Adding to the excitement of a week-long celebration for The World Meeting of Families, seeing Saint Maria Goretti’s remains a highlight of the week. The fact that it’s her body, her remains, is very attractive to the pilgrims. They see her as a powerful symbol of forgiveness and innocence. Saint Maria Goretti was one of… Read More Saint Maria Goretti is in Philadelphia for the First Time
When you walk into Travelworld in Scranton you are greeted by none other than Pope Francis. The real version of the cardboard cut-out version of the Pope has been a popular topic at the travel agency this year. Travelworld staff has spent six months organizing more than 20 buses of parishioners headed to Philadelphia next weekend… Read More Local Parish Spotlight – Diocese of Scranton
The church plans to have the Mass televised on a big screen at our parish and have folks watch and be part of a larger communal effort here. They are not organizing any bus trips to Philadelphia. Many churches are taking up a similar plan of action. Sacred Heart in Royersford is planning on having the… Read More Local Parish Update – Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Limerick PA
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced yesterday that the number of tickets for Pope Francis’ speech will be closer to 30,000 than the originally announced 50,000. 20,000 tickets have already been distributed, and the other 10,000 will be made available on Tuesday, September 8 either online at theworldmeetingoffamilies.org/tickets
The Students at Mercy Vocational High School have built a Prayer Cross for the Youth Congress of The World Meeting of Families. Multi-colored paper notes from young people will be adhered to the Cross on both side for special intentions and petitions. It can be seen at the Pennsylvania Convention Center during The World Meeting… Read More Prayer Cross to be on Display at The Pennsylvania Convention Center
Fr. Lombardi, administrator of St. Peter, Hancock and St. Patrick in Baltimore, Maryland, will help lead about 20 pilgrims on a walk to Philadelphia to see Pope Francis. The trek is about 104 miles and will take place in the week before Pope Francis arrives in Philly to attend the World Meeting of Families and… Read More Pilgrims walk to see Pope Francis in Philadelpia
When more than 1,500 priests and deacons descend from Pope Francis’ altar on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway next month to distribute Communion, some of the wafers they carry will have been made by the Poor Clares, a group of cloistered nuns in Langhorne who’ve been baking altar breads for 98 years. The 13 sisters (Poor… Read More Local Parish Spotlight – Franciscan Monastery of Saint Clare in Langhorne, PA (Poor Clare’s)
Written by Jane Mayer, “Grandmother Mayer” highlights through pictures her immigrant relatives who start businesses in Philadelphia and Ocean City, NJ. The family cottage in Ocean City is used as the town’s first Catholic Church prior to the church being built. It can be purchased at http://www.amazon.com/Grandmother-Mayer-Jane/dp/1494242419/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1440772056&sr=1-2&keywords=grandmother+mayer&pebp=1440772076953&perid=1Y7N5R5BQFNP10YAMWCD
Located at 2212 Green Street in Philadelphia, The Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters are also known as the Pink Sisters. Their Mission as a cloistered, contemplative-missionary Congregation, is the service of perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. They follow in a life of poverty, chastity and obedience, and adore God on behalf of their brothers and sisters throughout the… Read More Shrine Tour – Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters in Philadelphia, PA
From the World Meeting of Families The focus of the Papal Visit will be on Philadelphia – making Philadelphia the true centerpiece of this historic visit, although he will be making stops in Washington, D.C. and New York City. If you aren’t making plans to participate in the public Papal events during the weekend of… Read More Papal Visit Playbook – Things to do in and around Philadelphia
St. Francis of Assisi needs a television. There are so many people in the parish that would love to go to Philadelphia to see the Pope but can’t. St. Francis, which has been on Market Street in Harrisburg for 114 years – is the poorest in the Harrisburg Diocese. The majority of the parish is made up of immigrants… Read More Local Parish Spotlight – St. Francis of Assisi in Harrisburg, PA Diocese
St. Leo Magnus Catholic Church is located in Elk Township, Pennsylvania at 111 Depot Street, Ridgway. Pa. 15853. Part of the Diocese of Elk, Pa, St. Leo’s will be taking several buses to Philadelphia. 250 students from St. Leo Magnus and other smaller parishes are going to take a 6 day pilgrimage to Philadelphia in September… Read More Local Parish Spotlight – St. Leo Magnus Catholic Church in Elk, Pennsylvania
20 men of the archdiocese have entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary this year to study for the priesthood – a more than threefold increase from a year ago. This is the largest one-year spike in local vocations in a decade. Between six and 10 men of the archdiocese enter the seminary in a typical year, and… Read More Increase in Seminarians at St. Charles Seminary
Our Mother of Consolation is located in Chestnut Hill at 9 East Chestnut Hill Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19118, just a few minutes north of downtown Philadelphia. Our Mother of Consolation Parish has been preparing for Pope Francis’ visit for over a year. Preparing meant a lot of introspection and study – it can really help prepare the heart and mind… Read More Local Parish Spotlight – Our Mother of Consolation in Chestnut Hill
St. John The Beloved Catholic Church in Wilmington recently, Luz Heredia said she plans to wait until September to decide if she’s taking her family to see the Holy Father in person. At St. John The Beloved Catholic Church in Wilmington, parishioners are feverishly finalizing their plans to to see the Holy Father in person. It is… Read More Delaware Catholics prepare for the Papal Visit in September
The Archdiocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is sending 1,600 people to see the Pope. The Archdiocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has over 1,000 parishioners coming to Philadelphia. Within the Allentown diocese, at least 15 parishes are sending buses of parishioners down to Philadelphia for the papal Mass.The Archdiocese of Baltimore, Maryland is also sending about 1,000, and The Archdiocese… Read More Local Parish Spotlight – Harrisburg, Pittsburgh & Allentown
Another beautiful local parish in downtown Philadelphia is Old St. Mary’s Church. It is located at 252 South 4th Street, just steps from Independence Mall. Daily masses are said here. Old St. Mary’s was the second Roman Catholic Church in Philadelphia. It was built in 1763. You can find more information on their website at http://www.oldstmary.com
