Most Reverend Louis Anthony DeSimone, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, Titular Bishop of Cillium, and Pastor Emeritus of Saint Monica Parish died at Saint Thomas Monastery in Villanova on the morning of Friday, October 5th following a brief illness. He was 96.

As I’ve done on an occasional basis for the last few months, I’m turning over my column space here to another voice whose good work is relevant to the theme of the 2018 synod: “Young people, the faith, and vocational discernment.”

Chris Stefanick began his career as a successful youth minister but has since developed into one of the most effective Catholic evangelists in the United States.  The founder of Real Life Catholic, Stefanick’s live events reach more than 85,000 people each year – and his online videos, TV show and radio spots have reached millions.  He offers his thoughts on the synod and its goals below.

Three years after the 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, thanks to a former U.S. cardinal, a Pennsylvania statewide grand jury report, and abuse problems in Chile and elsewhere, the Church is in turmoil.  In this turbulent environment, the Holy See will host a world synod of bishops, October 3-28, in Rome.   Keyed to the theme of “young people, faith, and vocational discernment,” a more ironic, and more difficult, confluence of bad facts at a bad time for the meeting can hardly be imagined.

A celebration of the Hispanic Catholic community’s rich diversity

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will observe the Memorial of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary on Sunday, October 7th with an Archdiocesan Rosary.

These schools are among only 49 private or religious schools in the country to receive this honor.  

Over the past few months I’ve turned my regular column space over to young adults on a number of occasions.  They’ve used this space to offer their views on the 2018 synod of bishops focusing on youth.  That synod begins this week in Rome, on Wednesday, October 3.  Below is a letter I received on September 30 from India.