In time for Christmas — the 2006 Catholic Directory
By christie L. Chicoine
CS&T Staff Writer
Want to send Father John D. Reardon a Christmas card, but don’t remember what parish he was named pastor of this past June?
Check out pages 121 and 250-251 of the 2006 Catholic Directory. Published annually by The Catholic Standard & Times, next year’s directory recently rolled off the presses — just in time for Christmas, at $19.95 including shipping and handling. [See ad below for additional promotions and rates, and bottom of story for information about ordering the directory.]
Father Reardon, who was previously in residence at St. Genevieve Parish in Flourtown, is now pastor of St. John of the Cross Parish, Roslyn, 2741 Woodland Road, 19001.
Priests of the Archdiocese, including those on assignment outside the Archdiocese, are listed alphabetically near the front of the directory, and according to their assignments throughout the 407-page book. Permanent deacons of the Archdiocese are also listed.
A photograph of Pope Benedict XVI with Cardinal Justin Rigali, on page 3, opens the book. A color photograph of Cardinal Rigali, and his curriculum vitae, appear on page 13.
A brief history of the Philadelphia Archdiocese, including the background for its geographical boundaries, appears on page 11.
Did you know that when it was founded in 1808, the geographical area of the Diocese of Philadelphia included all of Pennsylvania, Delaware and the southern half of New Jersey? Today, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia encompasses 2,182 square miles in five counties of southeastern Pennsylvania.
Additional statistics about the Archdiocese appear on page 12. Neighboring dioceses and contact information for their chanceries are listed on page 23.
Do you have a pressing a political question, or public-affairs concern to bring to the attention of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference? Read all about the PCC, and find out how to reach the agency, on pages 20-21.
Need to know which churches are handicapped-accessible? Look for disability access codes next to the names of parishes in a listing that begins on page 167. A detailed explanation of disability access codes appears on page 165.
The Archdiocese’s 274 parishes are divided into two sections, for those in Philadelphia and those in suburban Philadelphia. Parishes are also listed according to vicariate, cluster and year founded. To expedite a search, consult the Alphabetical Index on pages 150-154.
A compendium of Masses that are celebrated in other languages and for various ethnic groups may be found on pages 266-267.
A listing of Catholic cemeteries — both parish and diocesan — appears on page 382. Catholic hospitals are listed on pages 348-349.
The directory has something for everyone in its sections on Catholic universities, high schools and grade schools, men and women religious, retreat centers, Catholic retirement residences, Catholic shelters and sodalities, and much more.
For instance, are you hoping to spread some Christmas cheer to the little ones of the Archdiocese? Sign up to assist with, or donate toys to, Operation Santa Claus, sponsored by the Archdiocese’s Office for Youth and Young Adults. On page 31, you’ll find an explanation of OYYA, and its telephone number, (215) 965-4636.
And did you know that the Archdiocese’s Catholic Social Services is accepting new clothing for infants and children this Christmas? For more information about the clothing drive, as well as the year-round services offered by CSS, see the agency’s listing — which includes its general number (215) 587-3900 — on page 32.
Page 407 has an Advertiser Index. And, to help directory readers remember all the names and numbers they need most often, page 204 provides ample space for jotting down frequently used names and numbers.
Have a breaking news tip? Want to advertise in the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia? See page 28 for The Catholic Standard & Times’ listing.
The Catholic Directory is available in either a bound or three-hole-punch format. Binders for the three-hole format may be purchased for $5.
The directory provides an official listing of archdiocesan secretariats, offices, parishes, religious communities, schools and institutions. In addition to Cardinal Rigali, it identifies the auxiliary bishops, priests, deacons, religious and laity who assist him in his ministry to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese.
The Catholic Directory serves as a comprehensive reference source for identifying the leadership and services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Order the 2006 Catholic Directory by calling (215) 587-3667, or send a check or money order of $19.95 for each directory to The Catholic Standard & Times, 222 N. 17th St., #900, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103. Bulk quantities are available at discounted rates.
For more information, call The Catholic Standard & Times at (215) 587-3667.
CS&T Staff Writer Christie L. Chicoine can be reached at (215) 587-2468 or cchicoin@adphila.org.