Yearly Archives: 2019

Religious Sisters Celebrate Jubilees

Religious Sisters in the Diocese of Harrisburg marking milestone anniversaries this year were recognized and honored during the annual Sisters’ Jubilee celebration. The celebration was hosted by the Diocesan Secretariat for Clergy and Consecrated Life on April 27 at the Diocesan Center in Harrisburg The gathering to recognize the Sisters for their ministry and service began with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Ronald Gainer, and included photos with the bishop and a luncheon for the jubilarians in attendance, as well as members of their congregations who were present for the celebration.

Jim Forjan Remembered by York Catholic Community

For nearly 60 years, Jim Forjan invested himself into the York Catholic High School community, as teacher, coach, dean of students, principal and volunteer.

From his first year as a social studies teacher and boys’ basketball coach in 1959, until his last days there as a cafeteria moderator last fall, Forjan rightly earned the titles “Mr. York Catholic” and “the greatest legacy to walk the halls of YC” – accolades members of the school community have expressed since his death on Feb. 15 of this year. Forjan was 83.

Undefeated Courage Expands Pro-Life Witness

It was an overcast spring day when a group of nearly 20, including Bishop Ronald Gainer, stood in prayer outside the Planned Parenthood clinic on North Second Street in Harrisburg.

These Sidewalk Advocates for Life are part of Undefeated Courage, a 501(c)(3), which works peacefully to engage with women considering abortion outside of abortion facilities. Literally providing an immediate intervention on the front lines, the group also gathered for a blessing of their new chapel, located just across the street from the Planned Parenthood facility.

New Apartments at St. Anne’s Retirement Community Continue Adorers’ Mission

A new and innovative apartment complex at St. Anne’s Retirement Community in Columbia, Lancaster County, is continuing a ministry that began there 90 years ago with the Adorers of the Blood of Christ.

The 54-unit complex opened on the grounds of the retirement community on April 1, adding to its options for independent living with a stunning three-story facility overlooking St. Anne’s bucolic grounds.

Mother of the Church

Many, many years ago, when I was merely 4 years old, I had an experience of my mother’s protection and love that still fills my eyes with tears today.

My mother had a soft, lamb’s wool bath robe that was salmon in color. When I was sick, or frightened, or just in need in some loving, my mother would wrap me in her arms under the folds of this soft robe. She would rock me and hum folk songs of Ireland that her mother had taught her. I never learned the words to these songs, but their melody hummed through her lips, as well as the softness of her robe, always brought me consolation. As I grew, this magical robe became the means through which I would defend the world from the attacks of an evil dragon, as joyfully played by my brother.

St. Rose of Lima School Celebrates Anniversary with Centennial Mass

Students, faculty, parents and graduates of St. Rose of Lima School in Thomasville celebrated the school’s 100th anniversary during a Mass and a dinner in York on April 27. The centennial was highlighted by Mass celebrated by Bishop Ronald Gainer.

The school was founded in September of 1919 by the Sisters of St. Joseph, and originally located adjacent to the parish church in York, a few blocks from the fairgrounds. In 2001, St. Rose of Lima School moved to its current location in Thomasville, a suburban area west of the city.

Enrollment Management Workshops Give School Leaders Concrete Ideas for ‘Advancing the Mission’

The more than 80 school leadership personnel attending enrollment management workshops at the Diocesan Center in Harrisburg this spring are returning to their schools with concrete suggestions for bolstering enrollment, retention and image.

And they couldn’t be more excited about putting these examples into action.

Exemplary Service and Growth Result in Consecutive Double Star Award for Knights at Holy Infant Parish

A flourish in membership numbers and a dynamic quantity of activities have earned the Father Edward Gerrity Council #10474 of the Knights of Columbus a prestigious accolade from the Supreme Council: the Double Star Council Award.

The award is given to councils that exhibit service to the Church and community, increase members’ awareness of the fraternal benefits of the organization’s insurance program, and double their quota for new membership.