The Church in Pennsylvania

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez blessed a new eight-foot-tall statue of St. John Neumann on Tuesday evening, Oct. 27. The statue is located in a memorial prayer garden outside SS. John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School in South Philadelphia.

The Millay Club, an alumni group for the school and its predecessor institutions, funded the statue through anonymous donors. The monument stands near a statue of St. Maria Goretti and fundraising bricks bearing the names of alumni and supporters.

The statue serves as a connection for alumni of Southeast Catholic High School, Bishop John Neumann High School, and St. John Neumann High School.

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez celebrated Mass at Holy Martyrs Parish in Oreland on Oct. 25.

Following the liturgy, the archbishop joined parishioners for fellowship at the Montgomery County parish. Deacon Thomas Croke serves as the parish life director at Holy Martyrs.

The Solemnity of All Saints celebrates the completed journey of the faithful who live eternally with God in heaven. This feast marks the triumph of the saints over the struggles of earthly life.

The Gospel reading for the liturgy features St. Matthew’s account of the Beatitudes. These blessings provide promises and resolutions for followers of Christ, often involving the pursuit of difficult goods or the need for perseverance through challenging life situations.

Archbishop Carroll won its sixth consecutive Philadelphia Catholic League field hockey championship on Oct. 28 at Neumann University. The top-seeded Patriots defeated the second-seeded Cardinal O’Hara 2-1.

Junior Cece Cartafalsa scored the winning goal for Archbishop Carroll. Cartafalsa returned to the field for the championship game after missing three weeks of play due to a strained hamstring. She resumed practice two days before the final and moved from her usual midfield position to left forward for the match.

Senior goalkeeper Fiona Conboy contributed to the victory with a penalty-stroke save. Conboy has started the last four championship games for the school, allowing a total of two goals during that period.

Milwaukee Brewers players displayed visible emotion following their first World Series title on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Television coverage showed players, coaches, and staff reacting to the victory with tears, shouting, and physical embraces.

The broadcast captured various reactions from the team, including players falling to the ground and removing jerseys. While the Milwaukee players celebrated with group hugs and displays of joy, members of the Tampa Bay dugout reacted with visible sadness and disappointment following the final out.

Dr. Guilherme Lopes has begun his first month as the executive director of the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia in South Philadelphia.

Lopes, a native of Brazil, previously directed campus ministry at Cabrini and Neumann universities. He succeeds the previous leadership at the shrine, which is located on Broad Street and has operated for 119 years under the Augustinian tradition.

Lopes stated that his decision to accept the position followed a period of discernment and observation of the shrine's ministry. He noted the work of Sacred Music Director Brooklyn McLaury Evangelista and the preaching of Augustinian Father Robert Guessetto during his transition into the role.

Archbishop Nelson Pérez confirmed approximately 50 young Catholics during a Mass on Oct. 26 at Queen of Peace Parish in Ardsley.

The Archbishop was joined by the pastor, Rev. James R. DeGrassa, for the liturgy at the Montgomery County parish.

Members of the first and second cohorts of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office of Catholic Education Rising Stars Leadership Academy volunteered at Martha’s Community Farm on Oct. 15.

The farm and Martha’s Choice Marketplace serve as ministries of Catholic Charities of Philadelphia. The farm produces about 20,000 pounds of produce each year for the marketplace, which operates as the largest food pantry in Montgomery County.

The Rising Stars Leadership Academy is a 14-month program launched in March 2025 by the OCE Secondary Team. The program offers mentoring, professional development, and collaboration for current and future leaders in Catholic secondary education.

A member of the Little Sisters of the Poor stated that the legalization of physician assisted suicide in three U.S. states this summer has increased the threat to the lives of frail and lonely elderly people. The author noted that 13 states and the District of Columbia now allow this practice, and it has also been legalized in France, where the religious order maintains its largest number of communities.

The author described the current situation as a providential opportunity for decisive action to defend the dignity of the elderly. The commentary suggested that the community must witness to the inviolable dignity of human life at every stage. The author also referenced Pope Leo XIV, noting his recent demonstrations of compassion toward the disabled and elderly during his trip to France.

The 41st International Eucharistic Congress, held in Philadelphia in 1976, brought together various religious leaders to discuss the theme "The Hungers of the Human Family." The event coincided with the Bicentennial of the nation and drew tens of thousands of visitors.

Notable attendees included Archbishop Fulton Sheen, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, Dorothy Day, Archbishop Hélder Câmara, Father Pedro Arrupe, S.J., and Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, who later became Pope John Paul II. During the congress, Father Arrupe, then the superior general of the Jesuits, stated that the celebration of the Eucharist is incomplete as long as hunger exists in the world.

The congress organized daily sessions focused on specific types of hunger, including hunger for God, bread, freedom, justice, the spirit, truth, and understanding. All the listed guests have since had their causes for canonization advanced.

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez consecrated the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to the Sacred Heart of Jesus during a Mass on Oct. 16. The ceremony took place at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul on the memorial of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.

About 1,200 students attended the Mass in person to represent the more than 41,000 students enrolled in Catholic schools throughout the archdiocese. The event occurred during the 175th anniversary year of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

The consecration follows a previous act by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which consecrated the nation to the Sacred Heart during the country's 250th anniversary year.

