Archdiocese, will be marketed for sale in the near future. It is important to note, however, that net proceeds from any possible sale will be designated for the sole purpose of supporting ongoing ministry to the black Catholic community.

Future Ministerial Outreach to the Black Catholic Community
Moving forward, the portion of the budget from the Office for Black Catholics that had been designated to support the Saint Peter Claver Center's programs, along with the grant money from the Black and Indian Missions, will be reallocated to support ministry to black Catholics in various other ways.

The Office for Black Catholics will continue to fulfill its mission by working closely with parishes as they minister locally to black Catholics throughout the region. Additionally, it will continue to support vocations to the Priesthood; collaborate in the work of the Ministry to African-American Catholics Certificate Program as well as the Institute for Black Catholic Studies; oversee the Kujenga retreat program for youth; and maintain relations with the Knights of Saint Peter Claver and the Saint Martin de Porres Foundation.

# # #

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Announces Continuation Of Parish Area Pastoral Planning Initiative 14 Parishes In Philadelphia, Delaware And Montgomery Counties Will Enter The Parish Area Pastoral Planning Initiative This Year

October 12, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA ANNOUNCES
CONTINUATION OF PARISH AREA PASTORAL PLANNING INITIATIVE

14 parishes in Philadelphia, Delaware and Montgomery counties
will enter the Parish Area Pastoral Planning Initiative this year



The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced today the continuation of the Parish Area Pastoral Planning Initiative with 14 parishes in Philadelphia, Delaware and Montgomery Counties entering the process. It is designed to allow groups of parishes within close geographic proximity, known as Pastoral Planning Areas (PPAs), to undertake a program of self-study. It is led by the pastors in conjunction with parish leadership, parishioners, and the Archdiocesan Strategic Planning Committee (ASPC).

The need for this process was outlined in a pastoral letter from the Fall of 2010 which called on all parishes in the Archdiocese to determine if they possess the resources necessary to accomplish their roles in the mission of Christ while remaining sustainable and vibrant faith communities. It is hoped that the end result will be the strongest possible parishes that are poised for stability, growth, and service to God's people now and far into the future throughout the five-county Archdiocese.

The work of Parish Area Pastoral Planning is conducted in multiple stages. It involves a review of information related to demographic, financial and spiritual activity followed by consultation with parish leadership, parishioners and the ASPC. Finally, recommendations are made for the future. In some cases these recommendations may involve parish mergers. In other cases there may be no change in parish structures but would include a plan to assure future sustainability and pastoral vibrancy.

Every outcome is based on a combination of factors, including, but not limited to, demographic shifts in Catholic populations, concentrated density of parishes in a limited geographic area, history of Mass attendance and sacramental activity, increasing economic challenges that threaten sustainability, a decrease in the availability of clergy to staff parishes and a review of facilities.

The ASPC, made up of lay persons, priests and Archdiocesan personnel, assists all parishes within the Archdiocese in gauging their viability and in assessing whether they possess the resources to accomplish their role in the mission of the Church while remaining sustainable and vibrant faith communities.

Parish Area Pastoral Planning is designed to be as collaborative and consultative as possible. Its goal is to provide pastors, after consulting their parish leadership, with the opportunity to dialogue with members of the ASPC in providing joint recommendations for parish growth and sustainability within their respective geographic areas.

During the process additional steps are taken to be as inclusive as possible. In the majority of cases, the regional bishop and the dean meet with the pastors as well as their pastoral and finance councils to hear their concerns and receive their recommendations which are brought before the ASPC and the Council of Priests for their observations and recommendations. Input and consultation from all of these groups is provided to the Archbishop who makes the final decisions. The work associated with this round of planning will be ongoing throughout the next several months. Final results will be announced in late Spring of 2015.

Information regarding the Pastoral Planning Initiative was shared with all affected parish communities through announcements at masses during the weekend of October 11th and 12th as well as through letters mailed to all registered parishioners at their homes.

Parishes Undergoing Study

Delaware County


PPA 330 (portion)
Saint Francis of Assisi (Springfield)
Holy Cross (Springfield)
Saint Kevin (Springfield)

Montgomery County


PPA 420 (portion)
Saint Alphonsus (Maple Glen)
Saint Anthony of Padua (Ambler)
Saint Catherine of Siena (Horsham)
Saint Genevieve (Flourtown)
Holy Martyrs (Oreland)
Saint Joseph (Ambler)

Philadelphia


PPA 570

Saint Adalbert (Port Richmond)
Saint George (Port Richmond)
Mother of Divine Grace (Port Richmond)
Nativity BVM (Port Richmond)
Our Lady Help of Christians (Port Richmond)

# # #


Editor's Note: The Parish Area Pastoral Planning Initiative should not be seen as a process of closure, but rather one of creating and maintaining vibrant parish communities. There are currently 219 parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. When the Pastoral Planning Initiative began there were 266 parishes. When this round of study is completed, there will be 125 remaining parishes in 24 Pastoral Planning Areas which have yet to engage in the process. More information regarding the Pastoral Planning Initiative can be found here: http://archphila.org/conversion/conversion_index.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Nutritional Development Services Is Cooking Up A Celebration For School Lunch Week Special Event At Holy Cross School Aims To Get Kids Excited About Eating Healthy

October 13, 2014

NUTRITIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES IS COOKING UP
A CELEBRATION FOR SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK

Special event at Holy Cross School aims to get kids excited about eating healthy


Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will celebrate National School Lunch Week with a special day at Holy Cross School in the Mount Airy section of the city. On Wednesday, October 15th, students will receive nutrition puzzles, coloring sheets and stickers to remind them of the importance of eating healthy at school and at home. A proclamation celebrating National School Lunch Week will also be read at lunchtime in the school cafeteria.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014
National School Lunch Week Proclamation
11:30 a.m.
Holy Cross Parish School
144 East Mount Airy Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19119


Holy Cross joins over 90 other Catholic elementary schools, Independence Mission Schools, as well as charter and private schools in the five-county-area making healthy meals available to its students under the sponsorship of Nutritional Development Services.

Serving more than 31 million children every school day, the federally-funded National School Lunch Program provides nutritionally balanced, healthy meals to students. The program, which has been serving the nation's children for over 60 years, requires school meals to meet the USDA's new nutrition standards by:
- Ensuring students are offered both fruits and vegetables every day of the week.
- Substantially increasing offerings of whole grain-rich foods.
- Offering only fat-free or low-fat milk varieties.
- Limiting calories based on the age of children being served to ensure proper portion size.
- Increasing the focus on reducing the amounts of saturated fat, trans fats and sodium.

###


Editor's Note: For more information, please contact Anne H. Ayella at 267-262-8901.
For more information about Nutritional Development Services please visit
http://www.nutritionaldevelopmentservices.org.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput To Celebrate Annual World Mission Sunday Mass This Year's Theme Is 'i Will Build My Church'.

October 14, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT TO CELEBRATE
ANNUAL WORLD MISSION SUNDAY MASS

This year's theme is 'I Will Build My Church'.



Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Annual World Mission Sunday Mass. This Mass commemorates the vital work of mission churches throughout the world and the support extended to their efforts by the faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Sunday, October 19, 2014
6:00 p.m. (Rosary for the Pontifical Mission Societies)
6:30 p.m. (Mass)
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103


Archbishop Chaput calls on all to be missionaries. He said, "Our mission, our purpose and task as Christian disciples, is simple: 'Make disciples of all nations' ( Mt. 28:19). Jesus meant exactly what he said, and he meant those words of the Gospel for all of us, including you and me. We need to bring Jesus Christ to the whole world and the whole world to Jesus Christ. Our mission flows straight from the inner life of the Trinity. God sent his Son. The Son sends his Church. And the Church sends us."

During the weekend of October 18th and October 19th, missionaries will also be speaking in several parishes throughout the five-county Archdiocese on behalf of World Mission Sunday. Missionary groups such as the Apostles of Jesus, the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, the Catholic Volunteer Network, the Divine Word Missionaries, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, the Carmelite Missionaries, the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary, representatives from the Diocese in Kabgayi in Rwanda, and others will relate the importance of their missionary work throughout the world.

After Holy Communion, Archbishop Chaput will present an award to four winners of the 2013-2014 Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) Annual Christmas Artwork Contest. The winners are Alice Medina, Saint Peter the Apostle School in Philadelphia; William Green, Saint Peter the Apostle School in Philadelphia; Gianna Mars, Regina Coeli Academy in Abington; and Sydney Scott, Regina Coeli Academy in Abington. MCA is the Pontifical Mission Society for children.

One of the students, Alice Medina, is one of 24 national winners selected from thousands of entries in the National MCA Christmas Artwork Contest. Her artwork will be displayed at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. during the Advent season. The three other students will be have their artwork displayed on each side of the main altar during the Mass.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information, please contact the Archdiocesan Pontifical Mission Societies Office at 215-587-3944 or for a complete itinerary of the World Mission Sunday Mass visit World Mission Sunday Mass.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Catholic Health Care Services Announces The Accreditation Of Its Senior Community Centers

October 15, 2014

CATHOLIC HEALTH CARE SERVICES ANNOUNCES THE ACCREDITATION OF ITS
SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTERS



Catholic Health Care Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has been awarded National Accreditation for three of its senior community centers. This accredited is made possible by the National Institute for Senior Centers (NISC) through the National Council on Aging. Each center will celebrate with an award ceremony, which will include special food and fun activities. All are invited to attend.

Saint Anne's Senior Community Center
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
10:00 a.m.
2607 East Cumberland Street
Philadelphia, PA 19125

Norris Square Senior Community Center
Thursday, October 23, 2014
9:00 a.m.
2121 North Howard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19133

Saint Charles Senior Community Center
Friday, October 24, 2014
11:00 a.m.
1941 Christian Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146


Accreditation provides official recognition that a senior center meets the nine standards of senior center operations developed by NISC.
The senior community centers of Catholic Health Care Services provide meals, social and recreational programs, health promotional services and access to social services to seniors 60 years and older.

###


Editor's Note: For more information, please contact Karen Becker at 215-854-7087.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Office For Divine Worship Provides Institute For Christian Initiation

October 15, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA OFFICE FOR DIVINE WORSHIP PROVIDES INSTITUTE FOR CHRISTIAN INITIATION



The Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Office for Divine Worship will provide the Institute for Christian Initiation. The Institute has been a very helpful and successful formation and information experience for so many over the past several years.

Saturday, November 8, 2014
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Session I)
Archdiocesan Pastoral Center Auditorium
222 North 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103


It is open to everyone and especially those directly involved with adult Christian Initiation. Parishes, high schools and colleges are encouraged to send their RCIA teams as a team. Registration deadline is October 31, 2014.

The Institute is a comprehensive, in-depth and practical seminar. The first session will be an overview of Adult Christian Initiation and period of pre-catechumenate.

###


Editor's Note: For more information on the Institute for Christian Initiation contact the Office for Divine Worship at 215-587-3537 or [email protected].

Contact
Annie Korp
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

Statement Regarding Reverend Mark J. Haynes

October 24, 2014

STATEMENT REGARDING REVEREND MARK J. HAYNES




The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has learned that Father Mark Haynes was arrested by Chester County Police. He was charged with two counts of dissemination of child pornography, two counts of possession of child pornography and two counts of criminal use of a communications device.

These charges are serious and disturbing. The Archdiocese is cooperating fully with law enforcement regarding this matter and remains fervently committed to preventing child abuse as well as protecting the children and young people entrusted to its care. Child pornography is a scourge that must be eradicated.

