National Catholic Schools Week 2015 will be observed in dioceses around the country January 25–31. This year’s theme, “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service,” focuses on the important academic, faith-building and societal contributions provided by a Catholic education.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.