In this column over the past few months, I have related several facts of the remarkable history of Saint John Church, notably the founding of Saint John’s Hospice and Holy Redeemer Chinese mission, both outgrowths of the charitable and missionary […]

The 2019 Pew Research Center survey on Catholic belief in the Eucharist rocked the US Catholic Church and spawned the “Eucharistic Revival” program of the past couple of years. In that study, 69% of US Catholics said that they believe […]

The 2023-24 summary financial report (with a comparison to the previous fiscal year) is enclosed in today’s bulletin. Please review it carefully. Here are some observations: First, I am grateful to you and to God that we collected more money […]

I am happy to be back in Philadelphia. I was elected as a delegate to the General Chapter of the Capuchin Order, a three week meeting. I was with 172 friars from all over the world. There are Capuchins in […]

I am still in Rome. On Saturday, September 7, all the members of the Capuchin Chapter went to Assisi for a day long pilgrimage. At the tomb of Saint Francis, our General Minister, made his oath of profession of faith […]

I am in Rome for the General Chapter of the Capuchin Franciscan Order. The General Chapter is the highest authority of the Order and it elects the Minister General (the major superior of the worldwide Order) and the leadership team. […]

The mission of Saint John’s has never changed, of course, but it has shifted through the years. From my reading of history, Saint John’s was a neighborhood church when it was founded in 1830. As demographics shifted and Center City […]

Center City, Philadelphia’s business and cultural center, is also a vibrant residential community. According to the Center City District’s 2024 report, Center City has 280,000 jobs and more than 200,000 residents. The Pennsylvania Convention Center received more than 860,000 visitors […]

While at prayer in the crumbling chapel of San Damiano, Saint Francis of Assisi heard the voice of Jesus tell him to rebuild the church which was falling into ruin. He took the message literally and began to repair neglected […]

When Catholics go to Jerusalem on pilgrimage and visit the Church of the Tomb of Mary, they are confused. Why is there a tomb of Mary when Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven? There should be no tomb! […]