There were no prior indications that Father Haynes was involved in activity of this nature. Additionally, no allegations of sexual abuse of a minor have ever been lodged against him.

Father Haynes was immediately placed on administrative leave following his arrest and is no longer residing at Saints Simon and Jude Parish in West Chester, where he was assigned. Priests on administrative leave are not permitted to exercise their public ministry, administer any of the Sacraments, or present themselves publicly as priests.

Biographical Information on Reverend Mark J. Haynes
Father Haynes is 55 years old. He was ordained in 1985. He served at the following parishes, schools and offices: Saint Ann, Phoenixville (1985-1989); Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Doylestown (1989-1991); Chaplain, Archbishop Wood High School, Warminster (1990-1991); Office for Youth and Young Adults (1990-1992); Saint John of the Cross, Roslyn (1991-1994); Office of the Metropolitan Tribunal (1992-2001); Our Lady of Good Counsel, Southampton (1994-2000); personal leave (2000-2001); Saint Pius X, Broomall (2001-2005); Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Morton (2005-2009); Annunciation, B.V.M., Havertown (2009-2013); personal leave (2013); Saints Simon and Jude, West Chester (2013-2014); arrested and placed on administrative leave (2014).

To Make a Report
If anyone has information regarding Father Haynes that needs to be shared with law enforcement, please call Chester County Detective Joseph Walton at 610-344-4625.

If you would like to report a violation of The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries, contact the Archdiocesan Office for Investigations at 1-888-930-9010.

If you would like to report an allegation of sexual abuse, contact your local law enforcement agency and/or the Office for Investigations at 1-888-930-9010.

We recognize that this public notice may be painful to victims of sexual violence and exploitation. If you need support or assistance, victim services are available to you through the Victim Assistance Office of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at 1-888-800-8780 or [email protected].

###

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: Two Events That Shouldn't Be Missed: A Catholic Life Congress And An Evening With Remi Brague

October 24, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
TWO EVENTS THAT SHOULDN'T BE MISSED:
A CATHOLIC LIFE CONGRESS
AND AN EVENING WITH REMI BRAGUE




One of the tasks we all have as adult Catholics is to deepen our faith by daily prayer and to form ourselves more fully in what the Church believes. That means we need to seek out and take advantage of learning opportunities that come our way. The archdiocesan Office of the New Evangelization, led by Meghan Cokeley, has done a great job of creating those opportunities. Two of them this week deserve our special attention.

Here's the first opportunity. On Saturday morning, November 1 - All Saints' Day on the liturgical calendar - I'll celebrate the opening Mass of the 2014 Catholic Life Congress. The keynote speakers scheduled for the day are outstanding. They bring a wonderful dynamism and joy to their presentations. On the English-speaking track, Curtis Martin, founder of FOCUS (the Fellowship of Catholic University Students), will explore "A New Pentecost for a New Evangelization." And Father Robert Spitzer, S.J., former president of Gonzaga University and now president of the Magis Center for Reason and Faith, will focus on "The Person and Mission of Jesus."

Spanish-language keynoters will include Msgr. Eduardo Chavez Sanchez on "Our Lady, Star of the New Evangelization," and Mother Adela Galindo, S.C.T.J.M., on "Marriage and Family in the New Evangelization." A range of excellent breakout sessions will include, among others, EWTN host Father Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V.; Gloria Purvis, also an EWTN host and chair of Black Catholics United for Life; and Dr. Jeanne Heffernan Schindler of the Center for Cultural and Pastoral Research in Washington, D.C.

Congress registrations already exceed 900 and officially closed on October 24. But some spots may still be available, and I strongly encourage you to at least try to attend. More information can be had at http://www.phillycongress.org/. This annual gathering is one of the highlights of the archdiocesan calendar and well worth your time and attention.

Here's the second opportunity. Each year, the Office for the New Evangelization and the Office of the Archbishop cosponsor a special "Archbishop's Lecture Series" of distinguished national and international speakers. As part of this year's cycle, Princeton scholar Professor Robert George spoke earlier this fall. Later this autumn the series will include talks by author Mary Eberstadt on "How the West Really Lost God" and Dr. David L. Schindler on the "Theology of the Body, Gender Distinction, and Religious Freedom."

Each of these scholars does wonderful work. But this week, we have the special pleasure of welcoming one of today's greatest Catholic scholars, the French philosopher Professor Remi Brague.

Brague is a co-founder of the French edition of Communio, the international theological journal started by Joseph Ratzinger, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Karol Wojtyla and others. He's also the author of a wide variety of essays and books, for both academic and everyday audiences, including The Wisdom of the World, Eccentric Culture: A Theory of Western Civilization, The Legend of the Middle Ages and The Law of God: The Philosophical History of An Idea. His latest book in English - On the God of the Christians (And On One or Two Others) - explores how Christians understand the nature of God, and how we need to acknowledge the differences in Christian, Jewish and Muslim concepts of God before any meaningful dialogue can occur.

Professor Brague will speak on themes from his latest book this Thursday evening, 7 pm, October 30, in Vianney Hall at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. The general public is welcome and warmly encouraged to attend. Admission is free -- but please call Ms. Donna Huddell this week at 215.587.4510 to register in advance.

I hope to see you there!

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Media Advisory - Photo Op Archdiocesan Students And Nutritional Development Services Team Up To Fight Hunger Nearly 60,000 Pounds Of Peanut Butter And Jelly Collected To Stock Local Food Cupboards

October 31, 2014

MEDIA ADVISORY - PHOTO OP


ARCHDIOCESAN STUDENTS
AND NUTRITIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
TEAM UP TO FIGHT HUNGER

Nearly 60,000 pounds of peanut butter and jelly collected to stock local food cupboards



Nutritional Development Services (NDS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will celebrate the successful completion of its 2014 Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive in conjunction with Archdiocesan schools and various outreach programs. NDS will recognize students from Saint Monica Catholic School for their participation and continued support of NDS' PB&J drive. Saint Monica's is representing over 55 participating schools which participated in this year's PB&J collection.

Close to 60,000 pounds of PB&J have been collected since the beginning of the drive on September 8, 2014. Students will present NDS with the PB&J collected by their school.

Monday, November 3, 2014
10:00 a.m.
Saint Monica Catholic School
2500 South 16th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19145


Nutritional Development Services provides meals, food assistance and additional support to organizations serving children and the poor as an extension of the services and mission of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The PB&J drive helps keep the 40 food cupboards serviced by NDS stocked with peanut butter and jelly for the year.

Key Visuals:

- Saint Monica students presenting their contribution for the PB&J drive to NDS representatives
- Additional quantities of PB&J collected at other schools

Key Participants:

- Miss Barbara Inforzato, Principal of Saint Monica Catholic School
- Mrs. Margaret Alvarez, Mission Coordinator/5th Grade Teacher
- Saint Monica Catholic School Students
- Lorraine M. Knight, Director of Nutritional Development Services
- Anne H. Ayella, Assistant Director for Community Relations, NDS
- Denise Hopkins, Administrator for Community Food Program, NDS

# # #


Editor's Note: To find out more about Nutritional Development Services visit www.nutritionaldevelopmentservices.org.

For more information about schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia visit www.catholicschools-phl.org.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput Issues Pastoral Letter On Catholic Education And Faith Formation

November 3, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT ISSUES PASTORAL LETTER ON CATHOLIC EDUCATION AND FAITH FORMATION



On October 31, 2014, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. gathered over 3,500 Catholic school educators from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's 122 elementary schools, 17 high schools and four schools of special education as well as private Catholic and Independence Mission Schools (IMS) at the first "Archbishop's Day for Teachers and Administrators" at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The Archbishop's Pastoral Letter, "Equipping Saints," was given first to those in attendance on Friday. The full text can be read below:

Equipping Saints:
A Pastoral Letter on Catholic Education and Faith Formation


Catholic schools and faith formation programs are vital to the Catholic teaching mission and the well-being of the whole believing community. As a result, we need to reflect more deeply on what these apostolates do, not just for young people but for the entire local Church.

The goal of our educational mission here in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is simple: to equip saints for life in this world and the next. Today we continue the great witness begun many decades ago by the fourth bishop of Philadelphia, Saint John Neumann. His energy and vision encouraged parishes to open the first Catholic elementary schools, and his success became a model for Church-sponsored education in our country.

Obviously, much has changed since. Shifting demographics in the U.S. northeast, combined with new challenges to family life and an increasingly secular culture, have led to big changes in the educational needs of students and families. Catholic school structures have adapted in dramatic ways. Here in Philadelphia, the Independence Mission Schools, Faith in the Future Foundation, Business Leaders Organized for Catholic Schools (BLOCS), and Elementary Regional Boards work closely with our Secretariat for Education to ensure a better future for our Catholic schools. But our goal, with God's help and guidance, remains the same: equipping saints.


Section One
The Role of Our Teachers, Catechists and Leaders

Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers,
and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.
Pope Paul VI, Address to the Members of the Consilium de Laicis (2 October 1974)


As secularizing trends in society become more pronounced, we need teachers, catechists and administrators who are not merely professionally skilled - though this is vital - but also deeply committed to Christian virtue and Catholic faith. Lay educators, who now play such a key role in Catholic education, should be encouraged to contribute their initiative, their creativity, and their competent, conscious, and enthusiastic labor to this task.1

The Greek words en theos or "God within," remind us that the life of God within us, a heartfelt Catholic enthusiasm for our mission, is the best proof to our students that we care for them. Witnessing to the life of God in our own hearts inspires those around us to do the same. Thus, we do not ask our teachers to simply "enjoy" what they do but instead to live honestly and visibly as disciples of Jesus Christ. Being aware that Baptism by itself does not make a Christian -- living and acting in conformity with the Gospel is necessary -- the Catholic school tries to create within its walls a climate in which the pupil's faith will gradually mature and enable him to assume the responsibility placed on him by Baptism.2

Nothing has a deeper impact on students than the loving Christian relationships we create around them. Knowledge alone is nothing without meaning. Knowledge alone, without the guidance of wisdom, prudence, mercy and justice, can attack human dignity as easily as serve it. Our love for Jesus Christ is the center from which all our decisions must emanate. At the same time, Catholic education should provide a culture that encourages creative thinking and innovation. The student should be formed intellectually with the best available pedagogy, curriculum and educational resources. The genuine academic freedom that we enjoy in our teaching mission - an authentic freedom grounded in truth - commits us to delivering superior academic and moral development to our students in a way consistent with the mission of the Church.

Our teachers and catechists remain the most influential models of Christian living our students encounter outside of the family. As Pope Francis reminded a group of teachers on a recent trip to South Korea, "I would ask you to be concerned in a very special way for the education of children supporting the indispensable mission of not only the universities but of Catholic schools at every level, beginning with elementary schools where young minds and hearts are shaped in love for the Lord and his Church in the good and the true and the beautiful; where children learn to be good Christians and upright citizens."3

No Catholic teacher can form her students in moral character without a passion herself for the Gospel, a zeal for Jesus Christ, and a confidence in the truth of the Church and Catholic teaching. No Catholic educator can give to others what he doesn't have himself. If we ourselves don't believe, then we can only share our unbelief. If we're not faithfully Catholic ourselves, then we can only communicate confusion. Who we are and how we live inescapably shape the formation we give to others. This is why the Christian character and Catholic fidelity of our teachers, catechists and educational leaders are so essential to our mission.


