As more than 800 catechumens and candidates from the Archdiocese of Baltimore prepare to enter the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil, April 7, Holy Saturday morning will provide an opportunity for prayer and reflection. The elect, whose February ceremonies were cancelled because of snow, will make one final preparation at 10 a.m. during Preparation...Read More
WASHINGTON – Nearly eight months pregnant and raising her 18-month-old son as a single mom, Dominique Pointer knows that getting a federally subsidized apartment early in August was a blessing.Read More
WASHINGTON – The “mistaken views” on contraception, abortion, same-sex marriage and other church teachings expressed in two 2006 pamphlets by Marquette University theology professor Daniel C. Maguire “should not be confused with the faith and moral teaching of the Catholic Church,” the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Doctrine said. The doctrine committee’s “Statement Concerning Two Pamphlets...Read More
Imagine each day seeing and working with people who are incredibly poor, dying and alone – people few others in the world are willing to touch, much less love. Two people who were canonized last year epitomize this spirit: St. Damien of Molokai, who ministered to those with Hansen’s Disease (leprosy); and St. Jeanne Jugan,...Read More
WASHINGTON – In a spirited exchange with victims of child sex abuse, the head of the U.S. bishops’ child protection committee said March 20 that bishops must work together to prevent cover-ups of clergy child sex abuse. Cover-ups cannot be condoned and several bishops and priests have resigned over cover-ups, some after being told to...Read More
WASHINGTON – Although the third edition of the Roman Missal will become standard at English-language Masses in the United States beginning in Advent 2011, those participating in Spanish-language Masses here will have to wait a little longer for a new translation.Read More
When St. Matthew, Northwood, parishioner Dorothy E. Alford is in need of a spiritual boost or a friend, this 95-year-old Idlewood resident contacts her ‘godparents.’ She is not praying to deceased family or friends who attended her baptism – but calling the two younger women who assisted in her conversion to Catholicism three years ago....Read More
It is gut-wrenching to try to understand violent behavior and the senseless outcomes. While it challenges our conventional wisdom, each act of violence that lay on the floors of our war-ravished cities and countries, serves to shatter our illusions. They often serve as great moments of transformation. Even closer to home, we suffer the effects...Read More
Although the entire room calls Dorothy Dixon “Grandma,” she has no grandchildren. The 91-year-old soup kitchen coordinator answers to the pet name from some 100 community members who visit St. Cecilia, Baltimore, on Thursdays to eat a hot supper. The lively Ms. Dixon walks three blocks daily from her home that she shares with her...Read More
During the last week of July, Baltimore City witnessed the murder of eight people. In response to this horrific violence, city Councilman Carl Stokes is holding a prayer vigil. Where is the Catholic prayer vigil response to all of this violence? How can we bring true peace to the violent streets without a meaningful prayerful...Read More
Spring cleaning takes on a whole new meaning when preparing to sell a house. Nina Sloan, an agent for Long and Foster Realtors in Lutherville, suggests some easy and inexpensive design tips to help people sell their home as quickly as possible. Ms. Sloan recommends getting someone else, an agent or someone who does home...Read More
Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien has asked individuals to serve as guest columnists in August. William McCarthy is a parishioner of Church of the Nativity in Timonium and serves as executive director of Catholic Charities.Read More