http://archphila.org/press releases/index.htmPress Releasesen-uswebmaster@adphila.orgAOC ITShttp://archphila.org/images/archlogo2004.gifhttp://archphila.org/press releases/index.htm3188Friday, 3 February 2012When I Wrote To The People Of The Archdiocese On December 8 Last Year, I Said That We'd Face A Great Many Legal And Financial Issues In 2012. Last Sunday, January 29, One Of Those Challenges Made Philadelphia Inquirer Headlines. A Senior Member Of The Archdiocesan Staff Stole More Than $900,000 Of Our People's Resources Before Being Discovered And Fired Last Summer. Our Normal Outside Auditing Firm -- Independent And Nationally Respected -- Had Previously Found No Evidence Of Criminal Activity. The Story Is Not New. In Fact, News Media First Reported This Story Last July. But Neither The Church Nor The District Attorney's Office Knew The Scope Of The Loss Until Last Fall. We've Been Silent On This Matter Until Now For Obvious Reasons: To Allow Law Enforcement To Do Its Work. Circumstances Have Now Changed. People Are Angry About This Loss, And They're Right. So Am I. There's No Excuse For It. Non-profit Organizations - Like Foundations, Churches, Museums And Many Hospitals - Tend To Draw Mission-driven People As Staff. Most Of Their Employees Are Honest. A Few Are Not. And In A Work Environment Based On Shared Beliefs And Service, A Dishonest Person Can Do Massive Damage. Precisely Because Religious Organizations Run On The Good Will Of The People They Serve And The Dedication Of Their Staffs, They Can Easily Become Too Trusting In Their Internal Safeguards. But That Only Makes The Need For Tight Financial Controls And Accounting Procedures More Urgent. It's Important To Keep A Few Facts In Mind As This Story Plays Out Over The Coming Weeks: First, The Theft Occurred From The General Operating Funds Of The Archdiocese. Monies Donated To The Heritage Of Faith, Vision Of Hope Capital Campaign And The Annual Catholic Charities Appeal Were Not Impacted In Any Way. The Theft Also Had No Effect On The Work Of The Blue Ribbon Commission Or The Decision To Close Or Regionalize Any School. Second, Based On An Outside Forensic Financial Review Conducted By The Firms Of Parentebeard And Ballardspahr, The Theft Was Confined To One Senior Staffer. No Other Archdiocesan Staff Persons Were Involved. Third, The Archdiocese Has Worked With The District Attorney's Office Throughout This Investigation. And We Will Vigorously Pursue Restitution From The Wrong-doer. Fourth, As Bitter As This Loss Is, Insurance Will Cover Much Of It. This Is Little Comfort And Absolves No One, But As An Immediate Concern, At Least Some Of The Damage Will Be Made Whole. Moreover, Since Catholic Social Services, Catholic Health Care Services And Similar Ministries Are Separate Entities From The Archdiocese, They Suffered No Loss From The Theft. Fifth And Finally, When I Arrived In Philadelphia In September, I Began A Comprehensive Legal And Financial Review Of Archdiocesan Operations Conducted By Experienced Outside Professionals. That Independent Review Is Continuing. We've Begun To Apply Its Recommendations In The Way We Steward The Resources Entrusted To The Church By Our People. The Recruitment Of A New Chief Financial Officer Is Nearing Completion. The Search For A New Archdiocesan Controller Is Also Underway. New Procedures Are In Place In The Areas Where The Embezzlement Occurred. In The Coming Year, New And Much More Rigorous Internal Controls Will Take Effect, Along With Tighter Budget Discipline And A Demand For Improved Skills In Everyone Tasked With The Management Of Archdiocesan Resources. To Their Credit, Bishop Timothy Senior, Our Moderator Of The Curia, And Marc Fisher, The New Director Of Our Internal Auditing Efforts, Have Been A Great Help In This Difficult Process. The Task Ahead Is Large. But Protections Are Already In Effect To Help Prevent This Kind Of Damaging Criminal Activity In The Future. Working With Our Archdiocesan Priests' Council, Our Archdiocesan Finance Council And The Archdiocesan Pastoral Council Now In Formation, I Do Promise That Every Aspect Of Our Shared Life As A Church Will Be Subject In The Years Ahead To The Kind Of Clarity, Greater Accountability And Careful Stewardship Our People Deserve. ### Editor's Note: Columns Will Be Published Each Week On Www.catholicphilly.com And Can Also Be Found At Http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.htm. http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr001913.htmThursday, 2 February 2012Dear Friends In Christ, The United States Department Of Health And Human Services Announced On January 20 That Almost All Employers, Including Catholic Employers, Will Be Forced To Offer Their Employees Health Coverage That Includes Sterilization, Abortion-inducing