Chinatown: Supporting the Community Through Faith
Since its founding, Chinatown has been ever-changing–from the demographics of the area to its boundaries. Central to this community’s perseverance has been the local churches including the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and School and the Chinese Christian Church and Center. In the 1890s Chinatown was a very small section of what we think of today. […]
Mayfair: Q&A with a Business Leader Fighting a Changing Neighborhood
Angela Vanni is a Philadelphia native and an owner of Giggles Gifts, a retail gift shop which specializes in candies, cards, seasonal decorations and other possible presents. Located at 7400 Frankford Ave., it was founded by the Veneziale family in 1983 and opened during an era when these types of businesses were a common sight in Mayfair. Now, the times have changed, […]
Port Richmond: Senior Citizens Showcase Their Inner Artists And More
Friday afternoons at St. Anne’s Senior Community Center are never a bore. The weekly Clay Creations class, taught by Anne Koszalka, highlights many seniors’ weeks and gives them something to look forward to on Fridays. “About eight years ago, a fellow ceramic artist, who has been teaching at senior centers for years, needed a few […]
Olney: Francis Festival Makes Its Way To Cardinal Dougherty High School
In celebration of Pope Francis’ arrival in Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families, approximately 3,000 Vietnamese Roman Catholics gathered at Cardinal Dougherty High School to celebrate. “That’s not a church,” objected one child as his mother led him through the flag-festooned gates. The scene at the school doors defied his observation. Dozens of priests […]
Point Breeze: Church Welcomes Pilgrims from Alabama to the Neighborhood for Papal Visit
A church in Point Breeze set out to host more of a homecoming than a formal visit for a group of pilgrims traveling from Alabama to see Pope Francis in Philadelphia. The Aquinas Center, part of the St. Thomas Aquinas Church at 17th and Morris streets in Point Breeze, hosted a group of 56 pilgrims during Pope […]
Germantown: Cunningham Piano Donated an Organ for The Papal Events
The Cunningham Piano Company donated a digital organ for the Papal services that concluded yesterday with Pope Francis leading a mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. “I’m a musician, and, of course, I’m a business owner, so this works with all of my passions together,” said Cunningham co-owner Rich Galassini (pictured above). The Cunningham team […]
Education: ‘Catholic Identity Pledge’ Meets Diversity at Local Catholic Schools
Archdiocese Catholic school students found a new document slipped into their application and entrance packets: The Memorandum of Understanding. The decree, released earlier this month from the office of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia requires all parents and students enrolled, or seeking enrollment, in Catholic schools to pledge their support of one “Catholic identity” as dictated […]
Logan: Catholic High School Offers Healthy Meals Through Eatiquette
Most school lunch programs aren’t very health-conscious. Things such as chicken nuggets, frozen pizza and hot dogs are typical daily menu items in a high school lunchroom. The Vetri Foundation wanted to change this and find a way to deliver fresh and healthy and fresh food to schools throughout the Philadelphia area. In 2011, renowned […]
Germantown: Clinic Provides Care to Uninsured
In a country without universal health care where the prices of insurance and coverage are constantly on the rise, it’s getting hard to be someone living uninsured. In Philadelphia, 15 percent of adults go without health insurance according to the Pew Charitable Trusts. Many don’t get care until it’s urgent and then use the ER […]
Overbrook: Saint Donato Fights Archdiocese to Remain Open
Over the past year, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has combined parishes in various Philadelphia communities. Earlier this month, the archdiocese announced Saint Donato’s Catholic Church, in Overbrook, would merge with another Catholic church in the community, Our Lady of Lourdes. These mergers are part of the Pastoral Planning Initiative by the archdiocese. The initiative was […]