Undefeated Courage Expands Pro-Life Witness

News

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

News

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

News

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.

Diocesan Tribunal Accompanies Catholics through Annulment Process

Faith Forward

In the Catholic Church, few topics are more sensitive – and perhaps more misunderstood – than annulments.

An annulment is a declaration of invalidity by a Catholic Tribunal that a previous marriage was not valid according to the teachings of the Church.

In the Diocese of Harrisburg, the mission of the Tribunal is to reflect and experience Christ in the ministry of justice through the compassionate and equitable application of Church law, to protect the rights and dignity of each person without discrimination, and to provide an opportunity for healing.

St. Rose of Lima School Celebrates Anniversary with Centennial Mass

News

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.

Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg’s Survivor Compensation Program Enrollment Period Closes

Media Releases

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg announced that its Survivor Compensation Program enrollment period ended on Monday, May 13, 2019.

“The Survivor Compensation Program is a major component in our ongoing efforts to support survivors of clergy child sexual abuse,” said Bishop Ronald Gainer. “We have just completed an important phase of this Program. Our fund administrators, Commonwealth Mediation & Conciliation, Inc. (CMCI), have informed us that we have had many survivors apply to participate in the Program. Once the settlement period has concluded, the Diocese will release a final report on how many survivors we were able to support. Our Diocese will continue to offer counseling to survivors of clergy child sexual abuse, regardless of whether that survivors has received a settlement or is participating in the Survivor Compensation Program.

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

News

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.

God-Given Talent, School Support are Keys for Student’s Spot in Carnegie Hall Performance

News

For Antonio Centenera, an eighth-grader at St. Patrick School in Carlisle, the way to get to Carnegie Hall is more than just practice.

A combination of natural skill, support at home and encouragement in school and extracurriculars has led the 14-year-old student to earn a spot performing this June at the world-renowned New York City venue.

Antonio’s audition for the American Association for Development of the Gifted and Talented earned him a gold medal and a performance spot in the Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall on June 23. He’ll be one of 16 pianists in eight age groups to share that honor.

Catholic Kite Day at St. Teresa’s

News

Students from St. Teresa of Calcutta School in the Adams Deanery ran across the fields of the school’s Conewago campus on April 12 for Catholic Kite Day. The outdoor activity was the culmination of a STEM lesson in which students from both campuses – grades K-3 at Conewago and grades 4-8 at McSherrystown – designed and built kites. Rainy skies held off for most of the afternoon’s kite flying session, which included a repair station for solutions to resume flight.