Drugs, And Contraception. Almost All Health Insurers Will Be Forced To Include Those "services" In The Health Policies They Write. And Almost All Individuals Will Be Forced To Buy That Coverage As A Part Of Their Policies. In So Ruling, The Current Administration Has Undermined Both The Principle Of Religious Conscience And The First Amendment To The Constitution In An Unprecedented Way. Unless The Ruling Is Overturned, Faithful Catholics Will Be Forced Either To Violate Our Consciences, Or To Drop Health Coverage For Our Employees And Suffer The Penalties For Doing So. The Administration's Only Concession Was To Give Our Institutions A One-year Delay To Comply. This Is Not Merely Inadequate. It Is Dangerous. And It Betrays The Good Faith Of Many Catholics Who -- Until Now -- Have Supported The Current Administration With An Honest Will. Bishops And Lay Catholic Leaders Across The United States Have Made It Clear That We Cannot Comply With This Unjust Law Without Compromising Our Convictions And Undermining The Catholic Identity Of Many Of Our Service Ministries. This Is Not Just Another Important Issue Among The Many We Need To Be Concerned About. This Ruling Is Different. This Ruling Interferes With The Basic Right Of Catholic Citizens To Organize And Work For The Common Good As Catholics In The Public Square. Today, I Ask Of You Two Things. First, We Need To Pray For Our Country, For Our Church, And For Our Own Right To Work Freely As A Believing Community Through Our Ministries In The Public Square. Second, We Need To Act. Please Visit The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference Website At Www.pacatholic.org To Learn How To Contact Your Federal Representative And Senators. Write Them, Call Them, Visit Them -- And Help Them Understand The Deep Resistance Of Pennsylvania Catholics To This Dangerous Ruling. Please Also Visit Www.usccb.org/conscience, To Learn More About This Attack On Religious Conscience, And How To Work To Reverse The Administration's Decision. Your Action On This Issue Matters -- Not Just Today But For Many Years To Come; And In Ways That Will Shape The Ability Of The Church To Witness The Gospel Publicly Through Her Ministries Well Into The Future. Please Know That You Have My Gratitude And Daily Prayers. And Please Remember Me In Your Prayers As Well. Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.f.m. Cap. Archbishop Of Philadelphia ### Editor's Note: This Letter Was Distributed To All 266 Parishes In The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia With A Request That It Be Read At All Masses This Weekend. http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr001912.htmWednesday, 1 February 2012Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua, Archbishop Emeritus Of Philadelphia, Died On January 31, 2012 At The Age Of 88. Cardinal Bevilacqua Died In His Sleep At 9:15 P.m. At Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Where He Had Resided Since His Retirement. Cardinal Bevilacqua Served As Archbishop Of Philadelphia From February 11, 1988 To October 7, 2003. He Was Elevated To The College Of Cardinals On June 28, 1991. "i Was Greatly Saddened To Learn Of The Death Of My Predecessor Cardinal Bevilacqua," Said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.f.m. Cap. Of Philadelphia. "i Encourage All Catholics In The Archdiocese To Join Me In Praying For The Repose Of His Soul And That God Will Comfort His Family As They Mourn His Loss. Cardinal Bevilacqua Has Been Called Home By God; A Servant Of The Lord Who Loved Jesus Christ And His People." As The Leader Of The Archdiocese For 15 Years, Cardinal Bevilacqua Initiated A Renewal Process Called Catholic Faith And Life 2000 To Bring Non-practicing Catholics Back To The Church. The Renewal Process Culminated On October 22, 2000 With 40,000 Catholics Participating In A Candlelight Procession On The Benjamin Franklin Parkway In Philadelphia. Cardinal Bevilacqua Also Reached Out To Catholics In The Archdiocese Through A Weekly Live Call-in Radio Program And A Monthly Bulletin Titled, "voice Of Your Shepherd." He Regularly Made Pastoral Visits To Parishes, Schools, Nursing Homes And Other Institutions Throughout The Archdiocese And To People Of All Faiths Through His Visits To Hospitals And Prisons As Well As Ecumenical And Interreligious Outreach. In January Of 1998, With Racial Tensions Flaring In Areas Such As Grays Ferry, North Philadelphia And West Philadelphia, The Cardinal Issued "healing Through Faith And Truth," A Pastoral Letter On Racism Regarded As One Of The Most Important Documents Written During His Tenure As Archbishop Of Philadelphia. "racism Is An Intrinsic Evil That Separates Us From God," He Said In His Letter. "it Is A Moral Disease And It Is Contagious…." The