When families are grieving after the loss of a loved one, Jo Ann Thomas leads an effort at St. Bernardine in West Baltimore to make sure they have a meal at the funeral repast – and for seven days following the funeral.

Monsignor Richard Bozzelli, pastor, called Thomas an “ideal parishioner.”

“If there’s a need, she just says, ‘How can I help?’” he said. “You only need five people like that and you can run a parish.”

Archbishop William E. Lori responds to Pope Francis’ decision to amend the Catechism of the Catholic Church to oppose capital punishment in all circumstances.