With Joy A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I had the privilege of attending the priestly ordination of Fr. Robert Rienzo in the Diocese of Allentown. My wife and Fr. Rienzo were friends back in middle and high school, and since moving back to the area, we’ve had the blessing of witnessing his journey through seminary, leading up to that day. Standing there, watching the sacrament of Holy…
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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…
Read MoreWhat the Church Needs… “Habemus Papam,” We have a pope! The world listened with anticipated joy as the traditional Latin announcement was made two weeks ago from St. Peter’s Square in Rome. And the conclave of cardinals elected the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV! This was the third papal conclave (and the third white smoke sighting) of my lifetime. When Pope Benedict XVI was elected, I was in eighth…
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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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As I Have Loved You On Holy Thursday, in the quiet of the Upper Room, Jesus gave His friends a final command: “Love one another as I have loved you.” He didn’t say: perform miracles as I have done.He didn’t say: draw crowds, preach to thousands, or build something impressive.He said: Love. And He gave that command not after a grand, awe-inspiring moment, but after something almost embarrassingly humble—He had just…
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