Cardinal Called On "catholics And All People Of Good Will To Pray That God Will Cast Out The Demon Of Racism Wherever It Exists." Toward The End Of His Tenure, In 2002, A Grand Jury Investigation Began Into Allegations Of Clergy Sexual Abuse Which Eventually Led To The 2005 Grand Jury Report. Cardinal Bevilacqua Celebrated A Mass Of Thanksgiving For Fifteen Years Of Service In The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia On July 12, 2003. At That Time, The Cardinal Addressed The Faithful Of The Archdiocese Saying, "thank You For The Affection Which You Have Given Me Throughout These Years And For Your Active Participation In The Life Of The Church. You Have Been For Me Over The Years A Great Joy And Gift From God." Anthony Joseph Bevilacqua Was Born In Brooklyn, Ny, On June 17, 1923. He Was One Of 11 Children Born To Luigi And Maria Bevilacqua. Following His 1943 Graduation From Cathedral College, He Attended Immaculate Conception Seminary In Huntington, Ny. There He Completed The Six Years Of Philosophy And Theology Requirements And Was Ordained On June 11, 1949 At St. James Cathedral, Brooklyn. In 1956, He Received His Doctorate In Canon Law (j.c.d.) Summa Cum Laude From Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University. In 1962, He Received A Master Of Arts Degree In Political Science (m.a.) From Columbia University In New York. In 1975 Father Bevilacqua Received A Degree In Civil Law (j.d.) From St. John's University Law School In Queens, Ny. He Was Admitted To Practice As A Civil Lawyer Before The Courts Of New York State, The Courts Of The State Of Pennsylvania And The U.s. Supreme Court. In 1971, The Bishop Of Brooklyn Appointed Then-father Bevilacqua As The Founding Director Of The Catholic Migration And Refugee Office. In 1976, He Was Named Honorary Prelate By His Holiness Pope Paul Vi With The Title Of Monsignor. Also In 1976, He Was Named Chancellor Of The Brooklyn Diocese. He Remained Chancellor Of The Diocese And Director Of Its Migration And Refugee Office Until 1983. From 1968 To 1980, Monsignor Bevilacqua Was Visiting Professor Of Canon Law At The Seminary Of The Immaculate Conception In Huntington, New York. From 1977 To 1980, He Also Taught Immigration Law As An Adjunct Professor Of Law At St. John's University Law School. On November 24, 1980, He Was Ordained A Bishop And Served As Auxiliary Bishop Of The Diocese Of Brooklyn Until Pope John Paul Ii Appointed Him Bishop Of The Diocese Of Pittsburgh In 1983, Where He Served Until His Appointment As Archbishop Of Philadelphia In 1987. As Archbishop Of Philadelphia He Also Served As A Member Of Various Congregations And Councils Of The Holy See And Committees Of The United States Conference Of Catholic Bishops. "cardinal Bevilacqua's Death Comes At A Time When The Archdiocese Is Facing Extraordinary Challenges," Said Archbishop Chaput. "during This Difficult Period, I Invite All Of Our People To Come Together In Prayer For A Renewal Of Our Church And Her Mission." Cardinal Bevilacqua Is Survived By His Sister Madeline Langan Of Bayville, New York And His Brother Frank Bevilacqua Of West Simsbury, Connecticut. Funeral Arrangements: Following A Private Viewing At Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Archbishop Chaput Will Receive The Body At The Cathedral Basilica Of Saints Peter And Paul On Monday, February 6, 2012 At Approximately 5:30 P.m. A Public Viewing Will Take Place At The Cathedral Basilica From 5:30 P.m. Until 9:00 P.m. There Will Also Be A Public Viewing On Tuesday, February 7, 2012 From 8:00 A.m. To 1:00 P.m. The Solemn Funeral Mass For Cardinal Bevilacqua Will Begin At 2:00 P.m. Followed By The Rite Of Committal In The Cathedral Crypt (located Below The Main Altar). The Celebrant For The Funeral Mass Will Be Archbishop Chaput And The Homilist Will Be Monsignor Louis D'addezio. # # # Editor's Note: There Will Be Pool Coverage. Details Are To Be Determined. http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr001911.htmMonday, 30 January 2012The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Is Participating In Operation Rice Bowl For The 37th Year In A Row. Operation Rice Bowl Is A Nationwide Effort Administered By Catholic Relief Services (crs) To Alleviate Hunger Both Locally And Abroad Through Four Components: Prayer, Fasting, Learning, And Giving. Bishop John J. Mcintyre Will Preside At This Year's Kick-off. Tuesday, January 31, 2012 1:00 P.m. Visitation Food Cupboard Cardinal Bevilacqua Community Center 2646 Kensington Avenue Philadelphia, Pa 19125 Parishioners In The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Donated Almost $337,000 To Operation Rice Bowl During Lent 2011. Of That Amount, About $85,000 Stayed In The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia And