Archives for November 2020

Check out the most recent message from Monsignor McCormac!

Yesterday, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia released its audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020. These statements illustrate a positive result in terms of the core operating budget for the past fiscal year and an improvement of over $190 million in the underfunded balance sheet obligations over the past 8 years.

Click here for additional information. A complete copy of the audited financial statements for the Office for Financial Services (OFS) for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019 can be found at https://catholicphilly.com/.

The audited financial statements for OFS do not include financial results for the Office of Catholic Education, Catholic Social Services, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, or the Catholic Charities Appeal as all are separate entities.

Today, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced it has entered into a 99-year ground lease agreement with EM Race Vine Venture, LLC, and is commencing Phase One of the Cathedral Block Re-Development Plan.

In 2019, the Archdiocese selected EM Race Vine Venture, LLC as the Master Developer for the redevelopment of the Cathedral Block. The parties executed a Master Development Agreement in September 2019, which contemplates development of two parcels of the Cathedral Block, to be accomplished in two phases. Pursuant to the Master Development Agreement, the Archdiocese and Master Developer will enter into a long-term ground lease for each area prior to the commencement of the applicable phase.

The Archdiocese will retain ownership of the entire Cathedral Block, subject to the ground leases, and continue to utilize the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, Cathedral, Chapel and Rectory. Click here for more details.

See what exciting things are happening here at Saint Frances Cabrini!

After conducting a strategic study of the Archdiocesan system of secondary education that examined current and projected enrollments, student retention rates, regional demographic trends, capacity figures and financial solvency, a recommendation was made to the senior leadership of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia that John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls’ High School and Bishop McDevitt High School be closed at the conclusion of the 2020-2021 academic year. That recommendation was accepted by Archbishop Perez after a thorough review of the analysis as well as consultation with the senior administration of Faith in the Future, Office for Catholic Education and the Archdiocese. As a result, both schools will close permanently following the completion of the current school year.

This information was conveyed to all facets of the Hallahan and Bishop McDevitt school communities before being announced to the general public. Click here for the Archbishop’s statement. Click here to read the news release that was shared with the media by the Archdiocesan Office for Communications and contains further details. Please pray for all those impacted by today’s announcement. Thank you.

Pray: The Story of Patrick Peyton is a true story of the man behind the famous phrase, “The Family That Prays Together Stays Together.”  Father Patrick Peyton immigrated from Ireland in 1928. Upon his arrival in Pennsylvania, he became a janitor at a cathedral and rediscovered his desire to join the priesthood. He suddenly fell ill, but miraculously recovered after praying fervently for the intercession of Mary, the Mother of Christ. Father Peyton became a tireless missionary, an unlikely hero, and one of history’s greatest advocates for family prayer. 

The film is playing daily at the Water Tower Cinema (Montgomery County). Private group screenings and individual tickets are available. For more information, please visit http://watertowercinema.com/production/pray:-the-story-of-patrick-peyton/.

Check out the most recent message from Monsignor!

Check out the most recent message from Monsignor!

On Wednesday, November 4^th, the Supreme Court of the United States will hear oral arguments in the matter of Sharonell Fulton, et al. v. City of Philadelphia. This case centers on the right of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to conduct its foster care program in a manner consistent with the tenets of the Catholic faith. That right is enshrined in the founding documents of our nation and protected by the First Amendment.

Archbishop Pérez has written an Op-Ed addressing this critical juncture for freedom of religion in our city and our country. It was published online by The Philadelphia Inquirer on the afternoon of November 2^nd. You can find the full text here. Please pray for all those working for a successful resolution to this case.