A few weeks ago, families of Immaculate Conception Academy in Douglassville received heartbreaking news. After years of faithful service, the school will close its doors at the end of this school year. No one ever wants to see a Catholic school close. Behind every closure are students, parents, alumni, teachers, and parishioners whose lives have been shaped by Catholic education. There are cherished memories, lifelong friendships, and faith journeys that…
Read More
Since 1957, when Notre Dame High School (also known as Notre Dame Green Pond) opened its doors in Bethlehem Township, the co-educational high school’s mission has centered on enriching students’ academic and athletic development as well as their spiritual and cultural growth. Now three new endowed funds will help ensure the Catholic school, part of the Diocese of Allentown’s school system, can continue that mission for generations to come. Futureproofing Notre Dame High…
Read More
Bishop Alfred A. Schlert of the Diocese of Allentown recently ordained six new priests at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. It was the largest ordination class in recent years. All of them have started their first parish assignments. The following assignments were made to these priests: Reverend Dominic C. Civitella, Newly Ordained to Parochial Vicar, Saint Thomas More Parish, Allentown. Reverend Tyler D. Davis, Newly Ordained to Parochial Vicar,…
Read More
Last August, Pope Leo began his Papal Audience address by inviting those gathered to meditate on the word “prepare.” The word “seems simple, but holds a precious secret of Christian life,” he said. In that spirit, the St. Joseph Center for Special Learning just took a big step to prepare to serve future generations of students by creating four donor-designated funds with the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania. The Schuylkill…
Read More
For more than seven decades, the legacy of the Pottsville Catholic High School Class of 1955 has remained woven into the fabric of Catholic education in Schuylkill County. Now, that legacy is poised to inspire future generations in an even more powerful way. The Pottsville Catholic High School Class of 1955 Scholarship Fund has officially been transferred to the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania as a permanent endowment fund, ensuring…
Read More
Seasoned Operations Professional Joins Catholic Foundation Team Geoff Geis, Operations Manager The Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania welcomes Geoff Geis to the newly created position of Operations Manager. He is responsible for creating and monitoring operational processes designed to improve efficiency and build upon the Foundation’s existing success. In addition, he will collaborate on both short- and long-term strategic goals for the Catholic Foundation and assists in driving organizational milestones…
Read More
The numbers are impressive. But the real story is what they make possible. In April 2026, the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania announced a record $1,326,995 in distributions from endowed funds supporting Catholic parishes, schools, and ministries throughout the Diocese of Allentown. Since 2016, the Foundation has now distributed more than $9.2 million, transforming generosity into steady, reliable support where it’s needed most. This year’s milestone reflects more than growth….
Read More
Back when David Lengel attended St. Joe’s Catholic School, and later Reading Central Catholic, the benefits of a Catholic education were the farthest thing from his young mind. But these days, the retired engineer has a much better appreciation for the values — namely, hard work, discipline, and respect for others — that his Catholic education instilled in him, and he wants to pay it back. “In time, what I’ve noticed…
Read More
By any measure, it is a moment that can change a life. A parishioner bows his head in prayer. He thinks of a young man he has watched serve at the altar, or greet fellow parishioners with quiet kindness, or linger in church long after Mass ends. He writes down a name. It is an act of faith. And it is the heart of the Diocese of Allentown’s renewed Called…
Read More
“Death is not the end of everything, but the beginning of something.” — Pope Francis Losing a loved one is among life’s most painful experiences. And as family and friends try to navigate that loss, they often look for a meaningful way to honor the memory and legacy of their loved one. Many find comfort through a memorial gift to an endowment fund managed by the Catholic Foundation of Eastern…
Read More