Helped The Office For Nutritional Development Services Fight Hunger In The Region. The Remainder Was Distributed To Catholic Relief Services To Combat Hunger And Other Basic Human Needs Overseas. Bishop Mcintyre Will Bless The "rice Bowls" Before Their Distribution To The Parishes And Schools Of The Archdiocese. Families Are Encouraged To Place Money They Would Have Spent On Meals In The "rice Bowls" To Remember Those Who Are Poor And Hungry. ### Editor's Note: For More Information On Operation Rice Bowl Please Contact Anne H. Ayella, Crs Archdiocesan Director At 267-262-8901. For More Information On Catholic Relief Services Please Visit Http://orb.crs.org http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr001910.htmFriday, 27 January 2012The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Will Join In The National Observance Of Catholic Schools Week Beginning January 29, 2012 Through February 5, 2012. Catholic Schools Week Is An Annual Celebration Of The Values-centered, Faith-filled Education That Students Receive In Catholic Elementary, Secondary And Special Education Schools. The National Theme For Catholic Schools Week 2012 Is "faith. Academics. Service." In His Weekly Column: Catholic Schools Week - How You And I Can Help, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.f.m. Cap., Said, "we Can Honor Catholic Schools Week This Year By Actually Doing Something About The Fiscal Problems Hurting Our Schools. We Need To Press Our Lawmakers, Respectfully But Vigorously, To Pass School Choice….school Vouchers Do Not Mean "government Support For Religious Schools." That Argument Is Flatly False. No Vouchers Go To Any School, Religious Or Otherwise. Vouchers Do, However, Return The Power Of Educational Choice To Parents, Where It Belongs. In Doing So, Vouchers Make All Schools More Accountable For The Quality Of Education They Deliver. Parents Get The Voucher. Parents Choose The School. This Makes Perfect Sense." To Read The Archbishop's Full Column, Please Visit Www.catholicphilly.com. School Families Are Urged To Visit The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference Website To Join The Advocacy Network And Send A Message To Their Legislators At Www.pacatholic.org/advocacy. Total Enrollment (individual County Numbers Appear At The End Of The Release): Parish Elementary Schools: 49,172 Archdiocesan High Schools: 15,172 Archdiocesan Schools Of Special Education: 212 catholic Schools Week Events In The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia: Bishop Michael J. Fitzgerald Will Be Presented With A Catholic Schools Week Decree From Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter 11:00 A.m. Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Archdiocesan Pastoral Center - Auditorium 222 North 17th Street Philadelphia, Pa 19103 sunday, January 29, 2012 Our Lady Of Ransom Parish School: 6740 Roosevelt Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pa 19149 11:00 A.m. Following A Special Catholic Schools Week Mass, The School Will Host "art On The Walls-music In The Halls" Featuring Students' Artistic Accomplishments And Instrumental Musical Talents. Saint Jude Catholic Education Center: 323 West Butler Avenue, Chalfont, Pa 18914 11:15 A.m. - 1:15 P.m. St. Jude School Will Host An Open House Following 10 A.m. Mass. Students In Kindergarten Through 8th Grade Have A Mercy Outreach Partner Whom They Assist Throughout The Year. 7th And 8th Grade Students Have Selected Alex's Lemonade Stand As Their Mercy Outreach Partner. These Students Will Sell Lemonade And Baked Goods With Proceeds Going To Alex's Lemonade Stand. Proceeds Will Be Presented To The Organization In February. monday, January 30, 2012 Saint Ignatius Of Antioch Parish School: 995 Reading Avenue, Yardley, Pa 19067 9:00 A.m. - 11:00 A.m. Students Will Decorate Cake Boxes And Fill Them With Their Donated Items Needed For A Birthday Party Such As, Cake Mixes, Plates, Napkins And Birthday Candles For Delivery To Loaves And Fishes Pantry In Fairless Hill. Saint Isidore Parish School: 603 West Broad Street, Quakertown, Pa 18951 9:00 A.m. The School Community Is Welcoming Their New Friends From Saint Philip Neri Parish School (east Greenville, Pa). The Day Will Begin With A Prayer Service Followed By A Meet And Greet With Their New Classmates. Saint Bernadette Parish School: Bond & Turner Avenues, Drexel Hill, Pa 19026 10:30 A.m. Students Are Celebrating Their "community" By Showing Appreciation For The Mayor Of Upper Darby, Thomas N. Micozzie, As Well As Local Police And Firefighters By Singing Songs And Performing Skits. Mary, Mother Of The Redeemer Parish School: 1321 Upper State Road, North Wales 19454 12:30 P.m. Kick-off Of Soup For The Super Bowl, Mary, Mother Of The Redeemer Parish School Vs. St. Andrew