Category Archives: Diocesan News

Pope Francis warned against the temptation to ignore the suffering of others during the coronavirus pandemic and said that things will get better in the new year to the extent to which the needs of the weakest and most disadvantaged are prioritized. “We don’t know what 2021 has in store…

Catholic bishops condemned pro-Donald Trump protesters’ incursion that penetrated the Capitol Building Wednesday as Congress debated the certification of the presidential election results, leading to the evacuation of lawmakers and – as of press time Thursday morning – the deadly shooting of one protester by law enforcement. “I join people…

The Diocese of Harrisburg’s commitment to the highest standards of good stewardship, accountability and transparency in the financial gifts it receives from the faithful were reaffirmed with the recent release of the Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) Annual Diocesan Online Financial Transparency Study. This study, conducted each year by the…

The Diocese of Harrisburg is pleased to announce that Mr. Scott Udit has joined our team as the new director of Buildings and Properties. A member of Saint Theresa of the Infant Jesus Parish in New Cumberland and a third degree Knight of Columbus in Council 8921, Udit is looking…

Father Thomas C. Marickovic, 67, of the Priests Retirement Residence in Harrisburg, died December 30, 2020 in UPMC Pinnacle Community Osteopathic Hospital. He was a retired priest for the Diocese of Harrisburg; a graduate of Steelton-Highspire High School’s Class of 1971, Loyola University, Chicago 1975, and the Pontifical College Josephinum,…

On a cold winter’s night a week before Christmas, thousands of faithful came to Good Shepherd Parish in Camp Hill to ponder and gaze upon a Living Nativity display. With roles played in large part by youth of the parish, and featuring live animals used in productions at the Sight…

With Christmas just five days away, staff at A Woman’s Concern Pregnancy and Parenting Resource Center in Lancaster put their Santa hats on Dec. 21 to give gifts to families in need. The center turned their Hope House, where families normally pick up strollers and Chicco car seats, into a…

Reaching a height of nearly 100 feet, the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square this year is adorned with handcrafted wooden ornaments made by the homeless, as well as children and other adults. Before the Christmas tree lighting ceremony Dec. 11, Pope Francis said that he wanted the Christmas tree…

The “Great Conjunction” of Jupiter and Saturn on Dec. 21 – dubbed the “Christmas Star” – was a pretty sight, but it is impossible to know for sure if it had any connection to the Star of Bethlehem, a Vatican astronomer said. On Dec. 21, the planets Jupiter and Saturn…

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Many Christmas Carols have fascinating backstories. The beloved Carol, Joy to the World, has one such interesting history. Isaac Watts, born in England in 1674, was reflecting one day on Psalm 98 and he was greatly moved by the fourth verse, “Make a joyful…

Father (Colonel) Robert F. Berger, KHS, died at his family home on December 14, 2020. He was a priest of the Diocese of Harrisburg for 58 years. He was born August 30, 1935, in Locust Gap, the son of the late George Francis and Josephine (Heiser) Berger.

Pope Francis appointed a new bishop of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Dec. 18. The pope named Msgr. Larry J. Kulick as the sixth bishop of the diocese founded in 1951. Bishop-elect Kulick,…

Our Mother of Perpetual Help School in Ephrata made quite the debut in its foray into the Extraordinary Give last month. The PreK-8 school rang up an astounding $145,127 in Lancaster County’s annual day of giving on Nov. 20. The one-day marathon inspires donors to make online contributions to boost…

Three days before a snow storm encased central Pennsylvania in nearly two feet of snow, teenagers with the Diocesan Youth Council spread some warm holiday cheer to several dozen guests of the Cathedral Parish’s Sunday evening meal in Harrisburg. Stationed behind tables stacked with Christmas gifts, cookies and hot chocolate,…

The life of Father Patrick Peyton, an Irish-American priest who traveled the world hosting hundreds of Rosary rallies and encouraging families to pray together, is the subject of a new film now available for online purchase. The documentary-style film “PRAY: The Story of Patrick Peyton,” includes footage of Father Peyton,…

My Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, As our world continues to suffer due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, I ask that you join me in continuing to pray for an end to this pandemic. I also ask that you continue to offer prayers and gratitude for those in medical…

Rose Burns, a student at St. Leo the Great School in Rohrerstown, was selected from among thousands of young artists as one of 24 finalists in the 2019-2020 national Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) Christmas Artwork Contest. Typically, winners’ artwork is displayed in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the…

Father Vincent R. Capodanno Assembly 3167 of the Knights of Columbus honored two of their deceased members by presenting Mass kits in each of their names to be used by priests serving in Uganda. Presented in memory of Sir Knight Stephen Reed and Sir Knight Ernest A. DeFrank, Jr., by…

Spearheading a new, regional youth ministry program in Lancaster County, coordinator Kim Moore was eager to develop one that would draw in teens from upwards of 20 parishes while complementing already-existing programs and assisting parishes that don’t offer one. A former youth minister at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish…

Pope Francis announced a Year of St. Joseph in honor of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as patron of the Universal Church. The year begins Dec. 8, 2020, and concludes on Dec. 8, 2021, according to a decree authorized by the pope. The decree said that Pope Francis…