Category Archives: News

We’ve all been faced with those times of waiting. Traffic, appointments, checkout lines; waiting is a part of life. The Diocese of Harrisburg now has a new resource to help turn these waiting times into opportunities for deeper growth in the faith. Through the generosity of those who contributed to…

Located in the center of town, St. Joseph Church in Danville has been a centerpiece in the Montour County community for 150 years. Its historic bell tower has been a landmark and time keeper for decades, and its interior has witnessed the celebration of the sacraments, welcomed Diocesan bishops, and…

For the past four summers, St. Theresa School in New Cumberland has offered a musical theater camp for elementary students. The several-week program is hosted at Trinity High School in Camp Hill, where the camp attendees are treated to wonderful production quality sound and lighting systems to enhance the musical…

Nestled in “Pennsylvania Dutch Country,” among Amish homesteads and Baptist churches, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish has been a bastion of the Catholic Church for a century. For 100 years, parishioners have upheld the parish’s mission of living “the Catholic Tradition of Word, Sacrament, social justice, and respect for life”…

Just after Easter, I received a card from one of the readers of The Catholic Witness. The cover of the card featured a reproduction by Virginia Thomas of the Apparition of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary. In this rendition of the apparition, St. Margaret and Mary and Jesus’ glances are…

Rooted in a faith foundation grown a from a small chapel in the pastoral land of southern Franklin County a century ago, the Catholic community at St. Rita Parish in Blue Ridge Summit is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Several decades before St. Rita Parish was formally established, Catholics…

An ornamental stone in Susan Betcke’s home is decorated with the names of each child she has fostered for the last seven years. The keepsake is also adorned with drawings of things the children’s favorite things, like animals and hobbies. There are currently 27 names on the stone, a reminder…

A new Catholic school is open in the city of York, forged from two school communities on mission to strengthen Catholic education in the deanery. Holy Trinity School, which became official on July 1, is a merger of St. Patrick School in York and St. Joseph School in Dallastown. The…

The year was 1969. Apollo 11 landed on the moon, Sesame Street debuted, gas was 35 cents a gallon and Woodstock attracted more than 350,000 rock and roll fans. The year also saw the marriage of more than 340 couples in the Diocese of Harrisburg. More than 100 of those…

“The full measure of a man is not to be found in the man himself, but in the colors and textures that come alive in others because of him.” These words from Albert Schweitzer were one of several inspirational quotes and prayers embedded in Maretta Schmidt’s e-mail signature – words…

Fiat Days is a retreat for young Catholic women, ages 15-25, who want to learn more about consecrated life, to deepen their faith, and to better discern God’s call in their lives. Held annually at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., the retreat drew nearly 40 young women to…

“Where are you going?” Young men ages 15-25 considered this question during the Diocese’s annual Quo Vadis Days retreat, June 23-27. Within the walls and on the grounds of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., young men engaged in prayer, discernment and camaraderie with priests and seminarians of the…

Food. Clothing. Shelter. We may often find ourselves taking these three basic needs for granted, never having to wonder when we will eat again and where we will sleep. But for far too many men, women, children and families throughout the Diocese of Harrisburg, these three basic needs are challenging…

On June 22, the Church paused to remember a saint who remained faithful in the face of political persecution, even as it meant death. Bishop Ronald Gainer celebrated Mass on the Feast of St. Thomas More at St. Theresa Church in New Cumberland. In the Diocese of Harrisburg, the annual…

Barbara Roth has served the Diocese of Harrisburg’s Tribunal office for 40 years. She has worn many hats during this time; secretary, office manager, case manager and advocate are all titles she has carried. But as of July 1, Roth can add another “hat” – chancellor. “Last week, Bishop Gainer…

Some time ago, I was listening to Catholic radio and the host told the following story that is worth repeating. A young couple, Patricia and Tom, with a four year old named Jimmy, excitedly waited for the birth of another child. Unfortunately, Patricia went into premature labor, and their little…

Celebrating 190 years of their foundation of faith, the community of St. Peter Parish in Columbia gathered for Holy Mass on June 23 to mark the 190th anniversary of the parish’s first church. “We wanted to take this opportunity to think about our parish history and thank God for St.…

As 15-year-old Ryan Kerris ascended the stairs to the choir loft of St. Lawrence Chapel in Harrisburg for the first time, an expression of awe broadened across his face. Ryan, a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Mount Carmel, was introduced to the Latin Mass a year…

After a lifetime of service, the Chancellor for the Diocese of Harrisburg, Dr. Carol L. Houghton, STD, JCD, is starting her next life chapter. Dr. Houghton retired from the Diocese on June 30, but not before reflecting back on her 33 years of service. “I started in a part-time role…

Construction of the Carmel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph continues in Fairfield, Adams County, as volunteers are hand-building the Vestry, which will contain the recreation and work rooms for the Discalced Carmelite Nuns. Nine Discalced Carmelites moved from the at-capacity Carmel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in Elysburg to the…