Parish School (newtown). The Two Schools Are Teaming Up For A Friendly Competition To Benefit Nutritional Development Services Of The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia. Students Will Cast Their Vote For Their Super Bowl Team With Each Can Of Soup That Is Donated. At The End Of Each Day (quarter) The Two Schools Will Skype To See Who Is In The Lead. On Friday The Winning Team Will Be Announced. Saint Madeline-saint Rose Parish School: 500 Tome Street, Ridley Park, Pa 19078 1:00 P.m. Veterans Who Have Recently Returned Home From Serving Our Country Will Speak With The Student Body. At The Conclusion Of The Talk Students Will Honor The Veterans With Cards Expressing Their Gratitude For Their Service. tuesday, January 31, 2012 Visitation Bvm Parish School: 190 North Trooper Road, Norristown, Pa 19403 9:30 A.m. - 11:00 A.m. Student Service Day: Students Will Honor Local Leaders And Public Servants By Writing Letters. Archdiocesan Pastoral Center: 222 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, Pa 19103 11:00 A.m. Bishop Michael J. Fitzgerald, Who Oversees Catholic Education In The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia, Will Be Presented With A Catholic Schools Week Decree From Mayor Michael A. Nutter. Saint Norbert Parish School: 6 Greenlawn Road, Paoli, Pa 19301 2:00 P.m. - 2:30 P.m. The Chester County Police Canine Unit Will Speak To The Student Body On How They Protect The Community By Using Specially Trained Dogs. The County's Canine Unit Is Funded Through Donations Only. On Wednesday, February 1, 2012 From 1:15 P.m. - 2:30 P.m. The School, Whose Mascot Is The "bulldog," Will Hold A "dogs For Dogs" Dance-a-thon With All Proceeds Going To The Chester County Police Canine Unity. wednesday, February 1, 2012 Saint Eleanor Parish School: 701 Locust Street, Collegeville, Pa 19426 9:00 A.m. - 11:00 A.m. Students Will Collect Care Package Items And Write Letters To Service Men And Women Stationed In Afghanistan. Our Lady Of Grace Parish School: 300 Hulmeville Avenue, Penndel, Pa 19047 10:00 A.m. - 12:30 P.m. "project Sock Hop" Students Have Earned Money By Doing Chores At Home To Buy Socks, Hats And Gloves To Donate To The Homeless. Saint Anastasia Parish School: 4:30 P.m. - 7:30 P.m. The Faculty And Staff Of Saint Anastasia Parish School Will Work At The Local Mcdonald's, 3524 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, Pa 19073, Cooking And Serving Meals To School Families. Proceeds From The Evening's Sales Will Be Donated To A Family In The Parish. thursday, February 2, 2012 Saint Anthony-saint Joseph Parish School: 260 Forest Avenue, Ambler, Pa 19002 8:30 A.m. -10:15 A.m. The School Is Closing And Joining With Two Other Schools To Form A Regional School. The Administration Is Using This Opportunity To Discuss How The "winds Of Change" Can Be Used As A Force For Improvement In Their Lives. They Have Faith That The Changes Are Happening For The Good. The School Community Will Participate In A "winds Of Change" Showcase. In The Days Leading Up To The Showcase, Students Will Read The Book "leif Catches The Wind" (a Story About Mechanical Engineering). Students Will Work In Their Classrooms To Design A Functioning Windmill Based On The Directions Given In The Book. During Catholic Schools Week, Students Will Meet In Multi-age Groups To Design A Larger, Improved Windmill. They Will Be Given A $50.00 Budget And Need To Buy Supplies Within That Budget To Create Their New Windmill, Which Will Be Functional. Saint Andrew Parish School: 535 Mason Avenue, Drexel Hill, Pa 19026 10:30 A.m. As Part Of Their Ongoing School Project, Students Will Skype With Troops At Camp Leatherneck. Items For Care Packages Have Been Collected Over The Last Two Weeks. Students Will Pack Items And Prepare Them For Shipping. Students' Letters To The Marines Will Go In Each Package Sent. Our Lady Of The Assumption Parish School: 135 Fairfield Lane, Strafford, Pa 19087 10:00 A.m. - 10:30 A.m. Students Are Participating In A Baby Drive In Conjunction With Our Lady Of The Assumption Parish Outreach And Bringing In Items Such As Diapers, Formula And Wipes To Donate To Families In Need. Students Will Prepare Packages And Make Cards To Send To Families. Bishop Mcdevitt High School: 125 Royal Avenue, Wyncote, Pa 19095 9:05 A.m. - 10:30 A.m. Will Host Its 7th Annual Papal Colloquium. Bishop John Mcintyre Will Celebrate The Opening Liturgy. 