Category Archives: News

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…

Observing the 18th anniversary of 9/11 and praying for the lives lost that day, the Lebanon Catholic School community welcomed first responders to a Blue Mass to pray for their safety and express gratitude for their service. Father Robert Gillelan, pastor of Assumption BVM Parish in Lebanon and principal celebrant,…

The 40 Days for Life campaign – a peaceful and prayerful demonstration for the sanctity of human life and an end to abortion – got underway in cities and towns throughout the country this week, with members of the pro-life community taking to prayer, vigil at abortion clinics and community…

United States Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos visited the Cathedral campus of Harrisburg Catholic Elementary School on Sept. 19, along with Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Mike Turzai, to talk about school choice and freedom of education. Seventh-grade teacher Johnnie Hicks and his class presented a special tribute for Secretary…

In a service activity for Hunger Action Month, more than 20 parishioners from the Cathedral Parish of St. Patrick in Harrisburg volunteered at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank on Sept. 11, amassing 42 service hours for the organization. The service project was an activity of the parish’s Mercy Matters Committee.…

“Pray, hope and don’t worry. Worry is useless. Our Merciful Lord will listen to your prayer.” These words spoken by St. Pio of Pietrelcina, commonly known as Padre Pio, were certainly on the minds of the countless members of the faithful who traveled to St. Peter Church in Elizabethtown on…

The people of St. Joseph Parish in York demonstrated their love and gratitude for the Capuchin Franciscan Friars who have served their parish and school for 40 years with an anniversary Mass on Sept. 7. The celebration extended to nearly 20 Capuchins who have previously served St. Joseph’s, and who…

The National Conference of Burmese-American Catholics gathered for its tenth annual conference at Trinity High School in Camp Hill, Aug. 31-Sept. 1, returning to the roots of the now-national organization. The purpose of the NCBAC is to bring together Burmese Catholics living in the United States, and provide opportunities for…

Father John Bateman, a priest of the Diocese of Harrisburg, returned to the Diocese this summer following more than three years in Rome, where he served as Secretary to the Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and earned a degree Canon Law. Currently serving…

Students at York Catholic High School began their year with striking renovations on campus aimed at enhancing their academic and extra-curricular experiences. Through the efforts of its “Grow Today, Impact Tomorrow” Capital Campaign, York Catholic unveiled a new turf athletic field on Aug. 19 and celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony for…