Section Two
The Parent's Role

Education in the faith by the parents should begin in the child's earliest years. This already happens when family members help one another to grow in faith by the witness of a Christian life in keeping with the Gospel. Family catechesis precedes, accompanies and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith. Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2226


Parents are the primary educators of their children; the Church is their partner in that task. Without the conscious commitment of parents to use the opportunities the Church offers for the education of their children, our schools and our religious education programs cannot flourish.

Social changes in recent decades have complicated the role of parents and now challenge the very fabric of family life. We are keenly aware that the Church's ministry of education must support the work of our parents. Central to any effort that seeks to form young people is the relationship forged between the family and the educational institution. As the Congregation for Catholic Education stated in 2007:

This relationship appears as full participation of the parents in the life of the educational community, not only because of their primary responsibility in the education of their children, but also by virtue of their sharing in the identity and project that characterize the Catholic school and which they must know and share with a readiness that comes from within. It is precisely because of this that the educational community identifies the decisive space for cooperation between school and family in the educational project, to be made known and implemented with a spirit of communion, through the contribution of everyone, discerning responsibilities, roles and competences.4

With this in mind, we need to more vigorously encourage the active involvement of our parents and the wider community in our schools and our parishes. Opportunities exist at every level to engage our parents in the mission of Catholic education. Parents have much more to offer beyond the tasks of fundraising and volunteering. We need to be deliberate about creating ways for them to honestly critique our programs, while at the same time, we maintain a healthy autonomy to make decisions for our students. Within a respectful but candid dialogue we can show our children the very meaning of communion and develop an increasingly close bond between the values proposed by the school and those proposed by the family.5


Section Three
The Church's Role

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."
Matthew 29:16-20


The Church's mandate to teach comes from Jesus Christ himself. The Church in Philadelphia has always honored that mission. Saint John Neumann, in his Pastoral Letter of April 11, 1852, wrote:

Though circumstances do not allow us to dwell at length on the subject, we avail ourselves of this earliest opportunity to express our thanks for the efforts which have lately been made to organize parochial schools. We exhort the pastors, and all who have at heart the best interest of youth, to spare no efforts to ensure success. Whatever difficulties may at first attend, and even obstruct this most desirable undertaking, will be gradually overcome by mutual good will and cooperation.6

From her earliest days, our local Church has set the formation and education of young people as a high priority. That commitment continues today.

At the start of my ministry in Philadelphia we faced many painful decisions about our Catholic schools. But thanks to the labor of many pastors, parents and educators - too many to name - we have now begun to create the new structures and spirit that will help our schools be sustainable in the future.

As a first step, we will continually examine our financial aid and scholarship opportunities for young people. Our main partner in this effort is Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools (BLOCS), an independent charitable organization supported by companies and foundations of all sizes in the five county Philadelphia region. Since 1980, BLOCS has invested in tens of thousands of children throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, including students from some of the poorest neighborhoods in the region. Children who attend grade school, high school or the schools of special education within the Archdiocese are eligible for BLOCS scholarships. Through its own resources and additional funds generated by the State of Pennsylvania's tax credit programs, BLOCS reaches more children in more communities than nearly all other private education charities in our area.

Second, we have recommitted ourselves to Catholic urban education and made big strides in ensuring that our presence in the city does not weaken but rather grows. The Independence Mission Schools (IMS) is a non-profit organization managing a network of 17 Catholic elementary schools across the City of Philadelphia. These schools are beacons of hope to their communities; they provide a high-quality, low-cost education to more than 4,100 children of all faiths from many of the city's most underserved neighborhoods.

Third, we clearly see the need to engage civic leaders and business professionals in helping us to manage our school system. As a result, in the first of its kind Catholic educational joint venture, we have, by a management agreement with Faith in the Future Foundation, given to them operational responsibility for our 17 high schools and 4 schools of special education, as well as operational oversight of the Office of Catholic Education.

Fourth, a "Foundation for Catholic Education" has been established as a way to strengthen our elementary schools across the Archdiocese. In addition to the Executive Board of Elementary Education, this Foundation works closely with our county advisory boards to oversee the important work of sustaining our schools through the State of Pennsylvania's corporate tax credit programs.

Finally, as a local Church we remain grateful for and committed to the multiple partnerships that have been fostered over the years with local family foundations, our alumni and with our Catholic colleges and universities. Without their constant engagement in both our K-12 schools and our parish formation programs, we could not continue the mission of education in our Archdiocese.


Conclusion


While our new partnerships in recent years have been groundbreaking, a common thread defines our permanent mission: The main purpose of Catholic schools has been and always will be religious; in other words, to form students in Catholic faith, a love of God, and an abiding respect for the human person.

We place great importance on the academic excellence of our schools. And the reason is simple. A strong, well-rounded academic education helps to create mature citizens who build up the wider community. We also take great pride in our schools that exist as a service outreach in largely non-Catholic communities, welcoming students of every faith and no faith. These schools too are a vital part of our mission. In all of her social, spiritual and educational ministry, the Church seeks to benefit all persons of good will, while remaining true to her Catholic identity. We're grateful for our role in serving Philadelphia's families, especially in this year of preparation for the World Meeting of Families 2015; and we're grateful to help cultivate the next generation of Philadelphia leaders -- Catholic and non-Catholic alike.

In the end though, Catholic education is not about being "socially useful." Nor is it about good "values." The values language of social science is too thin to satisfy the human soul, and too bland for the people of Christian character and courage God wants us to be. Catholic education is about making saints; about growing the seeds of virtue and truth. Anything less cheats our students of their dignity.

God built the Church we've inherited through the labor of generations of believers. Their generosity and witness made our faith possible. It's now our turn to shape the future by the zeal we bring to our own daily witness, especially with young people. It's our turn to act. It's our turn to live our Catholic faith with all the courage and strength Jesus Christ brought to loving the Church he founded.

The Church depends first on God who will always protect her. But she also depends on you and me -- teachers, principals, pastors, deacons, religious, catechists, parents and devoted single Catholics -- to carry Christ's mission into the world. We need to remember to pray, every day, for the young people we're privileged to educate. And as we do, let's recall the reason our schools and formation programs exist. Each of our students is eternally precious and infinitely loved by God. What they learn in our classrooms, they need to see lived with joy in our lives.

+Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Philadelphia
All Saints Day
November 1, 2014


###

Footnotes:
1Lay Catholic in Schools: Witnesses to Faith, October 15, 1982 - 10
2Cf. SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL, Declaration on Christian Education," Gravissimum Educationis ", 8.
3Meeting with the Bishops of Korea at the headquarters of the Korean Episcopal Conference, August 14, 2014. Pope Francis.
4Educating Together in Catholic Schools, 48. Congregation for Catholic Schools, September 2007.
5 Educating Together in Catholic Schools, 48. Congregation for Catholic Schools, September 2007.
6 Pastoral Letter to the Clergy and Faithful of the Diocese of Philadelphia, April 11, 1852. Bishop John Nepomucene.

 

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Publishes Audited Financial Statements For Fiscal Years Ended June 30, 2014 And June 30, 2013 Core Operational Deficit Shrinks By $1.8 Million As Compared To Fiscal Year 2013. Significant Progress Is Being Made In Regard To Balance Sheet Liabilities.

November 6, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLISHES AUDITED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR FISCAL YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2014 AND JUNE 30, 2013

Core operational deficit shrinks by $1.8 million as compared to fiscal year 2013.
Significant progress is being made in regard to balance sheet liabilities.




Contextual Background
In December 2013, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia published audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013. Those financial statements disclosed a $4.9 million core operating deficit for that period exclusive of non-recurring credits and charges. That figure compared very favorably to the $17.6 million core operating deficit experienced for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. Additionally, several very significant and ongoing balance sheet liabilities that measure in the hundreds of millions of dollars were detailed.

These financial statements were for the entity designated as the "Office for Financial Services (OFS)," which is the official title for the majority of administrative offices and ministries located at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center. OFS provides administrative and programmatic support to the parishes, schools and other related ecclesiastical entities of the Archdiocese. For financial reporting purposes, it is considered a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Archdiocese.

Comparative Operating Results: Fiscal Year 2014 Versus Fiscal Year 2013
The analysis presented below compares the "Change in Net Assets Before Other Items" for fiscal years 2014 and 2013. The "as reported" deficit of $ .7 million in FY 2014 compares to an "as reported" surplus of $3.9 million in FY 2013. These amounts can be found in the Statements of Activities and Changes in Net Assets under the caption "Change in Net Assets Before Other Items" in the "Unrestricted" column. This analysis provides a meaningful comparison of each fiscal year after adjusting for the impact of items that are non-recurring in nature. All figures are in millions of dollars. Endnotes are provided with additional information on selected line items.

(in millions) FY 2014 FY 2013
Change in Net Assets Before Other Items ($ .7) $ 3.9
     
Non-Recurring Credits    
Net gain on sale of real estate assetsi (1.2) (10.3)
Net assets released from restrictionsii (2.3) (2.7)
Contribution from Cemeteries Office iii -   (2.0)
Favorable Welfare Benefits Trust experience (1.2) -  
Fidelity Insurance recovery -   (.7)
Investment Gains (.5) (.5)
     
Non-Recurring Charges    
One Time Pledges/Subsidiesiv -   2.9
Legal and Professional Feesv    1.2    1.1
Recurring deficit including depreciation expense (4.7) $ (6.4)
Depreciation expense    1.6    1.5
Recurring Deficit excluding Depreciation Expense ($ 3.1) $ (4.9)

The recurring core operational deficit of $3.1 million compares favorably to the $4.9 million for fiscal year 2013.
It is expected that the core operating deficit for fiscal year 2015 will remain below $5 million. It is the goal of the Archdiocese to eventually eliminate the core operational deficit.

Status of Significant Balance Sheet Liabilities as of June 30, 2014
As disclosed in financial statements for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2013 and June 30, 2012, the Archdiocese faces several, significant underfunded balance sheet liabilities. Those obligations included the following: The Trust and Loan Fund, The Risk Insurance Trust, The Lay Employees' Retirement Plan and the Priests' Pension Plan. Current information on the status of each of these items is provided below.

Trust and Loan Fund
Included in the financial statements for the Office for Financial Services are all assets and liabilities of the Archdiocesan Trust and Loan Fund. The Trust and Loan Fund is a cooperative deposit and loan program established for the benefit of parishes and to assure continuation of the ecclesial goals of the Archdiocese and the parishes. If a parish deposits funds in the Trust and Loan Fund, it receives a competitive interest rate. In turn, these funds are loaned by the Fund to other parishes for construction and other projects. During FY 2012, the Archdiocese executed a promissory note to the Trust and Loan Fund in the amount of $82 million, which represented the excess of deposits over assets as of June 30, 2012.

The promissory note is collateralized by specific pledged real estate assets which are documented in the note. As pledged properties are sold or monetized, net proceeds from these Trust and Loan collateral transactions will be deposited into the Trust and Loan Fund, in accordance with the provisions of the promissory note. In the event a transaction generates in excess of $20 million in net proceeds, the Archdiocese has discretion regarding alternative uses for the excess so long as remaining pledged assets are at least equal to the then outstanding principal amount owed. The Archdiocese closed the cemeteries transaction with StoneMor in May 2014 and $30 million of the net proceeds from that transaction was used to make a payment on the promissory note.

