Category Archives: News

The Diocese’s annual White Mass drew Catholic physicians, health care workers, dentists and medical students to St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg on Oct. 20 to recognize their vocation and pray for God’s blessings upon their work. Bishop Ronald Gainer was the principal celebrant and homilist for the Mass.

As a child, I was thrilled to wait for the school bus in the morning. It meant I could “play” with other students from my school and interact with those who were both younger and older than I. Looking back, I can now understand that the simple act of waiting…

When Susan’s* husband, Juan, told her about the abortion he was involved in when he was in college, she finally understood why he was so depressed and had trouble bonding with their children. However, she wanted him to just get over it, without seeking help from a post-abortion healing ministry.…

For the first time in the school’s illustrious sports history, the Crusaders of Lancaster Catholic girls’ tennis team swept all three competitions at the District 3 championships. Success in Class 2A girls’ tennis usually means beating the Spartans of Wyomissing, who have won 15 of the last 21 District 3…

“I couldn’t get over what I had done. I was so broken. I begged God for forgiveness for what seemed like a million times, but never knew how to forgive myself.” Becky Biter was in the throes of post-abortion traumatic stress, suffering from two abortions she’d had as a teenager.…

“You are women and this revolution has mostly been conducted in your name. We have the credibility to say, ‘It’s not working. It’s a failure.’” This is the message Helen Alvaré shared with nearly 700 women who attended the annual Diocesan Women’s Conference, Women of Light, Sisters in Christ, on…

What does a holy lawyer look like? Bishop Ronald Gainer posed this question in his homily at the Diocesan Red Mass, celebrated Oct. 7 at St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg. The annual liturgy takes place as the U.S. Supreme Court begins its new session, and invokes the wisdom of the…

Rosa* knew from experience the difficulties and expenses of watching a loved one die. She was totally devoted to her husband as he suffered and died from cancer eight years earlier. The idea of high medical bills, “tubes” and pain upset her, and even though she had not viewed her…

More than 500 faithful gathered at Corpus Christi Church in Chambersburg for the annual Hispanic Cultural Mass on Sept. 29. Bishop Ronald Gainer was the main celebrant and homilist for the Mass in Spanish. The faithful joined the bishop for a social, featuring various Latino ethnic foods, costumed festive dances…

The newness of the school year had finally worn off. The morning rituals of getting everyone ready for school and work, and the evening rituals of preparing a meal started to become a chore rather than just a part of life. In the midst of these doldrums, an eight-year-old boy…

Members of Holy Infant Parish in Manchester were overjoyed to welcome a former pastor, Bishop Edward C. Malesic of Greensburg, on Sept. 29. The bishop visited his former parishioners during a potluck dinner before leading them in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as part of the parish’s Eucharistic Day.

A prevalent men’s ministry is growing within the Diocese of Harrisburg and attracting several thousand to its 26 weekly meetings for enlightenment and camaraderie to live as Catholic men. Now a successful and popular program, it was initially met with a negative reaction.

“We know that our future is bright and we know that these men merit your support,” Father Jonathan Sawicki, Diocesan Director of Vocations, told the crowd of 400 at the annual Fishers of Men Dinner. The attendees filled the dining room at the Diocesan Center in Harrisburg on Oct. 4…

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This year, October 20th marks a very special World Mission Sunday, our annual, worldwide Eucharistic celebration of our shared call to mission. It takes place during an Extraordinary Missionary Month, called for by Pope Francis in honor of the 100th anniversary of Pope Benedict…

The Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, founded in 1909 in Scranton, Pa., had searched for 10 years for a permanent home for the growing number of Sisters in their congregation. The Sisters learned of a property for sale in Danville in November 1918. Father Thomas F.X. Dougherty was pastor…

If the pro-life movement can convince people that an unborn child is human, we win the fight, right? According to Dr. Monica Miller, this is not reality. Speaking at the Faith, Family & Life Symposium at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish in Shippensburg on Sept. 21, Dr. Miller told…

Ever since Father Deogratias Rwegasira’s arrival for ministry in the Diocese of Harrisburg five years ago, the Tanzanian-born priest has hoped and prayed for a regular Mass in Swahili for Catholics native to East Africa. During his ten years of service in the Diocese of Allentown, Father Deo – a…

Transformation of hearts and minds to Christ was the motivating refrain at this year’s Diocesan Education Conference, springing forth from the keynote address, the liturgy and workshop sessions. The annual conference gathers Catholic school educators for a period of refreshment and renewal at the start of the school year. This…

My last two articles were mostly stories and then a sentence or two about the stories. You might have wondered, “What the heck is Sister doing? What is the point of this? Has she completely lost her mind?” Believe it or not, you would not be the first person who…