Page 1688 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

One of the challenges of Lent is that we are tempted simply to admire Jesus, his dying to self and living for others, but to forget to imitate him! Sometimes even keeping our Lenten penance can make us more self-conscious rather than less self-conscious. That’s why it’s important to constantly be on the alert for people who really do live for others.

Bill would have ‘chilling effect’ on crisis pregnancy centers

Pro-life leaders and advocates for pregnant women are outraged by the introduction of two bills in Annapolis they say will have a “chilling effect” on the outreach efforts of crisis pregnancy centers across the state.

Parishioner’s deck serves as outdoor oasis

As the weather gets warmer, Mount Washington resident Barry Harmon begins to pull out cushions for the furniture on his deck, which becomes the most popular living space at his home.

Cardinal hopes for new impetus in church-state relations

HAVANA – Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, said he hoped his six-day visit had helped give “new impetus to relations between the church and the government of Cuba.”

Pope discusses St. Augustine’s conversion

VATICAN CITY – Calling St. Augustine “one of the greatest converts in Christian history,” Pope Benedict XVI said the writings of the North African bishop have had a huge influence on his life as a priest and theologian.

Directory shows Ireland heading toward priest shortage

DUBLIN, Ireland – New figures on vocations published in the 2008 Irish Catholic Directory indicate how quickly the country is headed toward a major shortage of priests.

Lay Ecclesial Ministry: Co-Workers in the Vineyard

Last week I met with more than 200 of our lay people at the end of their full-day conference, “Co-Workers in the Vineyard.” These dedicated people, many of whom are employed at some level of Archdiocesan and parish administration, were called together to discuss the December 2005 U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ document, “Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord: A Resource for Guiding the Development of Lay Ecclesial Ministry.”

Statute of limitations bill withdrawn

Del. Eric Bromwell of Baltimore County has withdrawn a bill that Catholic leaders feared would have devastated parishes, schools and ministries had it become law.

State lawmakers consider reporting bills

With the support of the Catholic Church, the House of Delegates unanimously passed a bill Feb. 22 requiring law enforcement agencies to notify nonpublic school superintendents or principals when one of their students is arrested for a serious crime. The Senate version of the bill is now under consideration in Annapolis.

Bishop tackles religious education by teaching class

Try explaining vocations to a room full of third-graders. Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, eastern vicar, gamely took charge of the third-grade religious education class at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Homeland, Feb. 24 and did just that.

Leaders say interfaith effort to end global poverty growing

SAN FRANCISCO – Eliminating much of the world’s worst poverty within a decade would become a principle of U.S. foreign policy for the first time under a Catholic-led legislative push gathering force with a growing interfaith alliance.

New Mexico bill for embryonic stem-cell research dies