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 […]
A few weeks ago, in a bulletin column about the real presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, I mentioned our lower church as a place of adoration and prayer. Because of my bulletin column, several people spoke to me […]
A few weeks ago, we had the annual Peter’s Pence second collection. This collection is always taken on the Sunday nearest June 29, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Peter’s Pence supports the ministry of the Pope and it […]
The 4th of July is a wonderful summer holiday. Usually it is a hot sunny day. I can’t remember a rainy 4th. When I was a boy our family joined with our aunts, uncles and cousins. Sometimes we went to […]
The decline in marriages is a huge social mega trend. According to a recent Heritage Foundation report, in 1962 more than 90% of Americans had married by age 35. By 2025, that number had fallen to 55%. In the 1960s […]
When I was a young boy in Wampum, PA, our pastor at the beginning of summer used to remind us from the pulpit and in the bulletin that everyone should remember to attend Sunday Mass during vacations. My parents were […]