As of June 30, 2014 the unfunded obligation in the Trust and Loan Fund was as follows:

  (in millions)
Deposits $ 131.3*
T&L Fund Assets (excl. promissory note and related party receivable) 80.0
Excess of Deposits Over Assets $ 50.3
* includes approximately $800K in Trust and Loan Fund Liabilities.

As of June 30, 2013 the unfunded obligation in the Trust and Loan Fund was $79.8 million.

Insurance Fund/Risk Insurance Trust
Effective July 1, 2014, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Risk Insurance Trust ("Risk Insurance Trust") replaced the Insurance Fund. On that date the assets and liabilities of the Insurance Fund were assigned to and assumed by the Risk Insurance Trust. The Risk Insurance Trust administers the risk management program of the Archdiocese. As part of the risk management program, levels of self-insurance risk are retained. As of June 30, 2014 insurance related liabilities exceeded dedicated insurance assets, as follows:
  (in millions)
Insurance Related Liabilities $ 51.9
Insurance Related Assets (excl. prepaid expenses) 32.3
Excess of liabilities over assets $ 19.6


As of June 30, 2013 insurance related liabilities exceeded dedicated insurance assets by $30.4 million.

Lay Employees' Retirement Plan
The Lay Employees' Retirement Plan is considered a multiemployer plan for financial reporting purposes. As such, the assets and actuarially determined liabilities for these plans are not included in the OFS financial statements. The Archdiocese froze this defined benefit pension plan effective June 30, 2014. No current or former employee experienced a loss or reduction of vested benefit as a result of this action. More information regarding that announcement can be found at http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr002266.php.

While not a direct liability of OFS the amount by which the plan liability exceeds plan assets is a liability of the Archdiocese. The actuarially determined liability for this plan as of June 30, 2014 was not available as of the issue date of the OFS financial statements. A preliminary estimate of that liability is $700 million.

When the estimated liability is compared to plan assets available for benefits as of June 30, 2014 (approximately $593 million), the plan's shortfall is approximately $107 million. As of June 30, 2013, the liabilities of the LERP exceeded plan assets by $142 million.

Priests' Pension Plan
The Priests' Pension Plan is also considered a multi-employer plan for financial reporting purposes. As such, the assets and actuarially determined liabilities for this plan are not included in the OFS financial statements.

While not a direct liability of OFS, the amount by which the plan liability exceeds plan assets is a liability of the Archdiocese. As of June 30, 2014 it is estimated that the Priests' Plan liabilities (estimated at $94 million) exceeded plan assets (approximately $14 million) by approximately $80 million. As of June 30, 2013, it was estimated that the Priests' Pension Plan liabilities exceeded plan assets by approximately $92 million.

Looking Forward
The core operating deficit for FY 2014 of $3.1 million was slightly better than the deficit incurred in FY 2013 and was significantly less than FY 2012's deficit of $17.6 million. We continue to acknowledge that the core deficit needs to be eliminated completely in the very near future.

The previously announced sale of the six nursing homes and one independent living facility operated by Catholic Health Care Services ("CHCS") closed on November 3, 2014. Those facilities are now owned by Center Management Group. We anticipate that, once they are available, net proceeds - after accounting for amounts to be retained by CHCS, amounts allocated to other ministries, and transaction and other costs - will be allocated primarily to priests' pension obligations and the Risk Insurance Trust.

We are hopeful that net proceeds from previously announced real estate transactions, that have not yet closed, will be sufficient to satisfy the remaining balance on the promissory note due to the Trust and Loan Fund for the remaining $50.3 million shortfall in that fund. As disclosed previously, we will continue to fund the shortfall in the Lay Employees' Retirement Plan and project that the plan will be fully funded in 20-30 years.

At the present time no further information on other potential transactions is available. In keeping with past practice, announcements will be made publicly as transactions are completed.

Additional Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2014
The audited financial statements for OFS do not include financial results for the Office for Catholic Education, Catholic Healthcare Services, Catholic Social Services, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Catholic Charities Appeal or the Heritage of Faith-Vision of Hope Capital Campaign as all are separate entities. Audited financial statements for these entities will be published in the coming weeks.

Additionally, none of the reports released by the Archdiocese will include financial statements for individual parishes. All parishes are independent and autonomous entities.

# # #


Editor's Note:
Complete copies of the audited financial statements for the Office for Financial Services for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2014 and June 30, 2013 can be found at www.CatholicPhilly.com.


Endnotes

i In FY 2014 the amount represents the net gain resulting from the sales of several Archdiocesan properties. In FY 2013 the amount represents the gain on the sale of the Archbishop's residence.

ii The gain on the sale of the property known as "Villa St. Joseph by the Sea" in Ventnor, New Jersey was approximately $4.2 million. This amount was accounted for as a "Temporarily Restricted" gain and was reflected as such on the Statement of Activities and Changes in Net Assets for the year ended June 30, 2013. The proceeds from the sale were used for the benefit of Villa St. Joseph in Darby, Pennsylvania, a residence for retired Archdiocesan priests. Approximately $2.7 million of the gain was used for that purpose in FY 2013 and the balance was used in FY 2014. FY 2014 was also benefitted by approximately $ .7 million used to fund the Mission Schools commitment noted below.

iii The $2.0 million annual contribution from the Cemeteries Office was discontinued after FY 2013.

iv The $2.9 million includes: $1.5 million of transitional support - $750K in FY 2014 and $750K in FY 2015 - committed to the Independence Mission Schools, a non-profit organization managing 14 Catholic elementary schools; $1.0 million pledged to the World Meeting of Families event to be held in September 2015; and $370K representing the outstanding commitment to the St. Martin de Porres Catholic elementary school.

v Non-Recurring legal and professional fees is comprised of the following:
(in millions) FY 2014 FY 2013
Financial and legal costs incurred in connection with potential transactions $ .9 $ .5
Fees incurred for supplemental finance office staffing .3 .3
FY 2012 financial audit over-run costs    -      .3
  $ 1.2 $ 1.1

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Office For Black Catholics To Sponsor The 52nd Annual Saint Martin De Porres Prayer And Praise Service Celebrating The Canonization Of Saint Martin De Porres

November 7, 2014

OFFICE FOR BLACK CATHOLICS TO SPONSOR THE
52ND ANNUAL SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES
PRAYER AND PRAISE SERVICE

Celebrating the Canonization of Saint Martin de Porres



The Office for Black Catholics of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will hold its 52nd Annual Saint Martin de Porres Prayer and Praise Service to celebrate the canonization of Saint Martin de Porres, the patron saint of Universal Brotherhood. The presider of the service will be Reverend Frank Kelly, Pastor of Saint Ignatius of Loyola Parish. The homilist will be Monsignor Federico Britto, Pastor of Saint Cyprian Parish.

Sunday, November 9, 2014
3:00 p.m.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola Church
636 North 43rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104


Fellowship will follow immediately after the prayer service in the parish school hall. All are invited to attend.

Saint Martin de Porres was canonized by Pope John XXIII in 1962, making him the first saint of color in the Americas. He is known as an apostle of charity, patron of social justice, father of the sick and the poor, wonder worker of Peru, and helper in hopeless cases.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information contact Deacon Bill Bradley, Director of the Office for Black Catholics, at 215-587-3541.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

World Meeting Of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Opens Registration And Announces Keynote Speakers & Content

November 10, 2014

World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015
Opens Registration and Announces Keynote Speakers & Content




Baltimore, MD (November 10, 2014) - In remarks offered today at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Fall Assembly, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. announced that registration for the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015, which is being held September 22-25, 2015 in Philadelphia, PA, is now officially open. Individual registrants and families can register via Worldmeeting2015.org/Plan-your-visit/Register for the four day Congress at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and also book hotel rooms for Congress days through the website. Multiple registration and pricing options are available, allowing delegates to select a package that best suits their needs. There is also an option available for registrants to seek out local host families through Homestay.com via http://www.worldmeeting2015.org/plan-your-visit/places-stay/.

The World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 will offer an Adult Congress and a Youth Congress for ages 6-17. There will also be a licensed daycare for children under the age of six. The Adult Congress, for ages 18 and older, will consist of keynote presentations and breakout sessions that address the many ways in which families can strengthen their bonds, especially in the face of the significant challenges facing the family globally in the 21st century. The Youth Congress will provide interactive programs designed for young people to play, listen, serve, build, and embrace the mission of love in a family.

"The World Meeting of Families will deal with a wide range of family issues where our faith is both needed and tested," said Archbishop Chaput at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Fall General Assembly. "These are matters that affect families not only here in the United States but on a global scale. So we want to focus next year not just on the neuralgic sexual issues that seem to dominate the American media, but on things like the family and poverty, the family and addiction, the family and children with disabilities, the loss of a spouse, the effect of divorce and co-parenting, health and wellness as building blocks to preserving the family, creating real intimacy between husband and wife, the challenges of raising children, the role of grandparents, the parish as a support community for families, and similar themes. And we want to involve the whole community in this celebration, which is why we've included Jewish, Mormon, Muslim and Protestant presenters on issues that we all share - regardless of confessional divides."


In addition to announcing the opening of registration, Archbishop Chaput also spoke about the impressive roster of influential leaders and scholars that the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 will bring together to discuss the critical issues facing the family worldwide. Nearly 100 renowned speakers are expected to present and facilitate conversation among delegates. From Baptist to Jewish to Lutheran, 24 percent of the Congress presenters will represent other faith traditions and 30 percent of presenters are from outside of North America. Leading the program are keynote addresses from Father Robert Barron, founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, Rector of Mundelein Seminary, and host of CATHOLICISM; His Eminence, Seán Patrick Cardinal O'Malley, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Boston; Helen Alvaré, Professor of Law at George Mason University School of Law; Dr. Juan Francisco de la Guardia Brin and Gabriela N. de la Guardia, renowned Panamanian doctors; His Eminence, Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, Archbishop of Manila; and His Eminence, Robert Cardinal Sarah, President of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum", Archbishop Emeritus of Conakry, Guinea. Although a few breakout session speakers are still being confirmed, the majority of speakers and presentations for the Congress has been finalized and can be reviewed at http://www.worldmeeting2015.org/about-the-event/speakers/.

"The 2015 World Meeting of Families will welcome a most remarkable and dynamic group of speakers as we aimed to bring people together in faith and share a common message of love while also giving comfort and encouragement to those who may be struggling," said Dr. Mary Beth Yount, World Meeting of Families Director of Content and Programming. "When developing the programming and educational sessions, one of our goals was to create a Congress inclusive of people of all ages, all walks of life, all cultures and even other faiths so that every person might leave the conference feeling inspired by new ideas to incorporate into his/her family life. Through the grace of God and the messages shared during the Congress, we hope to reaffirm the importance of the family and strengthen its bonds on a global scale."

As the world's largest family gathering, the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 is expected to bring together 10,000 - 15,000 delegates from more than 150 nations in faith and celebration. The Congress will provide delegates the opportunity to share their thoughts, dialogue and prayers during daily Mass, devotions and breakout sessions. All sessions will focus on the myriad issues facing today's global families, including financial crises/poverty, blended families, disabilities, addiction, divorce, and interfaith marriage, with speakers from the Pontifical Council for the Family, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Foundation for Family and Futures, National Catholic Partnership on Disability, Catholic Relief Services, among others. Rooted in the 2015 Congress' theme, "Love is our mission: the family fully alive," the catechetical content and programming will emphasize the impact of the love and life of families in society.

