St. Peter Claver

On March 26, 1889, Archbishop Patrick Ryan wrote to Mother Katharine Drexel to inform her that he had secured a priest to minister to the Black Catholics in Philadelphia.[1] There had been a growing need for a dedicated ministry for some time. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Black Catholics

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Starting from Scratch: The Story of Msgr. Hawks and St. Joan of Arc Parish

Msgr. Edward Hawks was born Feb 17, 1878 in Southern Wales. He moved to Canada to study for priesthood in the Anglican church. During the Open pulpit controversy, he converted to Catholicism and was ordained by Archbishop Prendergast in 1911. He served as a chaplain in the Canadian Expeditionary Force

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Serra Club of Philadelphia

The goals of Serra International are twofold. First, Serra clubs are to foster vocations and assist in the education of young men to the priesthood. Second, they are to further Catholicism through enduring friendships among Catholic men. These goals were aligned with the creation of the Pontifical Work for Priestly

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Benedict Club: A Home Away From Home

The Benedict Club was a refuge for servicemen in Philadelphia during both World Wars. Located at 157 North 15th Street, the club was named after Pope Benedict XV, who was pope during World War I.[1] By 1919, it was considered the largest such organization of its kind, serving over 3,000

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