Category Archives: Diocesan News

The day started rainy, gloomy and cold, but the unfavorable weather did not put a damper on those who gathered at Saint Patrick Catholic on Sunday, Nov. 1 for the…

(This is the first in a series of features on organizations supported by the Diocese’s Matthew 25 Collection to provide food, clothing and shelter to people in our communities. The…

The District 3 cross country championships are held at Big Spring High School each year. This Cumberland County course features a long ascent at the 3.1 mile course’s start that…

Weather many times gets little attention when determining a football game, but on a rainy, raw night at J.T. Flaherty Field at Delone Catholic High School in McSherrystown, the sloppy conditions gave both top-seeded Delone Catholic and Steel High fits all night in the 1A District 3 championship. It marked…

The Vatican’s Secretary of State has asked papal representatives to share with bishops some clarifications regarding comments on civil unions made by Pope Francis in a recently released documentary, according to the apostolic nuncio to Mexico. The clarifications explain that the pope’s comments do not pertain to Catholic doctrine regarding…

Deacon Tom Owsinski Wife: Jackie Owsinski Home Parish: St. James, Lititz Parish Assignment: St. James, Lititz What drew you to serve the Diocese as a Deacon? To be quite honest,…

Father William Barbee’s grace-filled journey came to its long-awaited destination on Oct. 24 with his ordination to the Diocesan priesthood. A husband, father, grandfather and former minister in the Church of Christ and priest in the Episcopal Church, Father Barbee became a Diocesan priest through the Laying of Hands by…

Father Michael McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus Catholic fraternal organization, will be beatified on October 31 in Hartford, Connecticut. A miracle credited to the intercession of Father McGivney was approved by the Vatican and announced by Pope Francis on May 27. A child who was diagnosed as…

Deacon Patrick McCormack Wife: Mary Ann McCormack Home Parish: Our Lady of Good Counsel, Marysville Parish Assignment: Our Lady of Good Counsel, Marysville What drew you to serve the Diocese…

Deacon Frank A. Kuchinski Wife: Madeline (Lynne) Kuchinski Home Parish: St. Leo the Great, Rohrerstown Parish Assignment: St. Leo the Great, Rohrerstown What drew you to serve the Diocese as…

God’s love symbolized in cheesecake and bacon, the beauty and strength of women, and the genuineness of faith were among the topics of this year’s Diocesan Women’s Conference, “Catholic Women: Our Place at the Table.” Streamed live from the Diocesan Conference Center in Harrisburg Oct. 17, the virtual event yielded…

In recognition of nearly 25 years of service to the people of his parishes and greater community, the City of Lancaster honored Father Allan Wolfe with its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award at the Oct. 13 meeting of City Council. Father Wolfe is the pastor of San Juan Bautista and St.…

There is an old sign just outside Latrobe, Pennsylvania, the hometown of the late, great Arnold Palmer that quotes the golfer: “You must play boldly to win.” Trinity’s James Ulsh, a junior, took that to heart at the 87th PIAA golf championships at Heritage Hills in York on Oct. 19…

There are times when it is difficult to gauge just how good Bishop McDevitt’s football team is in October as they cut through Mid-Penn Conference foes like a sharp knife dices cheese. That may well be true this season also, as the Crusaders are undefeated and easily sliced through Cumberland…

A new educational program offered by the Diocese kicked off with a presentation on the formation of conscience and the example of a saint who gave his life rather than compromise it. Bishop Ronald Gainer was the inaugural speaker for the Diocese’s new “Truth, Beauty and Goodness Evangelization Speaker Series.”…

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…

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…

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?…

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…

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,…