For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia next September, please visit www.WorldMeeting2015.org. An online retail store, featuring t-shirts, hats, pins and other small mementos, is also open and can be accessed at http://wmof.myshopify.com/. You can also engage the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia on Facebook (World Meeting of Families 2015) (Encuentro Mundial de las Familias - Filadelfia 2015), Twitter (@WMF2015) (@WMF2015ES) and Instagram (WMF2015).

About World Meetings of Families
Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.

###

Contact
Ken Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

World Meeting Of Families - Philadelphia 2015 To Send 10,000 Letters From Archdiocesan Students To Pope Francis; The Office Of Catholic Education Announces Special Schedule And Curriculum Plans For Global Event

November 14, 2014

World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 to Send 10,000 Letters from Archdiocesan Students to Pope Francis; The Office of Catholic Education Announces Special Schedule and Curriculum Plans for Global Event




Philadelphia, PA (November 14, 2014) - The World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 today packaged 10,000 letters from students across the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to send to Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, in Rome, Italy. Ranging from beautifully crafted greeting cards to handwritten letters with emotionally resonant messages of love for their own families, students from across the Archdiocese created personal invitations to Pope Francis to visit Philadelphia in September 2015.

The packaged letters will be routed to Archbishop Paglia, self-proclaimed "Archbishop Mailman," who during a May 2014 Press Conference at Roman Catholic High School, encouraged students to write to Pope Francis with the promise that he would deliver their messages.

Three students representing local Catholic elementary, secondary and schools of special education were in attendance at today's event to receive recognition for their efforts from the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 and the Office of Catholic Education (OCE). After being thanked for their hard work, Emma Clift of St. Francis of Assisi (Springfield), Siani Colon of John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School (Philadelphia) and Miles Lee of St. Katherine Day School (Wynnewood) were informed that their letters had been hand-selected by the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 and OCE to be personally presented to Archbishop Paglia by Father William Donovan, the Liaison for Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M., Cap. to the Pontifical Council for the Family.

The students were then shown a photograph, sent from Father Donovan in Rome, showing Archbishop Paglia receiving a package of letters from Archdiocesan students, including Ms. Clift's, Ms. Colon's and Master Lee's.

"Every day we hear about the excitement for the 2015 World Meeting of Families, but there has been nothing more powerful than seeing the thousands of letters pour into our office asking the Holy Father to join us here," said Mrs. Donna Crilley Farrell, Executive Director of the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015. "These letters, which were written with such love, joy and care, truly showcase our students' great enthusiasm for Pope Francis and their great pride in wanting to welcome the world here next year. We are incredibly grateful that - with the help of Archbishop Paglia - Pope Francis will receive these letters and better know the joy a visit to Philadelphia would bring our students."

In addition to sending 10,000 letters, Mr. Christopher Mominey, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of Catholic Education (OCE), also officially announced that from Wednesday, September 23, 2015 to Friday, September 25, 2015 classes in Archdiocesan elementary, high school, and special education schools would be cancelled so that, teachers and families could participate in the World Meeting of Families. Archdiocesan schools have already begun preparing students for the September 2015 event through World Meeting of Families lesson plans based on the preparatory catechesis and a multitude of activities are being planned for students and families across the Archdiocese during these three days, including a region-wide Day of Service. With the decision, to cancel classes OCE aims to encourage real engagement of the World Meeting itself and its supporting programs.

"We have almost 60,000 students in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and when I walk through the halls of any one of our schools, I can feel the students' palpable excitement when we discuss a possible visit to Philadelphia by Pope Francis," said Mr. Mominey. "The World Meeting of Families is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we want to ensure that our students, with their families, have the chance to attend the many exciting events associated with it. This is a wonderful opportunity to reinvigorate families and to, hopefully, welcome a transformative world leader to our great city. To me, there is no greater learning experience for our students than participating in this truly global event."

For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia next September, please visit www.WorldMeeting2015.org. An online retail store, featuring t-shirts, hats, pins and other small mementos, is also open and can be accessed at http://wmof.myshopify.com/. You can also engage the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia on Facebook (World Meeting of Families 2015) (Encuentro Mundial de las Familias - Filadelfia 2015), Twitter (@WMF2015) (@WMF2015ES) and Instagram (WMF2015).

About World Meetings of Families
Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.

###

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Pope Francis Will Attend The World Meeting Of Families-philadelphia 2015 The Vatican Confirms The Holy Father's Visit To Philadelphia Next Year

November 17, 2014

Pope Francis Will Attend the
World Meeting of Families-Philadelphia 2015

The Vatican confirms the Holy Father's visit to Philadelphia next year




Rome, Italy (November 17, 2014) - In remarks offered today in Rome, Pope Francis formally announced his intention to attend the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015, set to be held September 22-27, 2015. This visit will mark his first to the United States as pope. He will be only the fourth reigning Pontiff to visit our nation in its history.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., and a delegation of World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 organizers were present for the announcement, which the Holy Father made at the opening of the Humanum Colloquium. Also present were Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, Bishop Jean Lafitte, and Monsignor Carlos Simon Vaszquez of the Pontifical Council for the Family, which is the co-sponsor of the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015, with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Archbishop Chaput said, "I am overjoyed by Pope Francis' announcement that he will join with us for the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia next year. A hallmark of his papacy has been a keen focus on the many challenges that families face today globally. His charisma, presence and voice will electrify the gathering."

"As I've said many times before, I believe that the presence of the Holy Father will bring all of us - Catholic and non-Catholic alike - together in tremendously powerful, unifying and healing ways. We look forward to Pope Francis' arrival in Philadelphia next September and we will welcome him joyfully with open arms and prayerful hearts."


Detailed plans for Pope Francis' visit have not yet been finalized and are expected to be released in spring or summer of 2015. However, it is expected that the Holy Father will visit Philadelphia September 25 - 27, 2015 to participate in the closing events of the Eighth World Meeting of Families. These events include the Festival of Families, an intercultural celebration of family life around the world, which would be held on Saturday, September 26, and a Papal Mass to be held on Sunday, September 27. Both of these events will take place on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in the heart of Philadelphia and will be open to the public.

The World Meeting of Families is a triennial global event that seeks to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe and highlight its intrinsic value to the good of society. Being held in the United States for the first time ever, the official theme for the 2015 World Meeting of Families is "Love is our mission: the family fully alive."

For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 and Pope Francis' accompanying visit to Philadelphia, please visit www.worldmeeting2015.org.

About the World Meetings of Families
Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.

###

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Statement Of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.f.m. Cap. Regarding Pope Francis' Announcement That He Will Attend The World Meeting Of Families-philadelphia 2015

November 17, 2014

Statement of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Regarding Pope Francis' Announcement That He Will Attend
the World Meeting of Families-Philadelphia 2015



Dear Friends,

Today is one of great joy for our Archdiocese, our City, our Commonwealth and our country! It was a privilege to be in the presence of our Holy Father this morning in Rome when he announced to the world that he will be with us in Philadelphia next year for the World Meeting of Families.

This moment is an historic and exhilarating one for all of us to share. It is the answer to the countless prayers of so many people who have asked God to guide Pope Francis to Philadelphia, the culmination of many months of hopeful anticipation, and the fulfillment of my own confidence that the Holy Father would grace us with his presence next year. It will mark his first ever visit to the United States of America as pope and he will be only the fourth pope to visit our nation. Words cannot sufficiently express how overjoyed I am by this most welcome news and I know so many of you share that feeling. These are the kinds of emotions that have one source-the true love of Jesus Christ filling our hearts.

A hallmark of Pope Francis' ministry has been a genuine love for all people of good will and he has maintained a keen focus on the many diverse challenges that families face globally. I've loved and admired him since we first met at the Synod for the Americas in 1997. I know that the Holy Father's charisma, presence and voice will electrify our gathering. Regardless of confessional differences, billions around the world have been drawn to this pope. Our gathering in Philadelphia is open to all who have a generous heart. It has the power to transform, in deeply positive ways, not just the spirit of Catholic life in our region, but of our entire community. It will be a moment unlike any other.

As I've said many times before, Pope Francis' presence will bring all of us - Catholic and non-Catholic alike - together in tremendously unifying and healing ways. We now eagerly anticipate Pope Francis' arrival in Philadelphia next September. We will be ready and we will welcome him joyfully with open arms and prayerful hearts! Let us all raise our voices in thanksgiving to almighty God for the gift of Pope Francis and for the Holy Father's decision to come to Philadelphia.

+Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.

Archbishop of Philadelphia


###

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia And World Meeting Of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Joyously Celebrate News Of Pope Francis' Visit Next September

November 17, 2014

Archdiocese of Philadelphia and World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015
Joyously Celebrate News of Pope Francis' Visit Next September



Philadelphia, PA (November 17, 2014) - The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 today rejoiced as Pope Francis officially confirmed his visit to Philadelphia, PA for the Eighth World Meeting of Families, set to be held September 22-27, 2015.

The Holy Father formally announced his plans to come to Philadelphia during his opening remarks at the Humanum Colloquium, sponsored by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is currently underway in Rome, Italy. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. and a delegation of World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 organizers were present for the announcement as were Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, Bishop Jean Lafitte, and Monsignor Carlos Simon Vaszquez of the Pontifical Council for the Family, which is the co-sponsor of the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015, with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

In Philadelphia, both the Archdiocese and the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 co-hosted an event in the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art, which will serve as the backdrop for the World Meeting of Families' Festival of Families and the Papal Mass next September. Joined by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, an Honorary Co-Chair for the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015, and First Lady of the Commonwealth, Susan Corbett, the leadership for the World Meeting of Families, business and civic leaders from across the region as well as 200 Archdiocesan students celebrated the long-awaited - and now official - confirmation of Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia.

Governor Tom Corbett, Honorary Co-Chair for the World Meeting of Families -Philadelphia 2015, who was unable to attend today's celebratory event offered the following comment, "The World Meeting of Families provides the unique opportunity for all faiths to come together to reaffirm the importance of families in our communities and nation as well as part of the family of humanity. Pope Francis' presence will be an incomparable spiritual moment, and a moment of grace and tremendous pride for Philadelphia, for Pennsylvania, and for our nation."

"To have Pope Francis make his first trip to the United States and to have him come to our Commonwealth is an incredible blessing and an incredible opportunity," said First Lady Susan Corbett. "Philadelphia and all of Pennsylvania have so much to offer culturally, recreationally and historically and we welcome the chance to share it with the world."

Echoing Governor and Mrs. Corbett's sentiments, Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter, said, "This is a singular and spectacular moment for the City of Philadelphia. I vividly remember our leadership delegation's meeting with Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square and our invitation to the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection on behalf of millions. His response was so humbling in that he asked us to pray from him, and ever since, I have. But I have also prayed for his willingness to visit Philadelphia and to share in the goodness of this special place and its people. I know many others have done the same. Today these prayers are answered and we enthusiastically prepare to welcome him next September for what will be a once-in-a-generation moment for our city and region."


The Holy Father's visit will mark his first to the United States and he will be only the fourth reigning Pontiff to visit our nation in its history. The planning and execution of the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 had anticipated a papal visit and with today's confirmation, the organizing body will now aggressively move forward with that planning in advance of Pope Francis' visit in September 2015.