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez celebrated Mass for the annual Catholic Women’s Conference on Oct. 24 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa.

A record number of women from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia attended the event. The conference theme was “Real Beauty in an Artificial Age” and included time for prayer and fellowship.

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez celebrated Mass with the students, faculty, and staff of Sacred Heart Academy in Bryn Mawr on Oct. 21. During his visit, he also participated in the school's Grandparents Day celebration.

Bishop Mark of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown published a reflection on the sanctity of human life as the month of October 2026 concludes.

The bishop encouraged the faithful to use the Catechism of the Catholic Church, promulgated by St. John Paul II, as a resource for information regarding abortion, euthanasia, and the death penalty. He noted that the Catechism teaches that human life is sacred because it involves the creative action of God and remains in a special relationship with the Creator.

The reflection stated that human life must be protected from the moment of conception and that every person possesses an inviolable right to life. Bishop Mark also noted the Church's teaching that the sick, the handicapped, and those who are dying deserve special respect and love.

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez has appointed Jason Sorgini as the chief human resources officer for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, effective Jan. 4, 2027.

Sorgini previously served as assistant superintendent for the Methacton School District and as principal of Methacton High School. Archbishop Pérez stated that Sorgini's background in human resources and educational leadership will serve the archdiocese's parishes, schools, and ministries.

Sorgini intends to focus on listening to employees and ensuring they have the support needed to carry out their work. He holds degrees from Gwynedd Mercy University, Villanova University, and Shippensburg University, and a postdoctoral certificate from California University of Pennsylvania.

The latest edition of the Discover Catholic Philadelphia guide is available for free digital download at DiscoverCatholic.com. This annual full-color publication identifies Catholic churches, shrines, and historic landmarks throughout the Delaware Valley.

The guide belongs to a series founded by Matthew Pinto, founder of the Exton, Pennsylvania-based Ascension Press. Previous print editions of the Philadelphia guide have seen more than 50,000 copies distributed through area parishes, local conferences, hotels, and highway rest stops.

Catholic Charities will provide heating assistance to families within the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown this winter. The organization is sharing information to help qualified individuals secure grants as home heating costs are expected to rise.

The Pennsylvania LIHEAP season begins Monday, November 2, 2026, and continues through April 23, 2027. Renters and homeowners may qualify based on annual income limits. For the 2026–27 season, the income limits are $23,940 for one person, $32,460 for two people, and $49,500 for four people, with an additional $8,520 allowed for each extra person in the household. Applicants do not need to be on public assistance or have an unpaid heating bill to qualify. Approved funds are paid directly to utility or fuel providers as a credit on the client's account.

LIHEAP crisis grants are also available for heating emergencies, such as fuel shutoffs or broken heating systems. Individuals who received LIHEAP last season should receive a registration number via postcard to apply before November 2. Others may apply online at www.compass.state.pa.us, contact a local County Assistance Office, or call the LIHEAP Client Helpline at 1-866-857-7095 on or after November 2.

Catholic Charities advises those who do not qualify for these specific programs to contact their office at (814) 535-6538 for assistance with alternative resources.

Columnist Jonathan Nagy described his recent attempt to find spiritual peace by disconnecting from electronic communications for several hours.

Writing for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Nagy recounted a Sunday afternoon where he placed his phone on airplane mode and turned off all electronics, except for his earbuds to listen to a Bible reading app. He spent the time performing yard work and preparing food, noting that he remained disconnected from the world for approximately five hours.

Nagy compared his experience to the life of Saint Meinrad, a Benedictine monk who lived as a hermit devoted to prayer and work. Nagy noted that while he eventually reconnected to his messages, the experience led him to pray for a better balance between his worldly obligations and the need for quiet solitude with God.

Bishop John J. McIntyre blessed a new Catholic Charities of Philadelphia warehouse in Delaware County on Oct. 21.

The building will serve as a space for the organization’s Community Food Program. This program provides food to 1.8 million individuals and families facing food insecurity each year across the five counties of the Philadelphia area.

Father Rich Tomkosky of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown noted that approved apparitions share common spiritual exhortations. These apparitions, which include those at Guadalupe, LaSalette, Lourdes, Champion, Fatima, Akita, and Kibeho, serve as supplements to Sacred Scripture and Tradition.

According to Father Tomkosky, Our Lady urges the daily practice of the Rosary at these sites. At Kibeho, Rwanda, during 1981-82, she taught the Seven Sorrows Rosary. He noted that these prayers, particularly on Tuesdays and Saturdays, are intended to seek peace in the world and the conversion of sinners. Other common encouragements include the Divine Mercy chaplet and daily Mass.

The Catholic Church observes November as a month dedicated to praying for the deceased.

On November 1, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints to honor those in heaven, including canonized saints and all who have been made holy through God's grace. On November 2, the Church observes the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, also known as All Souls Day. This day is a specific time to pray for those who have died and may require purification before entering heaven.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, those who die in God's grace but are not yet perfectly purified undergo a final purification in Purgatory. The practice of praying for the dead finds a biblical foundation in 2 Maccabees 12:44-46.