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Many, many years ago, when I was a novice, our novice directress decided to take a day off. She asked us to pack up a picnic basket and blankets and enjoy the day outside. We left the Motherhouse, journeyed to the other side of our property, spread out the blankets…
READ MORE“I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.” These words spoken by John the Baptist and recorded in the Gospel of John, 1:34, leave no doubt to listeners as to our Lord’s parentage. These words were also appropriate for the annual Diocesan Respect Life Mass, held…
READ MOREIn September, the Religious Sisters of Mercy marked their 150th year in the Diocese of Harrisburg. With just six community members currently serving within the Diocese, one might say, “No need for fanfare.” Yet, in response to their fourth vow of service to those who are poor, sick, and in…
READ MOREFaith, fellowship and two-by-fours are all combining in York to provide new, affordable housing for 14 families, while building community and residents and different faiths. A joint project between Habitat for Humanity and several area churches, including St. Joseph Parish, the Faith Build is bringing together congregations in order to…
READ MOREGood food, music, prayers and a focus on the Christmas story were all experienced in the days leading up to Christmas through Las Posadas. A tradition in Mexico and several other central and south American countries, this event commemorates the journey of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph in searching…
READ MOREA student service project that began in the fall at Good Shepherd School in Camp Hill culminated in boxes of personal care items and snacks for military personnel in time for Christmas. In September, sixth-graders decided on the project of sending care packages to members of Good Shepherd families who…
READ MOREIn celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Catholic schools throughout the Diocese are hosting Open Houses to showcase what they can offer current and prospective students. The following Open Houses were submitted from the schools; visit www.GoCatholicSchools.org for more information.
READ MORESeven days before Christmas, the Trinity High School Choir, under the direction of Caroline Jarrett, performed several powerfully poignant Christmas melodies for inmates at the Cumberland County Prison. This year marked the third year that the choir performed its program, “The Choral Works of Mercy” – an idea Jarrett envisioned…
READ MOREChristmas 2019 has become a memory. The beautifully wrapped presents have all been opened. Bows and wrappings have been torn and thrown out, or collected to be used again next year. The Christmas ham and turkey, along with the cookies, have been consumed. School has begun and it’s back to…
READ MORESurrounded by the radiance of Nativity scenes, strings of lights and vibrant poinsettias, Catholics gathered at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Lewisburg and St. George Church in Mifflinburg to celebrate the Epiphany with Bishop Ronald Gainer. The feast celebrates the manifestation of Jesus as the Messiah, as the Magi…
READ MOREThe following is a listing, provided by the Diocesan Office of Respect Life Activities, of various buses departing from the Diocese of Harrisburg to the March for Life on January…
READ MOREDiocesan Respect Life Mass January 19 @ 9:30 a.m. at Good Shepherd Church, Camp Hill. This Mass is celebrated every year to commemorate the lives lost to abortion since 1973…
READ MOREOne hundred fifty six years ago, President Abraham Lincoln told loyal Americans that “To the great task remaining before us that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure devotion.” Today, those words long ago addressed by Lincoln to…
READ MOREAs the weather turned cold, the Knights of Columbus in Carlisle heated up their commitment to the community with free winter coat distributions for children. Knights of Columbus Council #4057 at St. Patrick Parish in Carlisle distributed 96 brand new, warm coats to children at Lamberton Middle School, and Hamilton…
READ MOREThe bishops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey engaged in a “free-flowing, open and frank” conversation with Pope Francis during their ad limina visit to Rome Nov. 25-29. Bishop Ronald Gainer told The Catholic Witness Dec. 9 that the 20 bishops of Region III who met with the holy father for…
READ MOREDecember 12 is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and more than 800 faithful gathered at St. Joseph Church in Hanover for Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop Ronald Gainer and concelebrated by more than 10 priests of the Diocese. The feast marks the Marian apparition in 1531 to St.…
READ MOREAs a way to honor teachers and staff for the important role they play, the girls’ basketball team at Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg hosted a Teacher Appreciation Night before the start of their varsity match-up against Lower Dauphin on Dec. 10. In an endearing ceremony prior to tip-off,…
READ MOREMyles Slade-Bowers, a junior at Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg, visited the White House on Dec. 9 to participate in the Educational Empowerment Roundtable with President Donald Trump and speak about the positive impact that school choice has had on his education. Betsy DeVos, United States Secretary of Education,…
READ MOREJoyful anticipation of Christmas was illustrated through artwork in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., where many of this year’s 24 winners of the Missionary Childhood Association Christmas Artwork Contest gathered Dec. 6 with their families for the annual awards presentation. Contest winners…
READ MOREYouth from across the Diocese experienced Christmas early on Saturday, Dec. 14, during the inaugural Around the World event. Coordinated by the Diocesan Office of Multicultural Ministries, the event celebrated the Christmas traditions from various cultures, explaining their unique, yet similar, ways of celebrating the birth of Christ. Before decorating…
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