Located between 3rd and 4th streets near Walnut Street, Old St. Joseph’s Church is just a few blocks away from Independence Mall. It is open daily for masses. Old St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church is Philadelphia’s oldest Catholic community. It was founded by Jesuits in 1733 and is still staffed by Jesuits and their lay colleagues.… Read More Local Parish Spotlight – Old St. Joseph’s Church in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is home to many beautiful Catholic Churches, and many are located in Center City Philadelphia. St. John the Evangelist Church is located at 21 South 13th Street, just steps from City Hall. The Church was consecrated in 1832. It is open daily. More information can be found at their website http://www.stjohnsphilly.com
You can light a candle for a $10 donation to the World Meeting of Families and your candle will be lit at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul with your intentions laid in front of the image of the Holy Family and the official prayer of World Meeting of Families. If you cannot donate… Read More World Meeting of Families – Light a Candle
Numbering around 10,000, Vietnamese Catholics in Philadelphia are scattered across eight parishes. They intend to welcome the pope with the same warmth they received from his church when they came here first as refugees following the fall of Saigon 40 years ago this month, and later for family reunification. They’re raising funds to help those still… Read More Local Parish Spotlight – Vietnamese Catholics prepare for the Pope’s Visit to Philadelphia
Today at the Cathedral Basilica in Philadelphia, a banner was unveiled welcoming Pope Francis. The Cathedral also announce they will be providing free “drop-in” tours. The tours will cover the history and architecture of the Cathedral. You can stay updated on the specific times and dates of the tours by visiting www.http://cathedralphila.org
The Black Community is going to hold a two-day revival to plan for Pope Francis’s visit. They have plans for an African Heritage Mass, and another mass based on the culture of Ghana for Philadelphians and those who are visiting from the African Continent. More specific information will be provided as it becomes available.
The St. Martin de Porres Society is giving away 300 Scholarships to the World Meeting of Families September 22-25 in Philadelphia. The Scholarships will cover the registration fees for the World Meeting of Families which run from $125 and up. Their goal is to get more Black Families to attend the week long conference, and… Read More Local Parish Spotlight – St. Martin de Porres Church offering World Meeting of Families Scholarships
The Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania is located in the Lehigh Valley approximately 2 hours north of Philadelphia. Some local parishes have needed help in securing transportation. Many bus companies are “sold out” of available buses for the Pope’s visit, so some parishes will have to work together to get everyone to Philadelphia. Over two dozen parishes are… Read More Local Parish Spotlight – Archdiocese of Allentown Helps Parishes booking transportation
From Norristown, Pennsylvania, to New York city and beyond, Latino Catholics are excited that Pope Francis is coming to the United States. At Saint Patrick’s Church in Norristown, attendance at the weekly masses is up. Many families are planning on hosting other families from around the country. Many parishioners cite a special bond with Pope… Read More Latino Catholics are excited about Pope Francis’s Visit to the East Coast
The Archdiocese of Camden is sponsoring an “40 Days of Francis” prior to the Pope’s arrival in Philadelphia. Similar to Lent, the 40 days will signify a time of preparation. The events include a press conference on August 17, open houses, a food bank delivery relay, awards dinner and fundraising, You can keep up to… Read More Local Parish Spotlight – Archdiocese of Camden Sponsors “40 Days of Francis” event
St. Charles Seminary is located at 100 East Wynnewood Road, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania 19096 just west of the City of Philadelphia. St. Charles Borromeo Seminary is a rich resource of priestly formation and theological instruction for religious and lay men and women throughout the United States. The Seminary is comprised of four Schools of Learning: Seminary Theologate, Seminary… Read More Pope Francis’ Home During Trip to Philadelphia – St. Charles Seminary
The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul is located at 18th St. & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. The Cathedral’s construction began June 29, 1846 and the mortgage was paid off in 1880. It is known architecturally for not having any street level windows. It is approximately 250′ long, 140′ wide and 150′ tall… Read More Pope Francis’ First Stop in Philadelphia, The Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul
To keep costs down for those traveling from all over the world to see Pope Francis in Philadelphia, many people will opt for sleeping on someone’s floor. There aren’t enough beds for the more than 2 million visitors expected to flood Philadelphia when Pope Francis visits in September, particularly for those trying to be frugal. They’ll be… Read More Thousands will be sleeping on floors for Pope’s visit
About the Shrine The Shrine is located at 1019 North Fifth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123 and the Phone number is 215-627-3080. It is minutes from downtown Philadelphia on North 5th Street and Girard Avenue. Shrine hours are Monday-Saturday, 7AM-6PM, Sunday, 7AM-4:30PM. About St. John Neumann St. John Neumann was a tireless preacher of the gospel to the… Read More The National Shrine of St. John Neumann
Diocesan parishes have been asked to come up with accommodations for priests, and so far, over 90 parishes have responded. Religious brothers will be put up with local communities of brothers and sisters. All parishes have been asked to spread the word among their parishioners to make guest space available if possible.
Efforts have begun to create a lasting legacy of the papal visit to Philadelphia. Project Home hopes to raise $1.4 million dollars to help charities in the region in the name of Pope Francis. You can make a difference by making a donation to www.mercyandjustice.org “
Many local parishes will be hosting Papal masses and parties during the weekend of September 26 & 27. Going to the Parkway for many local older parishioners will not be feasible, so local parishes will be doing their best to include everyone in the excitement of the pope’s visit without the crowds.
Pope Francis In Philadelphia 