Thursday, December 24, 2009 By Eileen Connelly, OSU ST. MARGARET MARY DEANERY — The Franciscan Sisters of the Poor marked the closing session of the diocesan inquiry for the cause of canonization of their foundress, Blessed Frances Schervier, on Dec. 14.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009 ST. ANDREW DEANERY — Sts. Peter and Paul Academy in Reading received an early Christmas present recently via a letter from Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk announcing the academy’s recognition as a private, independent Catholic elementary school in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009 DAYTON DEANERY — The University of Dayton has purchased 115 acres, including NCR Corporation’s former world headquarters and Old River Park, for $18 million from the global technology company, University of Dayton President Daniel J. Curran announced Dec. 21.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009 By popular demand, the following is the text of Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk’s homily for the 50th anniversary of his priesthood on Dec. 20:

Wednesday, December 23, 2009 By Sister Betty J. Lillie, S.C. The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph: Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14; Psalm 128:1-5; Colossians 3:12-21; Luke 2:41-52 Having celebrated the birth of Jesus, the structure of the holiest family in Nazareth  becomes visible. How did that family live? There is …

Monday, December 21, 2009 The Most Rev. Dennis M. Schnurr, coadjutor archbishop of Cincinnati since Oct. 17, 2008, has succeeded the Most Rev. Daniel E. Pilarczyk as archbishop, becoming the 10th ordinary (presiding bishop) of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati since its founding in 1821.

Monday, December 21, 2009 ARCHDIOCESE — The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has relocated its Mt. Washington Thrift Store to a newly constructed, stand-alone building at 2300 Beechmont Ave. The new store and donation center is 10,000 square feet, more than double the size of the previous location, and …

Loretto Jane Humbert, 89, died Wednesday, Dec. 16. She was a member of St. Vivian Parish in Cincinnati. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Vivian Church. Imwalle Memorial Funeral Home in Cincinnati is handling the arrangements.

Friday, December 18, 2009 By Mike Dyer ST. LAWRENCE DEANERY — Elder High School students and faculty members have been truly living the Gospel message this holiday season through the school’s annual food and toy drive. For more than 30 years, the all-boys school has sponsored a drive that collects …

Friday, December 18, 2009 By Eileen Connelly, OSU ARCHDIOCESE — Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk’s fellow priests from the ordination class of 1959 recall him as outstanding student who preferred reading and playing cards to athletics and demonstrated qualities even then that attested to the leader he would become.