Seventeen kindergarteners in Lisa Macchia’s class at Woodmont Academy, Cooksville, shared their love of reading with underprivileged children in Baltimore by donating nearly 150 new and gently used books to the Begin With A Book campaign. Students chose the book drive as a project to live out their Kids 4 Jesus virtue of the month...Read More

WASHINGTON – Rep. Chris Smith has called Amnesty International’s new position on abortion “outrageous” and said it creates a “major credibility gap” for the widely respected human rights organization. In a telephone interview with Catholic News Service May 18, the New Jersey Republican said Amnesty’s new position makes it “just another pro-abortion organization.” Amnesty’s claim...Read More

VATICAN CITY – The world Synod of Bishops on the Bible “is meant to change Catholic culture,” said Archbishop Terrence Prendergast of Ottawa.Read More

In an effort to cut expenses and unify the parish congregation, Transfiguration Catholic Community plans to begin celebrating Masses in only one of its three West Baltimore churches by August. Transfiguration pastor Father Mark Carter, O.F.M. Cap., and the parish council are trying to determine which church will be used for Mass and what functions...Read More

Religious newcomers to the Archdiocese of Baltimore got a crash course on their new archdiocese, learning everything from local pronunciations of ‘Bawlmer’ to where to turn for help in their ministries during a late September orientation at the Catholic Center.Read More

The Maryland State Court Catholic daughters of the Americas held their 44th Biennial State Convention May 4-6 at the Holiday Inn, BWI Airport Conference Center. The host court was St. Francis Xavier, Baltimore, who set the theme of “Smoot Sailing into the Future for Women Embracing the Gift of Humanity.” Some 150 Catholic Daughters convened...Read More

In the old days, there were ‘pen pals’ – people we wrote to, but rarely, if ever, saw. With the advent of voicemail, I have discovered ‘voice pals’. Because of my eyes, e-mail doesn’t work me, leaving voice messages does – which brings me to the reason for this column. My best ‘voice-pal’ just died.Read More

APARECIDA, Brazil – Celebrating Mass at Latin America’s biggest Marian shrine, Pope Benedict XVI said the church needs “courageous and effective missionaries” to revitalize the region’s Christian identity.Read More