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The proposed Saint Katharine Drexel Place will serve eligible seniors aged 62 and older with 48 one-bedroom housing units. (Photo: Catholic Housing and Community Services) At the end of October, residents of Northeast Philadelphia were invited to a community meeting to learn about Catholic Housing and Community Services’ (CHCS) proposed Saint Katharine Drexel Place. Saint Katharine Drexel Place will serve eligible seniors aged 62 and older with 48 one-bedroom housing units, six of which will be fully accessible for persons with disabilities. There will also be a rich continuum of on-site supportive services including case management, health services, and recreational activities. Supportive services will be provided by CHCS through its extensive network of collaborative partnerships. The 52,000 total square foot development includes the renovation of an existing three-story friary building that housed the friars who taught at Archbishop Ryan for decades, along with new construction of a three-story

(Photo: Bishop Shanahan High School) For almost three decades, Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (NDS), has hosted its holiday food drive to counter hunger in the five-county area during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Last year, approximately 20,000 pounds of non-perishable food was collected through this effort. “The Holiday Food Drive is a great way for schools to support their local communities during Advent and Christmas,” says Denise Hopkins, Administrator for the NDS Community Food Program. “We are grateful to all the schools who participate and help those in need!” As a critical component of this hunger relief effort, NDS is partnering with Parish and Regional Elementary Schools and Archdiocesan High Schools throughout the Greater Philadelphia Area. NDS is also once again sponsoring its “Alternative Christmas Cards” program. This initiative aims to provide an alternative to individuals and families who wish to send non-secular Christmas cards

The Communities of Don Guanella and Divine Providence (DGDP), a ministry of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS), marked the feast of their patron, Saint Luigi Guanella (Don Guanella) with a Mass of Thanksgiving on Tuesday, October 24. Most Reverend Joseph L. Coffey, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese for Military Services, was the principal celebrant and homilist. Men and women served by The Communities of DGDP as well as their families and caregivers were in attendance for the prayerful occasion. Supporters and benefactors of the program were also invited to participate. In honor of Saint Luigi Guanella’s feast day, Archbishop Pérez released a video message as part of the celebration this year. The Archbishop said, “Today, his legacy is central to the mission of The Communities of Don Guanella and Divine Providence, a ministry of Catholic Social Services serving more than 400 men and women each day.

“Camp Rainbow” is a longstanding summer initiative of St. Edmond’s Home that provides activities, outdoor games, and special events tailored to the varied needs and abilities of its campers. Located in Rosemont (Delaware County), this Catholic Social Services (CSS) ministry is an Intermediate Care Facility for children with severe and profound intellectual and physical disabilities. Loving and compassionate staff provide an exceptional range of services and quality care for medically fragile children and young adults ages 6 weeks to 21 years. Since 1997, Camp Rainbow has offered full day programming Monday through Friday not only St. Edmond’s residents but also children from the local community with similar disabilities. At the start of camp, each camper, counselor, and staff member are assigned to a group.  Each group has their own unique color and each participant receives a camp t-shirt in the color of their group. This summer, approximately 50 campers

In 2021 Pope Francis instituted World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to celebrate the senior citizens in our lives. Our Holy Father said that the elderly are, “the link between generations, passing on the experience of life and faith to the young.” Each year, this occasion is marked on the fourth Sunday in July as a way to honor the feast day of Jesus’ grandparents, Saints Joachim and Anne. For the third annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, Archbishop Pérez released a video message as part of the celebration this year. The Archbishop said, “Today we celebrate our grandparents and the senior citizens in our lives. They have many gifts and great wisdom to share and are bountiful sources of strength, support, and hope.”   Catholic Housing and Community Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CHCS) provides support and services to older adults everyday

During the COVID-19 pandemic, households enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) received an additional payment at the end of each month to provide extra help in purchasing food. In September 2022, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services recorded 1.88 million Pennsylvanians are on SNAP, with children representing over 30% of the total. Due to recent nationwide benefit changes, SNAP households will no longer receive the additional payment. With this change, households are set to lose a minimum of $95 a month in benefits with a statewide average impact of $181 per household. During this time of increased food costs, even a minor cut in benefits will be difficult for Montgomery County residents who rely on these funds to feed themselves and their families. Food pantries play a critical role in helping those facing food insecurity and lack of access to nutritious food. Montgomery County recently presented a $500,000