Calling all kids entering K through 6! Join us for an island adventure July 9 through 13 as we explore this year's VBS experience - Shipwrecked - Rescued by Jesus. More information, including registration and volunteer info, can be found on our VBS page. Check it out! Registrations must be received by June 22! Space is limited so don't delay!

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sharonell Fulton and other foster parents asked a Philadelphia court late yesterday to end a new City policy that is leaving foster homes sitting empty while the City is in a foster care crisis. In Sharonell Fulton, et al. v. City of Philadelphia, the City must answer for its decision to stop allowing Catholic Social Services to place children in foster homes, solely because the City disagrees with the agency’s religious beliefs – a decision the City is threatening to make permanent on June 30.

In March, the City of Philadelphia issued an urgent call for 300 new foster parents to provide loving homes for some of the over 6,000 kids in Philadelphia foster care. That same month, the City abruptly barred Catholic Social Services, one of the city’s top-rated foster agencies, from placing children with foster families. This decision makes it exponentially harder for hundreds of children in need of foster care to find homes. Foster homes are sitting empty, even as the city begs for more families to help in its foster care crisis.

“What justice is there in taking stable, loving homes away from children? If the City cuts off Catholic Social Services from foster care, foster moms like me won’t have the help and support they need to care for special-needs kids,” said Sharonell Fulton, a foster mother. “I have relied on Catholic Social Services for support for years, and the City is taking away this help and causing harm and heartache to countless families like mine.”

Sharonell has been a foster parent for over 25 years and has opened her home to over 40 children, including two children currently in her care. She strives to provide a loving, stable home and treat each child as if they were her own. To do that, Sharonell relies on Catholic Social Services’ help, including around-the-clock support and access to information and resources.

Catholic Social Services and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia have been serving children throughout Philadelphia for over a century. Their Catholic mission drives them to find loving homes for all children in their care, regardless of the child’s race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. Catholic Social Services currently serves over 100 children in foster homes. No family or individual has ever complained that the agency’s Catholic mission prevented them from fostering or adopting a child.

“For a city with so much history, the people in charge have a pretty short memory,” said Lori Windham, senior counsel at Becket, which represents the families, children and Catholic Social Services. “For a century, Catholic Social Services has been serving children in Philadelphia. Those children are the ones hurt by the City’s actions.”

Sharonell Fulton, Cecelia Paul, Toni Simms-Busch, and Catholic Social Services are represented by Becket, and have asked the court to halt the City’s harmful policy. A hearing is expected later this year.

What Can You Do to Help?

Contact the Philadelphia Mayor's Office at (215) 686-2181 or James.Kenney@phila.gov, asking the Mayor to restore foster care intakes by Catholic Social Services. You can also contact members of City Council at http://phlcouncil.com/council-members/to voice your concerns. As threats to religious liberty across the Nation continue to grow, we must stand united in Faith to preseeve our Faith. Take action today!

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has launched an new initiative to help those suffering from addiction: Hope in Christ: Spiritual Support for Addiction. You are not alone! The Church desires to be close to her children who are struggling with addiction and to bring them the healing and transforming power of Jesus Christ’s love. Visit Hope in Christ for resources for those who have an addiction as well as for their families and loved ones. You will find one-time events such as retreats and evenings of reflection, ongoing support ministries, and links to websites, articles and videos. These resources are offered as spiritual support for you and your loved ones to assist you in experiencing the extended hand that Jesus Christ is holding out to you.

Registration for the 2018-2019 program year is currently underway. The program is open to all students entering 1st through 6th grade in September. All registrations are being conducted online via Parish Giving and will require a credit card or bank transfer to submit payment. Contact Mr. Dennis M. Mueller at dre@satg1.org to obtain a registration link or for more information.

Following on the heels of our Lenten participation in Rise - A 30 Day Challenge, we have formed a Prayer and Spirituality Group for men of all ages in our parish community. We gather Friday mornings from 6:45 - 7:45 AM in the rectory basement (enter via the basement door by the rectory garage). Join us for prayer and fellowship as we discuss our roles as sons, fathers, brothers, and husbands. We are currently discussing Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted's Apostolic Exhortation to Catholic men, Into the Breach which challenges men to engage in the spiritual battle raging around us, "the battle that is wounding our children and families, the battle that is distorting the dignity of both women and men." For those unable to join us on Friday mornings, you can download the Exhortation which includes a study guide by clicking here. For more information email Dennis M. Mueller or call 215-947-3641.

Our final session is scheduled for June 19, and will focus on the topic of Catholic Social Teaching: Protecting the Dignity of the Human Person. We'll delve into Catholic social teaching by examining the five words of Jesus that form the foundation of Catholic social teaching. We'll discuss why Catholics think discussion about social issues is good for all human beings. Participants will come to understand the difference between "rights" and "responsibilities" and how the Catholic view differs from the world's view. We'll also explain why the Church insists that all human life is sacred, what the Church means by a "preferential option for the poor," and the importance of family as the fundamental unit of society. Participants will also come to understand the implications for Catholic social teaching on our economic activity and our participation in political life. Join us from 7:00 - 8:45 pm in the parish hall.

St. Albert the Great parish has begun to utilize Constant Contact in its efforts to keep parishioners informed of parish happenings, events, and other important news. If you want to be among those "in the know" consider signing up by clicking the banner below. You'll be taken to our reistration page where you can sign up to receive monthly communiques from the parish. We estimate sending an email once or twice a month. You may unsubscribe at anytime. We foresee this to be another great evangelization tool and we hope you'll consider signing up. We encourage you to share any emails received with family and friends who may then subscribe themselves.