Page 1801 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

WASHINGTON – Regardless of their age, gender, race, party affiliation or socioeconomic status, Americans support a 75-cent-per-pack increase in the federal tobacco tax to fund health care coverage for the nation’s uninsured children, according to a new poll.

Former Olympian takes on new challenge as priest

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. – More than a decade ago Joseph Fitzgerald was balancing his work as a youth minister at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Lindenhurst with membership on the men’s national handball team that represented the U.S. at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

Polish officials investigate report that ex-nuns threaten suicide

WARSAW, Poland – Polish justice officials have ordered an investigation after a national newspaper claimed a group of defrocked Catholic nuns threatened to commit mass suicide.

Maryland pastoral letter on sick and dying sparks interest

Two weeks after Maryland’s Catholic bishops unveiled their June 6 pastoral letter on caring for the sick and dying, more than 3,000 people in 28 states requested copies of the 35-page document.

Deacon Walter Shipley dies at 91

A funeral Mass for Deacon Walter Shipley was offered June 25 at St. Clement Mary Hofbauer, Rosedale, where he served for 20 years. Deacon Shipley died June 20. He was 91.

Eucharistic congress turns convention center into ‘cathedral’

ATLANTA – The Georgia International Convention Center became “the cathedral of Atlanta” June 9 as Atlanta Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory processed into the cavernous building bearing the Blessed Sacrament in a golden monstrance with sunburst rays. A record of about 30,000 people – 10,000 more than last year – came to the convention center near Atlanta’s airport June 8 and 9 for the archdiocese’s 12th annual eucharistic congress. The theme of the 2007 congress, “The Food That Endures for Eternal Life,” drew from the passage in St. John’s Gospel in which Jesus, shortly after feeding a large crowd with a few fish and loaves of bread, says: “You are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.”

In Assisi, Pope Benedict follows in John Paul’s footsteps

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI’s recent visit to Assisi was an emblematic event, demonstrating once again that this pontificate is more about continuity than revolution. For some at the Vatican, Assisi long ago came to represent the excesses of dialogue and the dangers of political activism.

Archdiocese will not close any elementary schools this year

CHICAGO – All 217 Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago will remain open for the 2007-08 school year.

Catholics outside London cathedral protest concert

LONDON – About 50 Catholics sang hymns and chanted prayers outside Westminster Cathedral to protest the premiere of a concert they believed glorified Allah. The protesters were angry that the London cathedral – considered to be the mother church of the 4.3 million Catholics of England and Wales – was being used to honor the Islamic notion of God. The group was objecting to the performance of “The Beautiful Names,” a concert featuring the singing of the 99 names of Allah to solemn music composed by Sir John Tavener and commissioned by his friend, Prince Charles. With Prince Charles among the guests, security outside the cathedral was unusually tight June 19, with a large police presence and airport-style scanning machines.

Norms issued for Catholic fundraising in U.S.

WASHINGTON – With Vatican approval, the head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued national norms governing all church-related fundraising appeals. “Fundraising appeals are to be truthful and forthright,” says the opening line of the norms.

Camp allows those with special needs to shine

Since 1979, adults with special needs have been coming to Camp Glow to reunite with old friends, make new ones and grow in the light of the Lord. The camp at the Monsignor O’Dwyer Retreat House in Sparks was originally started by Sister Justa Walton, I.H.M., and in 2001, William Fleming, coordinator of Catechesis for Persons with Developmental Disabilities for the archdiocese, took over the camp. “This is a chance for them to get together with folks, bond and share their gifts with others,” said Mr. Fleming. “One lady had her bags packed for weeks.”

What do teachers do all summer?