Page 1784 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

GARY, Ind. – While little is known of the quiet, gentle man who served as the protector and human father of Jesus, the image of Joseph as a carpenter invokes creative thoughts of how he might have served his God and neighbors. With this fatherly saint as inspiration, St. John the Evangelist Parish in St. John has launched a new endeavor – the St. Joseph the Carpenter ministry. Defined in their mission statement as a diverse group of people in service to the less fortunate, the group vows to help “restore the dignity of our brothers and sisters in Christ through love, compassion and home-repair assistance.”

Supporters pray for beatification of Father Solanus Casey

DETROIT – Donald Veryser, a member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in suburban Grosse Pointe Woods, was among the many supporters of Capuchin Father Solanus Casey’s cause for sainthood who came to St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit July 28-29 to pray for his beatification.

Priest experiences warmth of friend’s homeland

People have been asking Father Mark Bialek the meaning of the yellow, blue and red fabric bracelet on his wrist.

Curley names vice president of operations

Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore has named John Kogler its vice president of operations. He will have the primary responsibility of overseeing the daily operations in the school and on the 33-acre campus.

Audit finds problems with San Diego parishes’ accounting

WASHINGTON – While much of an audit of the finances of the San Diego Diocese showed recordkeeping was above-board, it found some cases of parishes moving tens of thousands of dollars around at the time of bankruptcy filing – in ways that apparently violated diocesan policies.

Faith-based efforts to aid homeless

WASHINGTON – The mission of Eva’s Village is to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and treat the addicted.

Pope prays for scouts

VATICAN CITY – Greeting an international group of Scouts on the 100th anniversary of Scouting, Pope Benedict XVI prayed that the movement would continue to promote “human, spiritual and civil formation in every country of the world.”

Orioles’ staffer ends 47-year-home-game streak

Witnessing the induction of former Baltimore Oriole Cal Ripken Jr. into the Baseball Hall of Fame July 29 was a heady experience for St. Ignatius, Hickory, parishioner Ernie Tyler. While attending the Cooperstown, N.Y., festivities caused the 83-year-old to end a baseball era of his own – Mr. Tyler missed his first home game as an umpire’s attendant for the Baltimore Orioles since 1960– he said he could think of no better reason to end his 3,769-game streak. “It’s actually a good feeling that my streak is over,” said the father of 11, whose number of in-season home games was posted at Oriole Park July 27, the game before he left for Cooperstown. “It takes the pressure off.”

Veteran priest: future clerics should examine their motives

As Father Thomas T. Polk walked down the center isle of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Homeland, immediately following his 1967 ordination, the show of support from the many priests throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore reinforced his sudden status as a priest.

Hoops player rebounds with faith

Just before his freshman year of high school, Kevin Steenberge and his family moved from New Jersey to the Clarksville area. As a way of connecting with folks, Steenberge was hired by Monsignor Joseph L. Luca, pastor of St. Louis in Clarksville, to serve as their Monday evening receptionist.

St. Francis students visit Costa Rica in exchange program

Cassidy Vogel enjoyed a firsthand glimpse of colorful poisonous frogs, exotic birds and other rainforest creatures during a two-week visit to Costa Rica this June.

Melanie Conley named interim principal of Father Kolbe school