Commented Daniel J. Hilferty, President and CEO of Independence Blue Cross and a Co-Chair of the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Executive Leadership Cabinet, "What a moment for all of us who love Philadelphia and champion it as a world-class city. In just 10 months, we will welcome visitors from around the globe - and now officially Pope Francis, who has not only reinvigorated the Church but has inspired conversations across all faiths. We must seize this wonderful opportunity as a moment of civic pride and deliver an event for the world that we all know we can. While the World Meeting of Families spans just six-days, we must ensure that Philadelphia not only embraces the global stage but remains on it for years to come after his visit."

Sponsored by the Holy See's Pontifical Council for the Family, the World Meeting of Families is a triennial global event that seeks to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe and highlight its intrinsic value to the good of society. Being held in the United States for the first time ever, the official theme for the 2015 World Meeting of Families is "Love is our mission: the family fully alive." The gathering in 2015 is the first World Meeting of Families to be held during Pope Francis' papacy.

"I am delighted to know that all of our significant preparation and work for this global event will be witnessed and blessed by the Holy Father himself," said Mr. Robert J. Ciaruffoli, President of the World Meeting of Families. "Although much has been accomplished, there is still much to be done. This official confirmation from Pope Francis allows us to more deeply engage the planning process and to begin to fully envision what this event can be so that Philadelphia and the Commonwealth shine for the entire world to see."

For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 and Pope Francis' accompanying visit to Philadelphia, please visit www.worldmeeting2015.org.


About the World Meetings of Families
Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.


###

Contact
Kenneth A Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary To Host 27th Annual Christmas Concert And Open House

November 24, 2014

SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY TO HOST
27TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT AND OPEN HOUSE




Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary welcomes all to attend an Open House followed by an evening of religious music and prayer during this year's Advent season at the 27th annual Christmas Concert.

Sunday, December 7, 2014
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Open House)
4:00 p.m. (Concert)
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
100 East Wynnewood Road
Wynnewood, PA 19096 (Montgomery County)


Future priests will guide tours through this historic Catholic landmark where visitors can view artwork treasures from the Seminary's collection, explore the daily life of seminarians and learn about educational programs open to the general public. Tours last one hour and begin at 1:00 p.m. The final tour starts at 3:00 p.m. Refreshments are available afterwards.

Christmas crèches will be on display before the concert in the Ryan Memorial Library featuring dozens of Nativity scenes from around the world. The concert will begin at 4:00 p.m. and will feature the musicians and choir of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Both events are free and open to the public. Parking is available on the Seminary campus. A free will offering will be collected at intermission for a local charity.

# # #


Editor's Note: Founded in 1832, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary has been forming men for priestly service in the Catholic Church for more than 180 years. For more information on the Christmas Concert or Open House, please call 610-667-3394 or visit http://www.scs.edu/event/christmas-concert#sthash.LFmmO6Js.dpuf/

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Holds 27th Annual Retirement Fund For Religious Collection

November 25, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA HOLDS 27TH ANNUAL
RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS COLLECTION




The 27th Annual Retirement Fund for Religious Collection will be held at parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on the weekend of December 6-7, 2014. This effort is coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office and offers financial support for the day to day care of over 35,000 senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests throughout the country.

Last year, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia contributed over $133,000 to this collection. In 2014, local religious orders received a combined total of over $1.4 million dollars in financial assistance made possible by the national appeal.

The Retirement Fund for Religious Collection was initiated in 1988 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States to address the significant lack of retirement funding among Catholic religious communities in the United States. Proceeds are distributed to eligible communities to help underwrite retirement and health-care expenses. Nearly 94 percent of every donation directly supports senior religious and their communities.

# # #

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

World Meeting Of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Debuts Official Hymn For September 2015 Event Entitled "sound The Bell Of Holy Freedom," The Hymn Will Serve As The Musical Cornerstone For Celebration Of This Triennial Global Event

December 1, 2014

World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Debuts
Official Hymn for September 2015 Event

Entitled "Sound the Bell of Holy Freedom," the hymn will serve as the musical cornerstone for
celebration of this triennial global event




Philadelphia, PA (December 1, 2014) - The World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015, being held September 22-27, 2015, and featuring Pope Francis' first visit to the United States, has debuted the official hymn for this international gathering. Entitled "Sound the Bell of Holy Freedom," the hymn draws inspiration from the theme for the 2015 World Meeting of Families, "Love is our mission: the family fully alive," as well as the Roman Missal and Sacred Scripture. It was first performed by the Cathedral Choir during the Offertory Procession of the November 30th Sunday evening Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul celebrated by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.

Selected by a committee led by Auxiliary Bishop John J. McIntyre; Father G. Dennis Gill, Director of the Office for Worship of the Archdiocese; and Dr. John Romeri, Director of Music for the Archdiocese; "Sound the Bell of Holy Freedom" was formally approved as the official hymn by the Pontifical Council for the Family, the co-sponsor of the 2015 World Meeting of Families with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

The hymn tune, PHILADELPHIA, was written by composer Normand Gouin, former music director at Old St. Joseph in Philadelphia, who currently serves as a Musician and Liturgist at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. The text was penned by Fr. Andrew Ciferni, O.Praem, a nationally-known liturgist, teacher and scholar who is a native of South Philadelphia.

"Following the joyous news that Pope Francis will join us in Philadelphia next year, this hymn will further inspire all of us as we prepare for the 2015 World Meeting of Families," said Archbishop Chaput. "This event has the power to transform the lives of families - both Catholic and non-Catholic alike - in positive and charismatic ways. I'm confident that this hymn will affirm that spirit. With its powerful words and melody, 'Sound the Bell of Holy Freedom' is an excellent choice for our official hymn and I hope it encourages all who hear it to deepen their daily relationship with God and with their own families in significant ways."

In addition to the official hymn for the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015, a second hymn, "Look Up and Count the Stars," has also been selected for use throughout the week-long conference and masses. Music and text for this hymn were written by Dr. Peter Latona, Music Director for the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

For more information about the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015, its official hymn or to register for the conference, please visit worldmeeting2015.org.

The World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Official Hymn

"Sound the Bell of Holy Freedom"

Sound the bell of holy freedom; call all nations of the earth.
Sons and daughters of one Father, sent to spread God's saving Word.
Come, and gather, as one fam'ly at the table of the Lord.

David branch from root of Jesse, Mary that vine's flow'ring rose.
She brought forth for us the Savior as the angel did propose;
Overshadowed by the Spirit, by her "yes" new life arose.

Blessed Joseph, spouse of Mary, teacher of your God and Lord,
You did shelter and provide for wondrous child by kings adored.
Open to God's Word in dreaming saved your child from Herod's sword.

Jesus, youth in low'ly Naz'reth, faithful son, and loving child,
Guest and host at Cana's wedding, finest wine you did provide.
You, our rock, and you our shelter, keep us ever by your side.

At the cross, a grieving mother, on the cross, her only son,
With all mothers and their children, Blessed Mary, you are one.
In our joys, and in our sorrows may we do as you have done.

Sound the bell of holy freedom; call all fam'lies of the world
To be fed by love incarnate; to proclaim God's holy Word;
Through the love of Christ our brother, in the Spirit make us one.


Text: Andrew D. Ciferni, O. Praem, b. 1942
Tune: PHILADELPHIA, 8 7 8 7 8 7: Normand Gouin, b. 1970
World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015

About the World Meetings of Families
Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.

###

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Annual Archbishop's Christmas Benefit For Children Marks Its 58th Year

December 3, 2014

ANNUAL ARCHBISHOP'S CHRISTMAS BENEFIT
FOR CHILDREN MARKS ITS 58TH YEAR



The 58th Annual Archbishop's Christmas Benefit for Children will host 450 young people who receive services from over a dozen programs administered by Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. They represent approximately 16,000 children across the Delaware Valley who benefited from residential and community-based programs offered by Catholic Social Services this year, including children with disabilities, at-risk children, and dependent or court-adjudicated youth.

The theme for this year's Archbishop's Christmas Benefit for Children is "A Christmas Carol." The Catholic Community Choir will sing songs from A Christmas Carol and act out parts of the story. Archdiocesan high school students will participate in this year's event by serving as Santa's elves and distributing presents.

Thursday, December 18, 2014
2:00 p.m.
Sheraton Philadelphia Center City Hotel
17th Street between Race and Vine Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19103


1:00 p.m. Saint Charles Borromeo Parish Choir sings carols in the lobby as children arrive
1:30 p.m. The All Catholic Jazz Band performs as children enter ballroom
1:45 p.m. Saint Helena-Incarnation Bell Choir plays "Joy to the World"
2:00 p.m. Archbishop Chaput arrives and greets children followed by a performance by the DePaul School Spirit Dancers
2:10 p.m. Catholic Community Choir performs songs from A Christmas Carol
2:25 p.m. Santa arrives to greet the children
2:35 p.m. Santa's elves distribute gifts

More than just a one-time party for a few hundred children, the Archbishop's Christmas Benefit for Children raises funds to support programs of Catholic Social Services that daily serve children throughout the year. Catholic Social Services assists more than 162,000 children, adults and families of all faiths throughout the five-county area of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

# # #


Editor's Note: For more information or to make a donation in support of the Archbishop's Christmas Benefit for Children, please visit www.archbishopschristmasbenefit.org/

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

World Meeting Of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Seeks Host Families For September 2015 Congress & Papal Visit

December 3, 2014

World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Seeks
Host Families for September 2015 Congress & Papal Visit




Philadelphia, PA (December 3, 2014) -World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 is reaching out to residents from across the Philadelphia Metropolitan region including South Jersey, Delaware, and the Lehigh Valley to participate in the "Host a Family" Program. In partnership with global travel company, Homestay.com, this accommodation alternative provides residents within 120 miles of Philadelphia the opportunity to open their homes and offer lodging to visitors from across the country and around the world for the 2015 World Meeting of Families. More than 10,000 delegates from 150 nations are expected to attend the Congress, which will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center from Tuesday, September 22 to Friday, September 25, 2015. The Congress will be followed by a visit from Pope Francis to Philadelphia September 26 to 27, 2015, which is expected to draw upwards of two million visitors to the city. Host a family registration is now open and new hosts are registering daily; guests will have the opportunity to book available accommodations as early as January of 2015.

Homestay.com's technology, which powers the "Host a Family" program on WorldMeeting2015.org, provides hosts with a secure platform for providing accommodations to both domestic and international visitors attending the World Meeting of Families. From young professionals to retirees, females to males, individuals to families, Homestay.com offers a variety of ways in which to participate as a host family for the World Meeting of Families 2015. Hosts can register a guest bedroom, a furnished apartment or even a shore house, as long as it falls within a 120 mile radius of Center City Philadelphia.

"The excitement for the World Meeting of Families and Pope Francis' visit cannot be overstated," said Donna Crilley Farrell, Executive Director for the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015. "The response to the opening of registration and confirmation of the Papal visit has been tremendously positive and we will need every housing option available. We are excited that Homestay.com offers this alternative. They are an internationally recognized and trusted brand that will provide a terrific, cost-effective housing option through the 'Host a Family' initiative. We often pride ourselves on the 'brotherly love and sisterly affection' that defines our region. Truly, 'Host a Family,' through Homestay.com, is an excellent way to show exactly that by offering our visitors a unique and authentic living experience."

Those interested in becoming a host family for the World Meetings of Families - Philadelphia 2015 can register for free through an easy step-by-step online registration process via http://bit.ly/hostafamily. Information detailing the program, host family requirements and responsibilities, compensation, and cancellation are available via video and extensive FAQ at WorldMeeting2015.org.