10:35 A.m. - 11:45 A.m. Mr. Brian Butler Will Give The Keynote Address On The Topic Of "theology Of The Body." Over 400 Student Leaders From Throughout The Archdiocese Will Be Present. Nativity Of Our Lord Parish School: 7:00 P.m. Father Angelo Citino, Pastor Of Nativity Of Our Lord Parish And Ms. Roselee Maddaloni, Principal Of Nativity Of Our Lord Parish School, Will Accept Commendation From Warminster Township, 401 Gibson Avenue Warminster, Pa 18974, At Their Supervisors Meeting Recognizing The Awarding Of The National Blue Ribbon School Of Excellence To Nativity Of Our Lord Parish School. friday, February 3, 2012 Saint Christopher Parish School, 13305 Proctor Road, Philadelphia, Pa 19116 10:30 A.m. - 11:30 A.m. Students Are Participating In Their Own Version Of "are Your Smarter Than A St. Christopher's Student?" The Event Is Taking Place In Trainer Hall. Saint Mary Interparochial School, Fifth And Locust Streets, Philadelphia, Pa 19106 11:00 A.m. - 2:00 P.m. Alumni Are Invited To Talk To Students In Grades 7 And 8 About Their Professional Experiences. Saint Anthony-saint Joseph Parish School: 260 Forest Avenue, Ambler, Pa 19002 10:00 A.m. - 12:00 P.m. An Alumnus Of Saint Anthony-saint Joseph Is Planning A Dance-a-thon At The School To Benefit Families Who Have Children With Cancer. The Former Student Is An Active Member In The "thon" Movement At The Pennsylvania State University. Bishop Shanahan High School, 220 Woodbine Road, Downingtown, Pa 19335 8:40 A.m. - 9:57 A.m. Celebrate The Service Day! Former Student Derek Fiorenza Will Give A Short Presentation To Students About The Importance Of Giving "service" To School And Community. Students Who Are Of Service To The School Community Will Be Nominated By Teachers And Coaches And Will Be Recognized With A Certificate. saturday, February 4, 2012 Saint Helena Parish School: 6:30 P.m. - Midnight. The Home And School Association Is Sponsoring "hooray For Hollywood" Gala At Blue Bell Country Club All Proceeds Going To The School's Technology Program. The Evening Will Include A Silent And Live Auction. important Facts To Know About Archdiocesan Schools: parish And Regional Elementary Schools: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery And Philadelphia Counties Bucks County: 20 Schools, 6,463 Students Chester County: 16 Schools 5,435 Students Delaware County: 29 Schools, 8,291 Students Montgomery County: 34 Schools, 9,930 Students Philadelphia County: 57 Schools, 19,161 Students Total Schools: 156 Elementary Schools Total Enrollment: 49,172 high Schools: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery And Philadelphia Counties Bucks County: 2 Schools, 1,615 Students Chester County: 1 School, 1,197 Students Delaware County: 3 Schools, 3,286 Students Montgomery County: 3 Schools, 2,251 Students Philadelphia County: 8 Schools, 6,823 Students Total Schools: 17 Secondary Schools Total Enrollment: 15,172 special Education: 4 Schools Of Special Education St. Lucy Day School For Children With Visual Impairments Archbishop Ryan School For The Deaf St. Katherine Day School Our Lady Of Confidence Day School Total Enrollment: 212 # # # Blue Ribbon Commission Update: Parish Schools Involved In The Regionalization Plan Recommended By The Commission Continue To Formalize Their Joint Implementation Teams And Pursue Key Milestones In Their Facilitation Process. The Goal For These Schools Is To Be Prepared For Open Houses On March 25, 2012. For Further Updates, Please Visit Www.faithinthefuture.com. http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr001909.htmThursday, 26 January 2012Monday, January 29, Begins Catholic Schools Week. It's A Time To Honor The Unique Value Of Catholic Education. Here In The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia, We Have A Long Record Of Dedicated Service By The Women And Men Who Teach In Our Classrooms And Run The "business" Of Catholic Schools. That Record Includes The Legacy Of Thousands Of Women And Men Religious And Diocesan Clergy. In The Single Academic Year Of 1963-64, More Than 4,100 Religious And 1,600 Laypersons Taught More Than 263,000 Students Enrolled In Our Schools. Today, Scores Of Our Pastors Make Extraordinary Commitments Of Parish Funds To Keep Our Schools Open And Excellent. Unfortunately, Schools Run On Resources, Not Simply Good Will And Heroic Service. Our Schools Can No Longer Count On Unlimited Church Support. The Resources Simply Don't Exist. Many Of Our Parishes Are Financially Strained. The Archdiocese Itself Faces Serious Financial And Organizational Challenges That Have Been Developing For Many Years And Cannot Be Ignored. So Where Does That Leave Us? We Can Honor Catholic Schools Week This Year By Actually Doing Something About The Fiscal Problems Hurting Our Schools. We Need To Press Our Lawmakers, Respectfully But Vigorously, To Pass School Choice. First, We Need Some Clarity: School Vouchers Do Not Mean "government Support For Religious Schools." That Argument Is Flatly False. No Vouchers Go To Any School, Religious Or Otherwise. Vouchers Do, However, Return The Power Of Educational Choice To Parents, Where It Belongs. In Doing So, Vouchers