Page 1874 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

When approaching the front of Rita Martin’s Randallstown home, one can’t help but notice the attention the New All Saints, Liberty Heights, parishioner has given to the colorful Christmas decorations illuminating the house. But it’s the aroma of baking rum cakes that really lets new arrivers know the spirit of the holidays is alive and well in the 50-year-old Baltimore City school teacher’s home. In fact, Ms. Martin’s affinity for baking has earned her the nickname “the cake lady,” among parishioners.

CRS set to relocate to the Stewarts Building

Catholic Relief Services officials told about 50 dignitaries touring the renovation site of their new headquarters Dec. 15 they hope to move all 350 employees from their current building on Fayette Street to the old Stewarts Building, the former grand dame of Baltimore department stores, by July 2007. “It will once again be a building of dreams,” said Ken Hackett, president of the international relief organization.

Weinberg Foundation: $3.5 million to Catholic Schools

A Baltimore-based Jewish foundation is pledging $3.5 million to Baltimore City Catholic schools in an effort to boost enrollment and attract even more financial support for urban-based Catholic education. In a Dec. 14 event at the Catholic Center in Baltimore, Cardinal William H. Keeler and Donn Weinberg of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation announced the Weinberg Foundation will donate $500,000 this year and $1 million for the next three years to benefit at-risk students who attend K-12 in one of 17 Catholic elementary/middle schools and three high schools. The grant is contingent on the Archdiocese of Baltimore finding matching grants from other donors.

St. Mary Saints seal second in Peery Tourney

After completing the ultimate season in 2005, with a 21-1 overall record, a Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland B Conference title, and a B Conference Prep State title, St. Mary’s, Annapolis, wrestling program has their work cut out for them. Attempting to fill 14 weight classes with a 22-man roster often has head coach Wayne Hicks and his Saints scrambling, but through team dedication, the Saints are getting the job done with a 5-2 overall record, 1-1 in the league.

Apostolate urges Kwanzaa celebrations reflect sacredness of life

NEW YORK (CNS) — The head of the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life in New York has urged that Kwanzaa observances between Christmas and New Year’s Day reflect the sacredness of life. “Kwanzaa for Life 2006 is an occasion for us African-American Catholics to renew our value of family life, celebrate our heritage and defend the sacredness of life,” Franciscan Father James Goode said in announcing Kwanzaa for Life 2006. “Our contribution as black Catholics to Kwanzaa for Life will be to choose life and help our community choose life.” This year marks the sixth annual Kwanzaa for Life sponsored by the apostolate, which is supported by all the major black Catholic organizations in the United States.

Sister Jeannine Gramick honored as Mother Teresa laureate

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (CNS) — Loretto Sister Jeannine Gramick has been honored as a laureate of the 2006 Mother Teresa Awards, sponsored by the St. Bernadette Institute of Sacred Art in Albuquerque. The award, presented in November in Los Angeles, acknowledges Sister Jeannine’s “role as American human rights activist, ministering to Catholic gays and lesbians,” according to a news release.

Younger O’Malley makes his mark

When Peter O’Malley walked into Donna’s Café & Coffee Bar in Mount Vernon on a recent afternoon, the staff was immediately thunderstruck by the 36-year-old’s startling resemblance to his brother, Gov.-elect Martin O’Malley. The Mount Washington resident and Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Homeland, parishioner and the 43-year-old future governor share the same megawatt smile. The brothers are also both law-school graduates married to attorneys who have immersed themselves in political campaigns and local government. But, insists Peter O’Malley, who will become Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith’s chief of staff Jan. 2, that is where the similarities cease.

Baltimore cardinal condemns ‘revisionist history’ of Holocaust

Cardinal William H. Keeler of Baltimore condemned “revisionist history” of the Holocaust, the systematic efforts by Nazis during World War II to do away with Jews also known as the Shoah, a Hebrew word meaning devastation or catastrophe. The cardinal took particular exception to a Dec. 11-12 conference in Iran during which speakers “sought to diminish the scope of the Holocaust.”

Polish archbishop tells dissident nuns to leave convent

A Polish archbishop told a group of nuns to leave their convent after the Vatican expelled them from their order for refusing to accept a new mother superior. “There are no private religious orders in the Catholic Church where everyone can set their own rules,” Archbishop Jozef Zycinski of Lublin told Poland’s Catholic information agency, KAI, in early December. “We should pray for these lacerated, lost and highly strung sisters.”

Traditional Interfaith service to center on blessings for 2007

Maryland Gov.-elect Martin O’Malley heads the list of participants expected at the 14th Annual New Year’s Eve Interfaith Service at St. Ignatius, Baltimore, Dec. 31. The traditional Jewish, Christian and Muslim interfaith service will begin at 8 p.m. with a 30-minute musical program, followed by prayers for blessings in the New Year.

Parishioners make CD for Gabriel Network

When the Angel Gabriel brought news of an “unexpected pregnancy” to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the young woman responded with a humble “yes” to bringing a new life into the world. In “Welcome the Child,” a newly released Christmas CD that features the music of area parishes, the decision of modern-day women to choose life is celebrated in song.

Curley win puts new spin on ice hockey season