Archbishop William E. Lori will offer the 12:10 p.m. Mass Sept. 11 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York, at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pa.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore mourns the loss of Betty Contino, a beloved advocate for Catholic education whose joyful spirit and deep commitment to students touched countless lives.

For decades, Betty served as chairwoman and CEO of the Women’s Education Alliance, helping thousands of students attend Catholic schools throughout the Archdiocese while championing teachers, school leaders and the needs of Catholic education.

We give thanks to God for Betty’s life and faithful service, and we pray for the consolation of her family, friends and all who mourn her passing.

A visitation will be held at Ruck Funeral Home in Towson Sept. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Sept. 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be offered at 11 a.m. Sept. 17 at St. Joseph in Cockeysville.

May Betty rest in the peace of Christ. Please join us in praying for the repose of her soul and for all who loved her. 🙏

A New Aisle for New Beginnings

Someday, a bride will stand at the back of St. Michael (Poplar Springs), take a breath, and begin walking down the center aisle toward the person she is about to marry.

That center aisle does not exist today...but it likely will thanks to St. Michael's Come to the Table capital campaign.

A new center aisle is one of the many changes now taking shape as St. Michael undertakes a major renovation of its church, a project made possible by parishioners who have already pledged more than $2.3 million.

For Father Paul Sparklin, pastor, and the people of the St. Michael parish community, the renovation is about much more than updating a building. It is about creating a church that will serve Catholic families for generations.

The new center aisle may be one of the easiest ways to see that vision. Future brides will walk down it. Children will process through it for their First Communions. Families will gather for baptisms, confirmations and funerals. Week after week, parishioners will come together there to celebrate the Eucharist.

Those moments are what St. Michael’s parishioners are investing in.

Their generosity is transforming the church today, but the real impact of their gifts will be measured over decades, in sacraments celebrated, prayers offered, families formed and a Catholic community strengthened.

In a new video, Father Paul walks through St. Michael and shares the renovations now underway and the vision behind them.

As you watch, it is easy to see construction.

But it is even more powerful to imagine what comes next: a bride walking down a new center aisle, a family filling a pew, a child receiving a sacrament… and another generation finding a home in the Catholic Church.

More than $2.3 million has been pledged for St. Michael’s renovation, but parishioners are not simply renovating the church they inherited. They are preparing it for the people who will come after them.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COME TO THE TABLE CAMPAIGN HERE: https://www.smpschurch.org/come-to-the-table/

WATCH FATHER PAUL'S TOUR OF THE RENOVATIONS HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3KZnUE2-I0