Commented Alan Clarke, CEO of Homestay.com, "'Host a Family' is the perfect tool to deliver alternative accommodation choices for World Meeting of Families visitors as well as match like-minded hosts and guests. What Homestay.com offers aligns well with the mission of the 2015 World Meeting and with the philosophy of Pope Francis, by encouraging community and promoting family. We believe that 'Host a Family' can enhance and enrich the cultural experience for Congress attendees while also providing a most genuine Philadelphia visit."

For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia next September, please visit WorldMeeting2015.org. An online retail store, featuring t-shirts, hats, pins and other small mementos, is also open and can be accessed at WMOF.MyShopify.com. You can also engage the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 on Facebook (World Meeting of Families 2015) (Encuentro Mundial de las Familias - Filadelfia 2015), Twitter (@WMF2015) (@WMF2015ES) and Instagram (WMF2015).

About World Meetings of Families
Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.

About Homestay.com
Homestay.com, named one of Europe's top three travel innovators by PhoCusWright, is a Dublin-based firm pioneering new ways to enjoy experiential accommodation choices through a "hosted travel experience" homestay model. Moving this largely offline industry online, Homestay.com has also pioneered the "pop-up" homestay network, designed to solve acute accommodation shortages, mitigating price rises, and to help local communities benefit from large-scale local events. Homestay.com is a limited company and has raised venture capital funding through Delta Partners Ltd. The company also provides the Homestay Manager software to Homestay agencies and host families worldwide. Homestay.com chairman is Paddy Holahan, the founder and CEO of Newbay. CEO is Alan Clarke, formerly of Yahoo! and McKinsey and Company.

###



Contact
Ken Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

6th Annual Feast Of The Seven Fishes To Benefit Catholic Charities Appeal And The Archbishop's Christmas Benefit For Children

December 5, 2014

6th ANNUAL FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES TO BENEFIT
CATHOLIC CHARITIES APPEAL AND THE
ARCHBISHOP'S CHRISTMAS BENEFIT FOR CHILDREN




The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 are proud to participate in the 6th Annual Feast of the Seven Fishes Dinner presented by Talk Radio 1210 WPHT and benefitting the Catholic Charities Appeal as well as The Archbishop's Christmas Benefit for Children.

Monday, December 15, 2014
6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Vie Restaurant
600 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130


Dom Giordano will host special guests including Auxiliary Bishop John J. McIntyre, Executive Director for the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Donna Crilley Farrell, former United States Congressman and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Allen West, and other local guests from the world of politics, entertainment and sports. A quartet will play holiday music in between portions of the program while attendees enjoy a traditional Italian seafood feast.

A portion of proceeds will benefit the Catholic Charities Appeal and The Archbishop's Christmas Benefit for Children. To purchase tickets visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/feast-of-the-seven-fishes-2014-tickets-14136944983. A live broadcast of the evening is available at http://betaplayer.radio.com/player/talk-radio-1210-wpht.

# # #


Editor's Note: The Catholic Charities Appeal feeds, clothes, shelters, and educates more than 200,000 people across our region every year, regardless of their faith. To learn more about the Appeal, visit http://catholiccharitiesappeal.org/.

The Archbishop's Christmas Benefit for Children is an annual fundraising initiative that raises critically needed funds for the continuing support of programs that benefit children suffering from neglect, poverty, and continued abuse. This year's event will be held on December 18th. To learn more, visit http://www.archbishopschristmasbenefit.org/.

Contact
Stephanie Brophy
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Honoring Our Lady Of Guadalupe With Las Mañanitas Pilgrimage From Philadelphia Parishes To Cathedral Basilica

December 9, 2014

HONORING OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE WITH
Las Mañanitas

Pilgrimage from Philadelphia parishes to Cathedral Basilica




Archbishop Charles J. Chaput O.F.M. Cap. will be the principal celebrant and homilist at a Mass honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Hispanic Community of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will gather in anticipation of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12th) to celebrate Las Mañanitas, a traditional serenading of Our Lady on the vigil of her feast day, followed by Mass. Full schedule of procession from parishes below.

Thursday, December 11, 2014
8:45 p.m. Mass Procession
9:00 p.m. Mass
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103


Faithful from across the City of Philadelphia will process to the Cathedral on foot from their parish. The celebration will conclude with an indoor procession in the Cathedral and a presentation of roses to Our Lady of Guadalupe. All are invited to attend.

Pilgrims from Saint Thomas Aquinas and Annunciation B.V.M. in South Philadelphia will process from Saint Thomas Aquinas Church to the Cathedral. Saint Thomas is located at 1719 Morris Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145.

Parishioners from Saint Joan of Arc Church, Visitation B.V.M Parish and Saint Michael Parish are expected to process on foot from North Philadelphia to the Cathedral. Members of Visitation B.V.M. Parish will be accompanied by a live mariachi band as they process south.

4:00 p.m.: Parishioners depart from Saint Joan of Arc Parish (2025 E. Atlantic Street, Philadelphia, PA 19134) down Frankford Avenue to Tioga Street.
4:30 p.m.: Visitation parishioners depart from "B" St. and Lehigh Ave. The Procession picks up Saint Michael parishioners (2nd and Jefferson Sts.)
Expected arrival time at the Cathedral is 8:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.: Procession from Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish to the Cathedral depart
8:00 p.m.: Arrival at the Cathedral and commencement of Las Mañanitas (serenading by
el Mariachi Flores, other musicians and the faithful)
9:00 p.m.: Mass with Mariachi Music

# # #


Editor's Note: Procession times may be subject to change. For more information, please contact Kathia Arango, director of the Office for Hispanic Catholics, at 215-667-2820.

Procession Route for Parishes in North Philadelphia:
Saint Joan of Arc parishioners will take Atlantic Street to Frankford Ave., Frankford Ave. to Tioga St., travel east on Tioga to Aramingo Ave., travel down Aramingo Ave. to Girard Ave., take Girard Ave. to 2nd St., walk down 2nd Street to Spring Garden, and travel down Spring Garden to 17th Street onto the Cathedral.

From Visitation Parish the procession will travel west on Lehigh Ave., down 2nd Street, past Saint Michael Parish (where Saint Michael parishioners will join the procession), turning right on Spring Garden, and left onto 17th Street onto the Cathedral.

Procession Route for Parishes in South Philadelphia:
Saint Thomas Aquinas and Annunciation B.V.M. parishioners will process from Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish (1719 Morris Street, Philadelphia 19145) turn right onto 18th Street to the Cathedral.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: An Advent Reflection

December 12, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
AN ADVENT REFLECTION




Advent, more than any other season of the year, is rooted in the virtue of hope.

For Catholics, the real new year begins not on January 1 but on the First Sunday of Advent, the day when the Church begins her annual new cycle of Scripture readings and worship. The season of Advent, deriving from the Latin verb advenire, meaning "to come" or "to arrive," has a two-fold purpose: first, to remind us of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and all that it implied for the salvation of the world; and, second, to ready us for Christ's second coming at the end of time as king and judge of creation. Like Lent, Advent is a time of preparation. Also like Lent, Advent is a penitential season-but not in the same strict way. Rather, Advent embodies the words of the liturgy, which remind us that "we wait in joyful hope" for the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ.

Advent is a good time to reread the 2007 encyclical Spe Salvi ("Saved in Hope"). It's a rich and challenging document, not easily absorbed in one sitting. But one of its most important lines can be found right in the opening sentences. The text reminds us that, for Christians, the virtue of hope enables us to face the burdens of daily life, no matter how heavy. It reminds us that "the present, even if it is arduous, can be lived and accepted if it leads towards a goal, if we can be sure of this goal, and if this goal is great enough to justify the effort of the journey." Faith in Jesus Christ leads us to hope for eternal life. Christ's life gives our lives meaning. If we really believe in Jesus Christ, we will have confidence in the future, no matter how bleak some days or some problems seem. For, in the end, Jesus has already won our salvation and the happiness that comes with it.

The source of the word "virtue" is revealing; it comes from the Latin noun virtus, meaning "strength." The virtue that Christians call hope is not a warm feeling, or a sunny mood, or a habit of optimism. Optimism, as the great Catholic novelist Georges Bernanos once wrote, has nothing to do with hope. Optimism is often foolish and naïve -- a preference to see good where the evidence is undeniably bad. In fact, Bernanos called optimism a "sly form of selfishness, a method of isolating oneself from the unhappiness of others."

Hope is a very different creature. It's a choice -- a self-imposed discipline to trust in God while judging ourselves and the world with unblinkered, unsentimental clarity. In effect, it's a form of self-mastery inspired and reinforced by God's grace. "The highest form of hope," Georges Bernanos said, "is despair, overcome." Jesus Christ was born in a stable and died brutally on a cross not to make a good world even better but to save a broken world from itself at the cost of his own blood. Such is the real world, our daily world, the world of Christian hope -- the world that Spe Salvi speaks to when it says that "all serious and upright human conduct is hope in action" and "the true measure of humanity is [determined by our] relationship to suffering and to the sufferer."

In the words of Spe Salvi: "To suffer with the other and for others; to suffer for the sake of truth and justice; to suffer out of love, and in order to become a person who truly loves-these are fundamental elements of humanity, and to abandon them would destroy man himself."

As we ready ourselves for the joy of Christmas this year, let's live Advent well and remember why we're called to be joyful. In the end, Christmas is not about gifts or carols or parties, though all these things are wonderful in their place. Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ, who brings meaning and hope to a world that needs redemption. In him, and only in him, is our hope.

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Statement Of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.f.m. Cap. Regarding Immigration

December 12, 2014

STATEMENT OF ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT, O.F.M. Cap.
REGARDING IMMIGRATION




Mary of Nazareth has always had a special place in the heart of the Church. She is theotokos, the "God-bearer"; Scripture's greatest human witness of courage, humility and grace. This is why Catholic life has honored her through the centuries in so many different ways: Our Lady of Consolation; Mother of Sorrows; Mother of Mercy; Our Lady of the New Advent; Queen of Heaven; Virgin Most Pure -- and in a special way today, December 12, Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of America, one continent north and south.

All of these titles are true and richly deserved. But they can sometimes obscure the human reality of Mary's life: a young woman of the rough Galilean hills, pregnant, with a seemingly implausible story before her marriage to Joseph, who gave birth to her child in the cold in a stable far from home and then, hunted by Herod, was forced to flee to Egypt. Mary - our mother; the mother of the Church - had an intimate understanding of suffering, flight, homelessness and uncertainty. At Guadalupe, Mary appeared not to the rich or powerful, or even to the local bishop, but to the poor peasant Juan Diego. Her tenderness to the poor is something we need to remember this Advent, because our Christian faith is more than a set of ideas or beautiful words. It's meant to be lived. It's meant to transform our thinking and our actions.

Which brings us to the point: Over the past six years, the current White House has taken actions that a great many faithful Catholics regard as damaging - harmful not just for people of religious faith, but for the nation at large. In deferring the deportation of many undocumented immigrants and their families, however, President Obama has done the right thing. This action prevents the break-up of families with mixed immigration status. It also protects individuals who were brought to the United States as children, and have grown up knowing only American life and nothing of their parents' native land.

For more than a decade the U.S. Catholic bishops have pressed repeatedly for just and sensible immigration policy reform. Each of our major political parties has faulted the other for inaction, and each - despite its posturing and alibis - bears a generous portion of the blame. Whatever the timing and motives of the current executive action might mean, deferring deportations serves the survival and human dignity of the families involved. And it may, finally, force the White House and Congress to cooperate fruitfully.

