‘Faces of Hope’ Video Series Highlights Everyday People of the Catholic Church of Philadelphia Performing Extraordinary Works of Compassion

CatholicPhilly.com presents bi-weekly stories through video and text every two weeks to illustrate the Catholic Church as the greatest force for good in the five-county Philadelphia region.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has launched “Faces of Hope,” a compelling video series that tells the stories of Catholics around the region who are inspired by their faith to serve others in extraordinary ways. The series will consist of video and text components presented every two weeks, starting April 2, on CatholicPhilly.com, the official digital news agency of the Archdiocese along with its various social media assets.

“Faces of Hope” is an outgrowth of the Trust and Hope initiative launched by Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez earlier this year in a Pastoral Letter released in multiple languages. The series seeks to illustrate the impact that Catholics make throughout the five counties of the Philadelphia region by linking faith and good works.

The initial installments will include the following.

Janada Carter, Manager of Star Harbor Catholic Senior Community Center in Southwest Philadelphia, operated by archdiocesan Catholic Social Services. In her video, Carter speaks of the joy in building a community for senior citizens.
Sal LaMantia and Justin Sturkey, members of the Bucks County Sheriff’s Community Outreach & Public Engagement (SCOPE) Unit. LaMantia and Sturkey speak of their job helping the homeless and those with mental illness in a faith-filled way.
Dan Tarrant, Founder of Personally Catholic and a documentary filmmaker. Tarrant speaks of the importance of authentically Catholic filmmaking, as well as his current project documenting the work of Mother of Mercy House in Kensington to help those with addiction.

In his pastoral letter earlier this year, Archbishop Pérez spoke of the need to forge a new way forward that reconnects people to their Catholic faith. An estimated 83% of baptized Catholics in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia no longer attend weekly Mass.

Central to the strategy is the creation of a network of “Missionary Hubs” over the next decade to reach those who no longer participate in the faith, as well as non-Catholics. These unique hubs will reach out to those who are not attending weekly Mass and reconnect them with the parish community and service opportunities.

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Editor’s Note: For more information, visit CatholicPhilly.com or TrustAndHope.org.

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