Survey Finds Number of Deacons at Lowest Level Since 2011

A new survey from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Georgetown University shows that the number of permanent deacons in active ministry in the U.S. last year is the lowest since 2011, which “is [a trend] in keeping with the slow decline of the diaconate over the past several years.”

Joy, Sadness Mingle at Final Convocation for Cathedral Seminary House of Formation

Bittersweetness prevailed Saturday, May 13, as bishops, a cardinal, priests, seminarians, and their families assembled for the Class of 2023 convocation at Cathedral Seminary House of Formation. The event honored seven seminarians who are receiving bachelor’s or master’s degrees at upcoming commencement ceremonies.

Archdiocese of New York Names New Superintendent of Schools

The Archdiocese of New York announced Monday, March 27, that it has hired Sister Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ, as its new superintendent of schools, effective when current superintendent Michael Deegan retires at the end of the academic year after decades of service.

NYC Woman’s Mid-19th Century Letter Asks Pope for ‘Salvation of Blacks’

On Oct. 29, 1853, Harriet Thompson took pen to paper, wrote a letter to the pope, and started a fight for equality for blacks in the Catholic Church. Thompson was unhappy with the treatment she and her fellow African Americans were receiving not only from society but from the Church as well.