Make All Schools More Accountable For The Quality Of Education They Deliver. Parents Get The Voucher. Parents Choose The School. This Makes Perfect Sense. And If A School Offers A Poor Education For Young People, Parents Will Rightly Vote With Their Feet -- And Their Vouchers. Of Course, Most Catholic Schools Do The Opposite: They Offer A Strong Education, In A Safe Environment, With A Focus On Developing Good Moral Character. That's Why Parents Are So Upset When They Close. Some People Argue That School Choice Legislation Only Helps Families In Poor Areas. Helping The Poor Is Obviously Vital, And Vouchers Would Accomplish That. But Vouchers Would Also Assist Many More Families Than The Poor. If Vouchers Are Approved, They Will Free Up What's Known As Eitc Funds -- Educational Improvement Tax Credit Funds - Along With Other Grant And Scholarship Monies For Many Thousands Of Other School Families. In Effect, The Positive Impact Of Vouchers Translates To Millions Of Dollars Of Additional Educational Resources Potentially Available To A Wide Range Of School Families Each Year - Including Catholic School Families. Now Here's An Unhappy Fact: In 2011, The Bishops Of Pennsylvania Made The Passage Of Vouchers One Of Their Priority Legislative Issues. People Like Bob O'hara In Our Statewide Catholic Bishops' Conference And Jason Budd In Our Archdiocesan Office Of Catholic Education Worked Hard To Mobilize Catholic Support. Their Efforts Failed - And Not Because They Didn't Try, But Because Too Few People In The Pews Listened. Very Few Catholics Called Or Wrote Their State Senators And Representatives. Even Fewer Visited Their Offices To Lobby As Citizens. Despite This, Vouchers Passed In The State Senate, Before Stalling In The House. One Non-catholic School Choice Activist - Who Has Poured Years Of His Time And Millions Of Dollars Of His Own Resources Into Fighting For Vouchers As A Social Justice Issue - Was Baffled At The Inability Of Catholics To Mobilize Around An Issue So Obviously Vital To The Public Interest And So Clearly Helpful To The Survival Of Their Own Schools. In The Coming Week I'll Be Writing Every State Senator And Representative In The Territory Of The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia To Press Them To Support School Vouchers. And I'll Continue Doing It Until Vouchers Pass. I Hope My Brother Bishops And Pastors Across The State Will Do The Same. More Importantly: Our Catholic People Need To Do The Same. Elected Officials Do Listen, And They Act When The Noise Gets Loud Enough. If Nothing Else, The Crisis Of Philadelphia's Catholic Schools Is An Unpleasant But Finally Very Healthy Wake Up Call. The Bill For Our Failure To Pass School Choice Over The Past Decade Has Come Due. Now We're Paying For It. When Vouchers Stalled, Yet Again, In The Pennsylvania House Last Fall, A Frustrated Catholic School Teacher Friend Of Mine Said "catholics Are Suckers." I Don't Believe That. But Then, I'm New In Town. If We Philadelphia Catholics Love Our Catholic Schools, And We Obviously Do, Then The Time To Get Active And Focused Is Now. We Need To Begin Pressing Our State Lawmakers To Pass The School Choice Legislation -- Including Vouchers And Expanded Eitc Credits - That's Currently Pending In Harrisburg. And We Need To Do It This Week, Today, Right Now. I Plan To Do That. I Hope You'll Join Me. For More Information On School Choice, And To Contact Your Legislator, Please Visit: Http://tinyurl.com/paschoolchoice ### Editor's Note: Columns Will Be Published Each Thursday Morning On Www.catholicphilly.com And Can Also Be Found At Http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/statements/statements.htm. http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr001908.htmThursday, 26 January 2012Archbishop Zygmut Zimowski, President Of The Pontifical Council For Healthcare Workers, Will Be The Keynote Speaker And Offer Reflections On The Message Of Pope Benedict Xvi For The 2012 World Day For The Sick. Saturday, February 11, 2011 11:00 A.m. (conference) 3:30 P.m. (mass) Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary 100 East Wynnewood Road Wynnewood, Pa 19096 (montgomery County) This Conference Is Open To The Public Free Of Charge With Advance Registration. Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.f.m. Cap. Will Be The Homilist At A Mass Celebrated For All Participants By Archbishop Zimowski At The Conclusion Of The Conference. Following Lunch, Presenters At The Conference Will Include: Dr. John Haas, Director Of The National Catholic Bioethics Center; Mr. Ron Rak, President And Ceo Of Saint Peter Healthcare System; And Dr. Nayan Kothari, Associate Dean Of Education At Drexel University. The Pontifical Council For Healthcare Workers Is A Vatican Body. Its Mission Is To Assist Those Who Care For The Sick And To Spread The Church's Teaching On The Spiritual And Moral Aspects Of Illness As Well As The Meaning Of Human Suffering. ### Editor's Note: To Register For The Conference Please Contact Connie Scharff At (215) 587-0504 Or Cscharff@adphila.org. Registration Is Free. Lunch Will Be Available At The Seminary For A Nominal Fee. http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr001907.htmFriday, 20 January 2012Reverend Santo R. Garzarelli, Retired, Resident, Saint Francis Country House, Darby, Died At Saint Francis Country House On Thursday, January 19, 2012. Father Garzarelli Was Born On November 9, 1926, In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He Is The Son Of The Late Fred Garzarelli And The Late Theresa Colagreco. Father Garzarelli Attended Saint Donato Parochial School, Philadelphia, Saint Thomas More High School, Philadelphia, And The College Of St. Charles Borromeo, Columbus, Ohio, Before Studying For The Pontifical Institute For Foreign Missions In Newark, Ohio, And Detroit, Michigan. Father Garzarelli Was Ordained For The Pontifical Institute For Foreign Missions (pime), On March 18, 1961, By Most Reverend John Donavan, In Detroit, Michigan, And Was Incardinated Into The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia On September 24, 1975. As A Pime Missionary Priest He Served In Hong Kong, India, And New Guinea. Father Garzarelli Served As Parochial Vicar At Saints Cosmas And Damian Parish, Conshohocken; Saint Patrick Parish, Kennett Square; Mater Dolorosa Parish, Philadelphia; And Our Lady Of Consolation Parish, Philadelphia. Father Garzarelli Served As Pastor, Mater Dolorosa Parish, Philadelphia, From 1982-1994. He Also Served As Parochial Vicar With The Status Of Senior Priest At Our Lady Of Calvary Parish, Philadelphia. He Retired From Active Ministry In 2002. The Reception Of The Body Will Be Held At Saint Donato Church, Philadelphia, On Thursday, January 26, 2012, At 9:00 Am, Followed By A Viewing. Most Reverend Louis A. Desimone Will Celebrate A Funeral Mass For Father Garzarelli At Saint Donato Church, Philadelphia, On Thursday, January 26, 2012, At 11:00 Am. Concelebrating The Funeral Mass Will Be Reverend Ferdinand Buccafurni, Reverend Monsignor Anthony J. D'angelico, Reverend Gasper A. Genuardi, Reverend John P. Hutter, And Reverend John P. Paul. Bishop Desimone Will Be The Homilist. Father Garzarelli Is Survived By His Sister, Camilla M. Stone And Nieces And Nephews. Interment Will Be At Saints Peter And Paul Cemetery, Springfield. ###http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr001906.htmTuesday, 10 January 2012Reverend Jerome Pohl, Retired, Died On Monday, January 9, 2012. Father Pohl Was Born On July 16, 1932, In Oborniki, Poland. He Was Ordained On July 1, 1967, By His Eminence Cardinal Boleslaw Kominek For The Archdiocese Of Wroclaw, Poland, And Was Incardinated Into The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia On May 30, 1984. Father Pohl Served As Parochial Vicar At Saint Laurentius Parish, Philadelphia; Saint Hedwig Parish, Chester; Saint Mary Parish, Conshohocken; And Saint Adalbert Parish, Philadelphia. He Retired From Active Ministry In June 2003. Father Pohl's Funeral Will Be Held In Poland On Friday, January 13, 2012. ###http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr001905.htmMonday, 9 January 2012Deacon William C. Shire, Permanent Deacon, Saint Michael The Archangel Parish, Levittown, Died On Thursday, January 5, 2012. Deacon Shire Was Born On August 26, 1941 In Bristol, Pa. He Was Retired As Regional Manager From Conductive Containers, Incorporated. Deacon Shire Was Ordained A Permanent Deacon On May 31, 2008, At The Cathedral Basilica Of Saints Peter And Paul, Philadelphia, By His Eminence Cardinal Justin Rigali. Deacon Shire Served As Permanent Deacon, Saint Michael The Archangel Parish, Levittown, Since His Ordination. Visitation Will Be Held On Wednesday, January 11, 2012, From 6:00 - 9:00 Pm, And On Thursday, January 12, 2012, Beginning At 8:30 Am, At Saint Michael The Archangel Church, 66 Levittown Parkway, Levittown. Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.f.m. Cap., Will Celebrate A Funeral Mass For Deacon Shire At Saint Michael The Archangel Church, Levittown, On Thursday, January 12, 2012 At 10:00 Am. Concelebrating The Funeral Mass And Serving As Homilist Will Be Reverend Michael C. Diiorio. Deacon Of The Word Will Be Deacon Mark H. Dillon And Deacon Of The Eucharist Will Be Deacon Harry J. Simpson. Deacon Shire Is Survived By His Wife, Margaret, Two Children William Shire, Iii And Patricia Armstrong And Three Grandchildren. Interment Will Be At Our Lady Of Grace Cemetery, Penndel. ###http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr001904.htm