Author Archives: Miller

Catholic Conference Working to Support Bill for $1,000 Stimulus for Students to Attend School of Choice

The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference continued its efforts to work for funding for parents of school-age children, going before the Senate Education Committee on Oct. 5. The PCC was joined by others taking up the fight for school choice in Pennsylvania.

The hearing was called to discuss Senate Bill 1230 by Senator Judy Ward. The bill references the “Back on Track Education Scholarship Account Program,” which would make a $1,000 per-student stimulus available to eligible families to help them afford educational expenses.

Red Mass Calls Public Servants to ‘Be Authentic Witnesses’

Serving as guest homilist for the Diocese’s annual Red Mass, Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington called upon judges, attorneys, legislators and other public servants to “be authentic witnesses of truth and freedom, peace and justice.”

“We have to acknowledge that the peace and justice for which we along are sadly threatened today. So what do we do? How do we respond? Jesus tells us: Listen to the Word of God, follow it, allow it to reign in your hearts,” Bishop Burbidge said during the Mass, celebrated Oct. 12 at St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg.

Meet Deacons Hewitt, Koch, Kozlowski

Deacon Thomas A. Hewitt Wife: Susan A. Hewitt Home Parish: St. Theresa, New Cumberland Parish Assignment: St. Theresa, New Cumberland What drew you to serve the Diocese as a Deacon?…

U.S. Education Assistant Secretary Visits Lancaster Catholic to See School’s Response to Pandemic

Lancaster Catholic High School hosted United States Department of Education Assistant Secretary Frank Brogan Oct. 8 for a brief look at how the administration opened the school safely amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
Brogan selected Lancaster Catholic as a school to visit due to its response to the pandemic, by opening safely to all students five days a week, through numerous safety precautions.

Beatification of Carlo Acutis: The First Millennial to be Declared Blessed

An image of Carlo Acutis was unveiled at his beatification Mass in Assisi, Italy Oct. 10. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA. With the beatification of Carlo Acutis in Assisi on Oct. 10,…

Who was Carlo Acutis?

Carlo Acutis was born May 3, 1991, in London, where his parents were working. Just a few months later, his parents, Andrea Acutis and Antonia Salzano, moved to Milan.

As a teenager, Carlo was diagnosed with leukemia. He offered his sufferings for Pope Benedict XVI and for the Church, saying “I offer all the suffering I will have to suffer for the Lord, for the Pope, and the Church.”

Diocese Receives Gift of 35 Men Ordained to Order of Diaconate

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

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?”

Meet Deacons Auchey, Ballinger and Barto

Meet Deacons Auchey, Ballinger and Barto

Over the course of the next several weeks, The Catholic Witness will introduce readers to the Diocese’s 35 new permanent deacons, with photos, biographical information, and their comments/words/remarks on service to the Church.