Author Archives: Miller

Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius Celebrating a Century of Contributions in Danville

The Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, founded in 1909 in Scranton, Pa., had searched for 10 years for a permanent home for the growing number of Sisters in their congregation. The Sisters learned of a property for sale in Danville in November 1918. Father Thomas F.X. Dougherty was pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Danville and was able to help the Sisters with information about the property.

The estate consisted of a 44-room home, stables, barns, greenhouses, a farmhouse and a liveryman’s house on 187 acres of land. Known as “Castle Grove,” the mansion had been built in 1867 by John Grove, Sr., for his two sons, Michael and John Grove, Jr. After the death of the estate’s next owners, Caroline Grove Bennett and John Bennett, the estate was abandoned in 1905. Just after the end of World War I, John’s second wife listed the property for sale. On June 7, 1919, the sale to the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius was made final. The estate had been abandoned for 14 years and needed a significant amount of attention. The Sisters moved to Danville knowing they had a great deal of work ahead of them but were overjoyed by a place to call their own.

‘Radical Acts of Love’ Will End Abortion, Pro-Life Activist Tells Symposium at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish

If the pro-life movement can convince people that an unborn child is human, we win the fight, right?

According to Dr. Monica Miller, this is not reality.

Speaking at the Faith, Family & Life Symposium at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish in Shippensburg on Sept. 21, Dr. Miller told those in attendance why. Backed by 40-plus years of experience in the pro-life movement, she told how Roe vs. Wade was never concerned with the biological status of the unborn.

Mass in Swahili Draws 250 Worshipers for New Ministry to East African Catholics

Ever since Father Deogratias Rwegasira’s arrival for ministry in the Diocese of Harrisburg five years ago, the Tanzanian-born priest has hoped and prayed for a regular Mass in Swahili for Catholics native to East Africa.

During his ten years of service in the Diocese of Allentown, Father Deo – a member of the Congregation of the Apostles of Jesus – celebrated such a Mass, and has wanted to bring one to Lancaster since being assigned as chaplain at Lancaster General Hospital.

Education Conference Focuses on Transformation of Hearts and Minds

Transformation of hearts and minds to Christ was the motivating refrain at this year’s Diocesan Education Conference, springing forth from the keynote address, the liturgy and workshop sessions.

The annual conference gathers Catholic school educators for a period of refreshment and renewal at the start of the school year. This year’s conference was Sept. 18 at Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg.

The Art of Listening

My last two articles were mostly stories and then a sentence or two about the stories. You might have wondered, “What the heck is Sister doing? What is the point of this? Has she completely lost her mind?” Believe it or not, you would not be the first person who thought so!

The two stories I shared are stories that are very close to my heart. Stories that make you wonder and reflect. Stories that demand to be told or to be read to by someone, rather than just reading them. A good story told to us by a skilled storyteller makes us actually listen.

Lebanon Catholic Honors First Responders, Students in EMT Program

Observing the 18th anniversary of 9/11 and praying for the lives lost that day, the Lebanon Catholic School community welcomed first responders to a Blue Mass to pray for their safety and express gratitude for their service.

Father Robert Gillelan, pastor of Assumption BVM Parish in Lebanon and principal celebrant, blessed St. Michael prayer cards that were distributed to the honored guests, as well as first-responder vehicles on site.

‘40 Days for Life’ in York Opens with Mass at Newly-Renovated St. Patrick Church

The 40 Days for Life campaign – a peaceful and prayerful demonstration for the sanctity of human life and an end to abortion – got underway in cities and towns throughout the country this week, with members of the pro-life community taking to prayer, vigil at abortion clinics and community outreach.

In York, this year’s campaign began with a solemn Mass celebrated by Bishop Ronald Gainer on Sept. 22 at St. Patrick Church. The celebration of Mass, followed by pro-life testimony during a kick-off dinner, bolstered the faithful in their advocacy for life.

Secretary of Education Visits Harrisburg Catholic Elementary School to Promote Education Freedom Initiative

United States Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos visited the Cathedral campus of Harrisburg Catholic Elementary School on Sept. 19, along with Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Mike Turzai, to talk about school choice and freedom of education.

Seventh-grade teacher Johnnie Hicks and his class presented a special tribute for Secretary DeVos, including a geographical lesson involving her home town of Holland, Mich. After her time with the seventh-graders, Secretary DeVos visited the younger students to help with their learning experience.

Cathedral Parishioners Serve at Food Bank as Part of ‘Mercy Matters’ Activity

In a service activity for Hunger Action Month, more than 20 parishioners from the Cathedral Parish of St. Patrick in Harrisburg volunteered at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank on Sept. 11, amassing 42 service hours for the organization.

The service project was an activity of the parish’s Mercy Matters Committee. Established early last year, the committee’s mission is “to educate, plan, organize and engage parishioners in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy and respond to current social needs” and build relationships with local outreach ministries.

Veneration of Padre Pio Relics on Feast Day

“Pray, hope and don’t worry. Worry is useless. Our Merciful Lord will listen to your prayer.” These words spoken by St. Pio of Pietrelcina, commonly known as Padre Pio, were certainly on the minds of the countless members of the faithful who traveled to St. Peter Church in Elizabethtown on Sept. 23. On the feast day of St. Padre Pio, the parish was blessed to host two relics of this gentle friar who bore the wounds of Christ.

Touched
Catholics throughout the greater Elizabethtown area flocked to St. Peter’s throughout the day, bringing their prayers and petitions and asking for Padre Pio’s intersections. Two relics – a glove and robe – were on display. Following veneration of the relics and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, a Mass with Prayers for Healing was held.