On this day that we honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of all of us who share this continent, we need to remember that the Holy Family too was once a family of immigrants and refugees. And we need to treat the undocumented among us with the mercy and justice we expect for ourselves.

+Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Philadelphia


Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Publishes Additional Audited Financial Statements For Various Entities For The Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2014

December 19, 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLISHES ADDITIONAL
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR VARIOUS ENTITIES
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2014


In early November, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia published audited financial statements for The Office for Financial Services, its Pastoral Center entity, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014.

At that time, the Archdiocese indicated it would publish similar statements for other, separate entities at a later date. Audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 for the following entities will be published on www.CatholicPhilly.com today at 12:00 p.m.

The audited financial statements for the Catholic Charities Appeal and the Heritage of Faith-Vision of Hope Capital Campaign will be published in the coming weeks. Additionally, none of the reports released by the Archdiocese include financial statements for individual parishes. All parishes are independent and autonomous entities.

# # #


Editor's Note: The audited financial statements for the Office for Financial Services for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 can be found at www.CatholicPhilly.com.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

World Meeting Of Families - Philadelphia 2015 And Philadelphia Zoo Surprise 4th Grader At Saint Thomas The Apostle For Her Letter Inviting Pope Francis To Philadelphia

December 19, 2014

World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 and Philadelphia Zoo
Surprise 4th Grader at Saint Thomas the Apostle for her Letter Inviting
Pope Francis to Philadelphia


Philadelphia, PA (December 19, 2014) - The World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 and Philadelphia Zoo today turned a routine school day into the surprise of a lifetime when the organizations awarded Gabriella Lupold, a fourth grade student at Saint Thomas the Apostle in Glenn Mills, PA, with a complimentary 2015 Philadelphia Zoo Membership for the Lupold Family and a special "Zoo on Wheels" presentation for her and her classmates.

The complimentary 2015 Philadelphia Zoo Deluxe Family Membership was presented to Gabriella by Donna Crilley Farrell, Executive Director of the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 and Vikram H. Dewan, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Zoo, in recognition of her beautifully crafted letter to Pope Francis. Gabriella was one of the more than 10,000 Archdiocesan students whose letters were mailed to Rome inviting Pope Francis to visit Philadelphia for the Eighth World Meeting of Families and her letter highlighted her and Pope Francis' shared passion for animals as well as her love of the Philadelphia Zoo. Showcased by several media outlets and on social media platforms during the November 14, 2014 World Meeting of Families Letter Mailing Press Conference, Gabriella's letter caught the attention of Mr. Dewan who outreached to the World Meeting of Families asking to if he could honor one of The Zoo's biggest fans.

"Part of the Philadelphia Zoo's mission is to connect people with wildlife, and when I read Gabriella's letter to Pope Francis I was tremendously moved," said Mr. Dewan. "The letter demonstrated not only that the Zoo connects people with our beautiful animals, but it gives people a platform to connect with one another - whether family, friends and even the Holy Father. The Zoo membership and our 'Zoo on Wheels' program are just small tokens of our appreciation for Gabriella's enthusiasm for the Zoo and its role within our community. We are hopeful that we might be able to welcome both her - and Pope Francis - to the Philadelphia Zoo next year."

During the surprise "Zoo on Wheels" program, Gabriella and her fellow fourth grade classmates experienced a special live animal program, called "Who's Who at the Zoo" led by a team of Philadelphia Zoo experts. The students learned about the amazing abilities and adaptations of animals from around the world and met four animal ambassadors, Oscar, a North American porcupine; Tom, a red-footed tortoise; Susie Q, a nine-banded armadillo; and Dewey, a spectacled owl. Following the program, the Saint Thomas the Apostle students had the opportunity to ask Philadelphia Zoo keepers' questions and examine multiple Zoo artifacts.

"From cultural institutions in the city of Philadelphia, such as The Zoo, to the 60,000 students of the Archdiocese, the enthusiasm for the 2015 World Meeting of Families has been absolutely breathtaking," said Mrs. Farrell. "This surprise from The Zoo truly showcases the significance of this international event and how it is bringing people together of all ages. I am grateful to Mr. Dewan for his engagement, support and willingness to create such a special moment for Gabriella and her classmates at St. Thomas the Apostle. I am also very grateful to Gabriella - and all of the students across the Archdiocese - who wrote such incredible letters to Pope Francis and helped to make his September 2015 visit a reality."

For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia next September, please visit www.WorldMeeting2015.org. You can also engage the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia on Facebook (World Meeting of Families 2015) (Encuentro Mundial de las Familias - Filadelfia 2015), Twitter (@WMF2015) (@WMF2015ES) and Instagram (WMF2015).

About World Meetings of Families
Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.

About the Philadelphia Zoo
America's first zoo and one of the region's foremost conservation organizations, the Philadelphia Zoo is home to nearly 1,300 animals, many rare and endangered. By connecting people with wildlife, the Philadelphia Zoo creates joyful discovery and inspires action for animals and habitats. The Philadelphia region's leading family destination, the Zoo welcomed more than 1.2 million visitors last year. The Philadelphia Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. For more information on the Philadelphia Zoo, to become a donor, member or to purchase and print tickets online, visit us at www.philadelphiazoo.org. Philadelphia Zoo is a non-smoking facility.

###



Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: A Christmas Truce

December 22, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
A CHRISTMAS TRUCE




Exactly 100 years ago this week, in the first months of the Great War that would begin the bloodiest century in human history, something miraculous happened. All along the Western Front, spontaneous pockets of truce broke out between German and Allied soldiers. The guns would fall silent through Christmas, and in some places, for days afterward. Enemies put down their weapons and openly fraternized, sharing food, drink and stories. Officers finally had to force their men to return to the fighting.

The 1914 Christmas truce, rooted in a common Christian faith and a shared Christian culture of Europe, never happened again. The violence, nationalisms and political extremism of the 20th century wrote the end to that miracle in blood. But for one moment in time, men at war understood their fundamental bond of brotherhood. And they honored it. A century later, it's worth remembering, if only to capture its peace for our families and for our own hearts.

Christians -- in other words, followers of Jesus Christ - celebrate December 25 not as just another secular holiday, but much more deeply as the birthday of the messiah, the guarantor of our humanity; the birthday, in the words of St. Leo the Great, of life itself.

We live in a special time of joy every Christmas season, and it has very little to do with holiday sales. Jesus Christ is Emmanuel - "God with us." Sharing presents with friends and family is a wonderful tradition that springs naturally from our Christmas happiness. But the noise of mere things should never drown out the quiet voice of God's love made flesh in the birth of Jesus. Bethlehem, for each of us individually and the world as a whole, is the beginning of something entirely new and utterly beautiful if we ask God for the purity of heart to possess it.

The world we know today is not so different from the world of the first Christmas.

For Mary, there was nothing sweet about being pregnant and unmarried in the rough countryside of Palestine. She had her faith in God, but whether she had the understanding of her local relatives and friends is a very different matter. Women of her day could be, and sometimes were, stoned for perceived adultery. The accepting love of her cousin Elizabeth would not have been widely shared.

Nor would Mary's story have been easy for her betrothed. No matter how great his faith, no matter how good his heart, Joseph still probably struggled with very human temptations to doubt. In fact, Eastern Christianity captures Joseph's confusion powerfully in many of its great icons of the Nativity. The icons often portray Joseph apart from the manger scene, with his back to the mother and child, deep in thought.

Yet, the reality is this: God loved us enough to send us -- through the faith of Mary and Joseph -- his only Son. He loved us enough to take on our poverty, our indignities and fears, our hopes, joys, sufferings and failures -- and to speak to us as one of us. He became man to show men and women how much God loves them. He was born for that purpose. He lived for that purpose. He died and rose again for that purpose.

Jesus is not simply Emmanuel, but also Yeshua, which means "God saves." When Jesus later preaches in his public ministry that "I am the way, the truth and the life," he is only restating the miracle that begins in Bethlehem. Our redeemer is born in a stable; he is born to deliver us from sin and restore us to eternal life. This was the meaning of the birth on that first Christmas.

It's never too late to invite the Christ Child into our hearts. Surely this tired and complicated world never needed a "Christmas truce" more than now. So do we -- all of us. May God grant each of us, and those we love, the gift of welcoming Jesus Christ into our hearts this Christmas and throughout the coming year.

# # #


Editor's Note: Columns will be published each week on www.CatholicPhilly.com and can also be found at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.php.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Archbishop Chaput's Weekly Column: The Family And Social Justice

December 31, 2014

ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN:
THE FAMILY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE



Since his election, Pope Francis has spoken in a uniquely powerful way about the need for human solidarity, care for the poor and economic justice. He's also dealt again and again with the need to protect and support the family. These are not two separate themes. They're linked organically. And while this Pope's words have a compelling new energy and joy, they're grounded firmly in a rich history of Catholic teaching.

Vatican II described the family as "the first and vital cell of society. It stressed that "the well-being of the individual person and of both human and Christian society is closely bound up with the healthy state of conjugal and family life."

It's worth browsing through social encyclicals like Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum; Pius XI's Quadragesimo Anno; John XXIII's Mater et Magistra and Pacem in Terris; Paul VI's Populorum Progressio; John Paul II's Laborem Exercens, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, Centesimus Annus and Evangelium Vitae, along with the work of Benedict XVI. Again and again, over more than a hundred year period, we see the family either explicitly or implicitly present as a key element in all the social teaching of the Church.

The reason is simple. The habits we learn and live in the family are the habits we bring to the public square and finally to the world arena.

Nothing is more demanding, and nothing takes more care and self-sacrifice, than love within a family. Loving "humanity" as an idea is easy. Loving flesh and blood family members, friends and neighbors as God wants them to be loved, day in and day out - that's what separates the wheat from the chaff. Words are important. But actions matter more. And nowhere is that truer than within a family.

Familiaris Consortio ("On the Role of the Family in the Modern World"), released by John Paul II in 1981 as a fruit of the last ordinary synod on the family, is a good place for each of us to begin preparing for the World Meeting of Families later this year. The document reminds us that "it is from the family that citizens come to birth, and within the family that they find the first school of the social virtues that are the animating principle of the existence and development of society itself." What are those virtues? Justice, charity and a love for freedom and truth as God means freedom and truth to be understood.

Familiaris Consortio stresses that "far from being closed in on itself, the family is by nature and vocation open to other families and to society, and undertakes its social role." This means that families can't be fortresses or enclaves. God created us to engage and sanctify the world, not withdraw from it.

It also describes the family as "the most effective means for humanizing and personalizing society." The family builds up the world "by making possible a life that is, properly speaking, human."

Prefiguring the words of Pope Francis by three decades, Familiaris Consortio encourages families to become involved in forms of social service, especially those which favor the poor; to cultivate the practice of hospitality and to engage themselves politically. It especially encourages families to "be the first to take steps to see that the laws and institutions of the state not only do not offend, but support and positively defend the rights and duties of the family."

Here's the lesson as we start a new year: The most important first step families can take in building a world of justice, mercy and charity is to pray often and together. We can't stop there, but we do need to begin there. If we do that, and hardwire it into our daily routines, we'll begin to really "see" the people in need all around us, and to live what we say we believe. That means bringing Christ into all of our daily routines, and all of our daily interactions and reflections, especially when it comes to the poor.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747