Father Thomas Bortz, pastor of St. Ignatius Loyola Parish in Reading, Pennsylvania, is an avid baseball fan, having visited several major and minor leagues parks across the country. Fr. Bortz just has to walk out the back door of the rectory and be reminded of the challenge facing his parish’s regional Catholic school. In what amounts to a long outfield-to-home-plate throw away, sits a local public elementary school. While Father…
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Sister Marian Sgriccia, Provincial Minister for the School Sisters of Saint Francis, recognizes that the road ahead for Catholic ministries is uncertain. So, to make sure they are not walking that road alone, Sister Marian and her fellow Sisters partnered with the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania and established two new funds to help secure the future of their ministries and strengthen relationships with their supporters. “Through our partnership with…
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Eric J. Gaspar, an attorney from Lower Macungie Township, has joined the board of directors of the Catholic Foundation. He is a member of the Ford Law Office in Allentown. Gaspar has a wide range of legal experience with concentration in the areas of civil litigation and workers’ compensation defense. He also has experience in estate administration, wills, powers of attorney, real estate transactions, zoning, subdivision, land development, and matters…
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With its 100th anniversary in sight for 2026, Bethlehem Catholic High School established a clear path to its future by forging a partnership with the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania to manage its endowment fund effort. Bethlehem Catholic moved nine scholarship endowments into the Catholic Foundation — one general and eight other funds started in memory of or in honor of alumni, administrators, or friends of the school. “If you…
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Bishop Alfred Schlert ordained six Transitional Deacons on May 17, 2025, in the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. This was the largest class ordained to the Transitional Diaconate since 1981. Congratulations and God Bless to: Reverend Mr. Dominic Civitella of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish, Easton Reverend Mr. Tyler Davis of Assumption BVM Parish, Bethlehem; grew up in Coopersburg Converted to Catholicism while a student at DeSales…
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At the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania, we believe in planning not just for the present, but for eternity. Estate planning is one of the most meaningful ways Catholics can express their love for family, faith, and the causes that have shaped their lives. And yet, for many, it is a conversation they avoid out of fear of confronting uncomfortable topics like death, legal documents or thinking “I don’t…
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The Catholic Foundation welcomes Mark Quaranta, author of the beloved daily Summons, to lead readers deeper into the timeless truths of Catholicism—and into a life that leaves a lasting mark. The Catholic Foundation is excited to announce a new feature to our monthly e-newsletter: Summons To Forever written by Mark Quaranta. Our readers may recognize Quaranta’s thoughtful and thought-filled writing style from his popular daily Summons that he delivers to…
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The Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania reported a record level of distributions — $979,207 — from endowed funds that support Catholic causes throughout the Diocese of Allentown. Since 2016, the Catholic Foundation has reported a total of $5,987,684 in distributions from both endowment and donor designated funds. “The distribution process is doing what it is set up to do: provide funds to various Catholic organizations when they need it,” Pete…
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On this Holy Thursday, we express our deep gratitude to our Priests in the Diocese of Allentown. We commemorate the night Christ instituted two sacraments: the Eucharist and the Priesthood. Today, we are reminded of the sacred mission entrusted to these men, and their selfless service. Through their hands, Christ becomes present at every Mass, offering us His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity for our salvation. Priests walk with us…
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We are already two weeks into the sacred season of Lent. Easter is one month away. At the Catholic Foundation, we pray this time continues to be one of reflection, prayer, and peace for you and your loved ones. It is no coincidence that our preparation for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection corresponds with the first sounds and smells of spring bringing new life to the world. Like His creation,…
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