Category Archives: News

Reaching a height of nearly 100 feet, the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square this year is adorned with handcrafted wooden ornaments made by the homeless, as well as children and other adults. Before the Christmas tree lighting ceremony Dec. 11, Pope Francis said that he wanted the Christmas tree…

The “Great Conjunction” of Jupiter and Saturn on Dec. 21 – dubbed the “Christmas Star” – was a pretty sight, but it is impossible to know for sure if it had any connection to the Star of Bethlehem, a Vatican astronomer said. On Dec. 21, the planets Jupiter and Saturn…

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Many Christmas Carols have fascinating backstories. The beloved Carol, Joy to the World, has one such interesting history. Isaac Watts, born in England in 1674, was reflecting one day on Psalm 98 and he was greatly moved by the fourth verse, “Make a joyful…

Father (Colonel) Robert F. Berger, KHS, died at his family home on December 14, 2020. He was a priest of the Diocese of Harrisburg for 58 years. He was born August 30, 1935, in Locust Gap, the son of the late George Francis and Josephine (Heiser) Berger.

Our Mother of Perpetual Help School in Ephrata made quite the debut in its foray into the Extraordinary Give last month. The PreK-8 school rang up an astounding $145,127 in Lancaster County’s annual day of giving on Nov. 20. The one-day marathon inspires donors to make online contributions to boost…

Three days before a snow storm encased central Pennsylvania in nearly two feet of snow, teenagers with the Diocesan Youth Council spread some warm holiday cheer to several dozen guests of the Cathedral Parish’s Sunday evening meal in Harrisburg. Stationed behind tables stacked with Christmas gifts, cookies and hot chocolate,…

The life of Father Patrick Peyton, an Irish-American priest who traveled the world hosting hundreds of Rosary rallies and encouraging families to pray together, is the subject of a new film now available for online purchase. The documentary-style film “PRAY: The Story of Patrick Peyton,” includes footage of Father Peyton,…

My Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, As our world continues to suffer due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, I ask that you join me in continuing to pray for an end to this pandemic. I also ask that you continue to offer prayers and gratitude for those in medical…

Rose Burns, a student at St. Leo the Great School in Rohrerstown, was selected from among thousands of young artists as one of 24 finalists in the 2019-2020 national Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) Christmas Artwork Contest. Typically, winners’ artwork is displayed in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the…

Father Vincent R. Capodanno Assembly 3167 of the Knights of Columbus honored two of their deceased members by presenting Mass kits in each of their names to be used by priests serving in Uganda. Presented in memory of Sir Knight Stephen Reed and Sir Knight Ernest A. DeFrank, Jr., by…

Spearheading a new, regional youth ministry program in Lancaster County, coordinator Kim Moore was eager to develop one that would draw in teens from upwards of 20 parishes while complementing already-existing programs and assisting parishes that don’t offer one. A former youth minister at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish…

Pope Francis announced a Year of St. Joseph in honor of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as patron of the Universal Church. The year begins Dec. 8, 2020, and concludes on Dec. 8, 2021, according to a decree authorized by the pope. The decree said that Pope Francis…

As the premier fundraising event for Catholic Charities, the annual ‘Come and See’ dinner provides a crucial means of support for the organization’s three homes for healing. Each autumn, the event raises much-needed financial support for the Interfaith Shelter for Homeless Families, Lourdeshouse Maternity Home, and Evergreen House for women…

Father John Fields, an archpriest of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, who was communication director for the archeparchy, died at his home Nov. 28. He was 70.

Pope Francis created 13 new cardinals on Nov. 28, urging them to remain vigilant lest they lose sight of their goal of the Cross and Resurrection. “All of us love Jesus, all of us want to follow him, yet we must always be vigilant to remain on the road,” Pope…

Deacon Anthony Weaver Jr. Wife: Christina Weaver Home Parish: Sacred Heart of Jesus, Lancaster Parish Assignment: Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Lancaster What drew you to serve the Diocese as…

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, What a year 2020 has become. Who would have thought that a global pandemic would impact every continent and continue to affect our daily lives, eight months after it reached our Diocese? I pray you and your loved ones have been safe during…

My Dear Friends in Christ, With this letter comes my warmest wishes for a most Blessed Thanksgiving Holiday. Thanksgiving is traditionally a time of year when we gather with family and friends in sincere gratitude for God’s abundant blessings in our lives. This year confronted all of us with so…

Knock hard and long enough on the door of opportunity, and sooner or later it comes open with an answer. For Trinity, their triumphant style of play earned them their first ever PIAA Class 2A state volleyball championship against a formidable foe in Philipsburg-Osceola on Nov. 21 at Cumberland Valley…