Social worker finds riches in serving others ‘from womb to tomb’
Kathy Nelson, director of St. Mary’s Residence in Philadelphia, said her 45-year career with archdiocesan Catholic Social Services has brought her rewards and satisfaction by the “hundredfold.” (Photo courtesy of Catholic Social Services)
By Gina Christian • Posted January 5, 2021
After 45 years as a social worker, Kathy Nelson says she’s seen her share of “miracles.”
“There are such stories,” said Nelson, director of St. Mary’s Residence, an archdiocesan independent living complex in Philadelphia for low-income senior women. “You can see the joy in people when the little things just connect for them.”
Local students win national Christmas artwork contest
Andrea Verch, a seventh-grader at the Regina Coeli Academy in Abington, was one of two national winners from the Philadelphia Archdiocese in the Missionary Child Association’s 2019-20 Christmas Artwork Contest. (Photo courtesy of Alixandra Holden/Missionary Child Association, Archdiocese of Philadelphia)
By Gina Christian • Posted December 18, 2020
Two area Catholic school students have been named national winners in a prestigious annual art competition for children.
Andrea Verch, a seventh grader from the Regina Coeli Academy in Abington, and Toni Frank, an eighth grader at St. James Regional Catholic School in Ridley Park, were among the 24 young artists whose designs were honored this week by the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) at the conclusion of its 2019-20 National Christmas Artwork Contest.
Students with visual impairments ‘see in different way,’ says archbishop
During a Dec. 9 visit, Archbishop Nelson Pérez told students of St. Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairments that they had been given the gift . (to) see in a different way. (Photo by Sarah Webb)
By Gina Christian • Posted December 11, 2020
Students at an archdiocesan school for those with visual impairments have been “given the gift … (to) see in a different way,” said Archbishop Nelson Pérez.
On Dec. 9, the archbishop visited St. Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairments, one of three schools of special education operated by the Philadelphia Archdiocese.
‘Primary has not gone away,’ says Primary general presidency amid COVID-19 Heidi Valente of the Mount Ensign 2nd Ward said, “While it may be that they are playing with slime at the table and having snacks, this is our virtual primary time, singing songs and learning about the gospel! It’s always fun to be together as a family.” Credit: Courtesy Heidi Valente The Allfrey and Rollins family create an at-home Primary experience using Zoom. Credit: Courtesy Christy Allfrey The Allfrey and Rollins family create an at-home Primary experience using Zoom. Credit: Courtesy Christy Allfrey The Primary leaders in the Bocaue Ward in Valenzuela, Philippines, created an incentive plan for the Primary children to memorize the 13 Articles of Faith. Credit: Courtesy Ethel Baltazar
how did you find out about the plane? my dad had called me inside, and he just looked at me. and i knew something wasn t right. and then he just told me, hey, your mom and sister have been missing. reporter: your dad must have been all ripped up, huh? there s nothing you can say. i mean he didn t there was no way that he could explain to his son that his sister and mom are gone. reporter: and imagine you hope that somebody s crawled out of the wreckage and they ve got some food and water and they re in a little tent waiting for search and rescue to find them but that s the only thing i could pray for. reporter: as cody was praying for a miracle, mona s sister lisa also got a phone call, from another sister. and she s crying hysterically. and she said that mona and lindsey had left on a plane, and the plane had never reached its destination. and they didn t know where it