On March 3, 1868, Blessed Pius IX, accepting the recommendation of the Second Plenary Council of the bishops of the United States of America, issued a decree establishing the Diocese of Harrisburg. The decree, translated from the Latin, reads:
The Diocese’s sesquicentennial year opens this weekend, and the yearlong celebration that will feature a number of diocesan-wide activities and historical reflections for parishioners’ inspiration.
One of the many joys I have in working at the Diocesan Center is the wonderful privilege of not only serving at Mass but also being an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist.
Twelve new parishes were formed from the mergers in 1995. In the list below, the year of founding and the ethnic roots of the merged parishes are noted. Asterisks indicate the worship sites of the new parishes established as a result of the mergers.
Although the Diocese of Harrisburg encompasses the Pennsylvania Dutch Country and is usually associated with it, the rich mosaic of peoples who make up the diocese did not really develop until after the Civil War. From the Colonial period until the time of the Civil War the Catholic population drew mainly from the Irish and Germans.
Bull of Pope Pius IX Establishing Diocese of Harrisburg, Harrisburg, March 3, 1868
The office of Supreme Apostolic Authority which the Lord placed upon Our unworthy shoulders requires that We be ready to undertake prudently whatever may benefit the Catholic Church and the eternal salvation of souls.
March for Life organizers announced in a Dec. 6 briefing a tentative group of speakers, a theme and other details for a Jan. 18 conference and expo and Jan. 19 march and rally in Washington.
Celebrating a solemn Mass of Ordination to the Diaconate at St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg on Nov. 5, Bishop Ronald Gainer told the two seminarians receiving the sacrament that as they take on the threefold service of ministry of the Word, of the Altar and of Charity, their personal holiness is indispensable.
Standing at the entrance to Camp Kirchenwald, a 340-acre site of wooded trails, lake activities, a swimming pool, athletic fields and cabins in Colebrook, Alicia Kocher was eager to reunite with her camp family – participants and volunteers with whom she has formed bonds over the past 20 years.
Responding with a resounding “Yes!” to the Lord’s call, three men were ordained to the priesthood on June 3 at St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg.
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