Diocese Receives Gift of 35 Men Ordained to Order of Diaconate

Diocesan News, News

Following five years of discernment, studies, formation and deepening their relationship with God, 35 men in the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program were ordained to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate on Saturday, Sept. 12.

In opening remarks at the start of the Mass, celebrated at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Harrisburg, Bishop Ronald Gainer said “Today is a phenomenal day; a day that is exciting, joyful and faith-filled…. It is the very kind of day we need during these extraordinary times that we have been experiencing.”

Religious Education Classes Resume Safely with Classroom Protocols, Remote Learning

Diocesan News, News

Faced with the challenges of planning religious education programs that would ensure the physical and spiritual safety of students, one thing remained certain for parish directors and coordinators of religious education: the faith formation of young people would resume this fall.

“No matter what is going on in the world, religious education is critical,” said Kelly Krakowski, Director of Religious Education at St. Matthew Parish in Dauphin. “How sad would it be to give up on children’s religious education?”

St. Mary’s in Fairfield Re-Dedicates Eagle Scout Tribute to 9/11 Heroes

Local Parishes and Schools, News

Nineteen years ago, Sept. 11 dawned clear as a bell on the East Coast. By 9:03 a.m., when the second plane hijacked by terrorists slammed into Tower Two of the World Trade Center in New York City, it was clear for the world to see that the United States was under attack by a foreign foe.

Five years ago in Fairfield, Anthony Venzin constructed a beautiful plaza with flag standards as part of his Eagle Scout project. The plaza is the perfect place on the west-facing slope of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, where the ten-mile vista over the Carroll Valley is truly scenic.

Two Trinity Students Earn Recognition as 2021 National Merit Semifinalists

Local Parishes and Schools, News

Trinity High School students Lucy Cooper-Silvis and Olivia Maddux have been named among approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The announcement was made by officials from the National Merit Scholarship Program on Sept. 9.

Lucy and Olivia, both seniors, have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. More than 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and more than half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.