New Pope Francis Elected: Catholics in Lansdale Area React

The white smoke appeared on Wednesday, signalling that the conclave had chosen Argentinian Jesuit Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio to be the new head of the Catholic Church. Locals across the community responded.

In speaking with Catholics in the Lansdale area, there was a consensus among many: Pope Francis was a welcome surprise. "It wasn't one of the big names you heard floating around, as early as this morning," said Daniel McCarthy, theology department chair and interim assistant principal of student affairs at Lansdale Catholic High School. McCarthy said Pope Francis seems like somebody who's willing to turn over a new leaf for the Catholic Church. "He seems like a grandfatherly figure. There's a certain gentleness about him. I really did not know him before he stepped out on that balcony," he said. Lansdale Catholic 10th-grader Sam Noti, of Hatfield, said no one has an idea of what Francis I has done in the past. "I want to see, over the next…

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Local Priests Respond to Pope Benedict XVI Resignation

Priests from St. Stanislaus in Lansdale and Corpus Christi Church in Upper Gwynedd were 'surprised' at the news, and called Pope Benedict XVI's resignation an 'act of humility'

With the announcement Monday of Pope Benedict XVI resigning at the end of February due to failing health — something that has not occurred in more than 600 years — local priests of Catholic churches in the Montgomeryville-Lansdale area were first and foremost surprised at the news. "I was surprised to hear the announcement this morning, but I don't think it's a coincidence he announced it today, The World Day of the Sick on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes," said Father Philip Forlano, parochial vicar at St. Stanislaus Church in Lansdale. Forlano said Monday, Feb. 11 is the day where Catholics pray for the sick and recognize the face of Christ in the sick and suffering. He said these moments, as in the initial apparation of Our Lady of …

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Local Comics Fans Respond to Peter Parker's Demise

Marvel Comics has killed off Peter Parker, the alter ego of Spider-Man, in Issue 700 of "The Amazing Spider-Man." Arch-enemy Dr. Octopus is the new Spider-Man

Like Superman, Batman, Wolverine and Captain America before him, Peter Parker — The Amazing Spider-Man — is dead. According to the Associated Press, Parker met his end in Issue 700 of The Amazing Spider-Man. In that issue, he and long-time villain Doctor Octopus switch bodies, Freaky Friday-style, leaving Parker trapped in Octopus' dying body. Meanwhile, Octopus takes over as Spiderman, and tries his hand at being a hero. The new Spider-Man storyline continues in the premiere of "The Superior Spider-Man" and "Avenging Spider-Man No. 15.1." Over at Royal Comics and Gaming in Lansdale, the backlash from comic book fanboys has been split. "Over half of them are upset, and the other quarter or so left — who, basically, have been reading the …

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Residents React to Lansdale Branding Results

Lansdale Patch readers took to the site to express their opinions for or against the new Landale branding initiative

The Lansdale branding initiative — logo, tagline, research and all — has been in effect for five days. Since then, Lansdale staff has seen the recommendations and how to implement the brand moving forward over the next two years. Lansdale council and the borough manager have recently responded to criticisms from residents and non-residents alike, and even outlined the goals in a brand narrative. Those criticisms were expressed by Montgomeryville-Lansdale Patch fans and Facebook followers over the past week. Want to know what people are saying about Lansdale's new branding package?  You can read the first post and comment thread here.  A second posting and response on the branding can be read here. The third and most recent posting can be …

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Councilmembers, Residents Mixed on 311 W. Main Recommendation

Residents and councilmembers debated with the 311 W. Main Task Force last week on their recommendation of a full renovation of the former arts center. Their biggest gripe: What's it going to cost to operate the center?

The 311 W. Main Task Force voted 8-1-2 last Tuesday to recommend a full renovation of the former Masonic Temple into an arts and cultural center. In its recommendation, the task force defended its vote with two reasons: it will show to investors that Lansdale is willing to make a commitment toward its future and the economic development of the town, and it will avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, where phased development and mismanagement caused the initial detriment of the building. However, certain councilpeople, dignitaries and residents offered their insights into the vote, as well as support or objection of the task force's recommendation. One outspoken audience member Tuesday night was Lansdale Borough Council Vice President …

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Local Residents React to bin Laden's Death

Montgomeryville-Lansdale Patch scoured bars, 24-hour retail stores and convenience stores between midnight and 3 a.m. to gauge how people felt about bin Laden's death.

Within an hour of the announcement of the death of Osama bin Laden, Montgomeryville-Lansdale Patch went out to gauge local reaction from people at Third and Walnut Bar, Montella’s Pub, CVS at Allentown and Forty Foot roads, Wawa on Forty Foot Road, Wawa on Route 309 in Colmar, 7-11 on Allentown Road and 7-11 at Cannon Avenue and Main Street. Reaction was mixed, with some reveling in the victory of the United States and demanding we bring home our troops. One resident had a total opposite reaction. “Honestly, I couldn’t care less,” said Keith Hender, of Hatfield. “It never really bothered me in the first place. I’ve lived in this country all my life, but in the general consensus of the world, which I happen to agree with, the United States …

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Moms Talk

Mom Talk: Allergy Season is Year Around

While summertime brings on allergies caused by pollen, food allergies are a year-round threat.

Watery, itchy eyes, runny noses, sneezes, and itchy throats . . . yes, it is that time of year again—allergy season! Every day, I check the news for the tree pollen count for myself, and then I check my medicine cabinet to ensure I have enough of everyone's medications to get us through yet another season of sneezes and runny noses.  My children are a bit more irritable during this season, as some days their eyes itch so badly that they cannot stop rubbing them, and their poor noses keep running.  Fortunately, their animal/seasonal allergies are pretty much managed through proper medication, and they only suffer when tree pollen counts are extremely high or they are exposed to the dander of the animals to which they are allergic.   My …

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