Category Archives: News

It was an overcast spring day when a group of nearly 20, including Bishop Ronald Gainer, stood in prayer outside the Planned Parenthood clinic on North Second Street in Harrisburg. These Sidewalk Advocates for Life are part of Undefeated Courage, a 501(c)(3), which works peacefully to engage with women considering…

A new and innovative apartment complex at St. Anne’s Retirement Community in Columbia, Lancaster County, is continuing a ministry that began there 90 years ago with the Adorers of the Blood of Christ. The 54-unit complex opened on the grounds of the retirement community on April 1, adding to its…

Many, many years ago, when I was merely 4 years old, I had an experience of my mother’s protection and love that still fills my eyes with tears today. My mother had a soft, lamb’s wool bath robe that was salmon in color. When I was sick, or frightened, or…

Students, faculty, parents and graduates of St. Rose of Lima School in Thomasville celebrated the school’s 100th anniversary during a Mass and a dinner in York on April 27. The centennial was highlighted by Mass celebrated by Bishop Ronald Gainer. The school was founded in September of 1919 by the…

The more than 80 school leadership personnel attending enrollment management workshops at the Diocesan Center in Harrisburg this spring are returning to their schools with concrete suggestions for bolstering enrollment, retention and image. And they couldn’t be more excited about putting these examples into action.

A flourish in membership numbers and a dynamic quantity of activities have earned the Father Edward Gerrity Council #10474 of the Knights of Columbus a prestigious accolade from the Supreme Council: the Double Star Council Award. The award is given to councils that exhibit service to the Church and community,…

For Antonio Centenera, an eighth-grader at St. Patrick School in Carlisle, the way to get to Carnegie Hall is more than just practice. A combination of natural skill, support at home and encouragement in school and extracurriculars has led the 14-year-old student to earn a spot performing this June at…

Students from St. Teresa of Calcutta School in the Adams Deanery ran across the fields of the school’s Conewago campus on April 12 for Catholic Kite Day. The outdoor activity was the culmination of a STEM lesson in which students from both campuses – grades K-3 at Conewago and grades…

Some time ago, I came down with a case of the shingles at a place on my body where the sun doesn’t shine. I had always heard that this virus was very painful. In reality, I had no idea how painful it actually would be. On the second day after…

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. How many times have you prayed the words? Innumerable. But with all your heart, all your mind and all your soul, have you truly entered into them? A new app makes that possible. Named “Hallow,” it offers guided meditation sessions…

“Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.” This request from Psalm 119:66 inspires all to continually seek knowledge and information on our faith. This request is exactly what the Diocesan Institute for the Diocese of Harrisburg works to fulfill.

It has been seven months since the release of the Grand Jury Report and Bishop Ronald W. Gainer recently completed his listening session tour of the Diocese. During these sessions, Bishop Gainer has listened to the faithful, survivors and non-Catholics on the impact of the report. Many expressed dismay over…

Abuse. Cover up. Scandal. These and many more words have been staples when speaking about the Catholic Church for the past several months. But there is good news and good work the Church and the Diocese of Harrisburg continue to accomplish. In the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the…

Quick. In the next three minutes, write down the names of as many black Catholic saints as you can. How many did you get? 20? 15? 10? 5? This was the start of Dr. Camille Brown’s talk on African Saints during the Diocese’s recent pilgrimage to the National Shrine in…

Gun violence, racism, pacifism and the Christian response to violence were the topics of discussion at this year’s LARC Day of Dialogue. The annual gathering is a joint effort of the Lutheran, Anglican and Roman Catholic churches in central Pennsylvania for prayer and greater cooperation between the Churches. Taking place…

Learning about the faith and history of the Church was a fun activity for youth attending the Diocese’s pilgrimage. Close to 85 children participated in a scavenger hunt, hosted by the Diocesan Council of Catholic Girl Scouts and Campfire Girls. All youth were invited to participate and explore the Basilica,…

In August, Knights of Columbus Council # 17028 was formed and chartered at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Millersville. Heading the Council is Grand Knight Robert W. Ziemba. The Council included 45 new and transferred members on the charter date of Aug. 1. Father Lawrence W. Sherdel, pastor at…

A gathering of more than 3,000 faithful from the Diocese of Harrisburg traveled to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Nov. 3. The pilgrimage was a time of prayerful reflection over recent events in the Church and the Diocese, as well…

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Mechanicsburg March for Life Solidarity Day, Friday, January 18, to unite with those who are attending the march in Washington. The day begins at…

Rosemary Connelly had never traveled outside of the United States, or been on an airplane. She is afraid of heights. And she is discerning her path in life since her husband’s death in 2016.Yet, there she was on a flight with nearly 70 other pilgrims traveling from the Diocese of…