Although we Franciscans celebrate the feast of our Father Saint Francis this week, there is another saint’s feast day this week which is important to me. On October 1, the Church remembers Saint Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897), a French cloistered […]
In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Catholic Church in Europe was powerful. Emperors cowed before popes. The Church was rich, ruled over people and had its own armies. The clergy were privileged. Even monasteries, often close to the people, […]
Each year the Center City District publishes a “State of Center City” report and analysis. During Covid, Center City fell on hard times as offices emptied, stores were shuttered, tourism sputtered and crime spiked. The 2026 State of Center City […]
It is September and the focus for many people now is on the school year which is beginning. Even though it has been many years since I have been a student, I still mark my life in terms of the […]
Early in the summer I wrote a bulletin column on the Catholic Doctrine of just war as formulated by Saint Augustine and as it is explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I recently found this article by Father […]
When I arrived at Saint John’s as pastor in 2022, I was soon told about the problem with our deteriorating patio courtyard. The presenting problem was the patio deterioration; but as we explored the basement under the patio, we realized […]
The summer of 2026 has been memorable in Center City. There were signs that described this summer as “Philadelphia’s biggest summer ever”. I think that’s accurate. First, several World Cup soccer games were played in Philadelphia and for several weeks […]
This Saturday, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary. The Assumption of Mary is the oldest feast of Mary. Belief in the Assumption of Mary originated in the eastern church (Middle East, North Africa, Greece and Turkey), where […]
According to tradition, Saint Dominic was born on August 8, 1170 and he died on August 6, 1221. Usually saints feast days are on the anniversary of their deaths, not births, but Saint Dominic’s feast is his birthday, August 8. […]
We began our capital campaign about a year and a half ago. The result has been amazing, beyond my expectations. Here is an update as of July 14: Ordinary donations: $438,690 Large donations: $725,000 Historic Preservation Fund: $50,000 All cash […]