Page 1804 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

ASSISI, Italy – On a pilgrimage to the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Benedict XVI appealed for peace in the Middle East and a return to “responsible and sincere dialogue” to end armed conflicts. The pope’s one-day trip June 17 marked the 800th anniversary of the conversion of St. Francis, a figure the pope described as a one-time “king of partying” who learned to make space for God. The pope made a point of praising the 1986 interreligious gathering in Assisi, an initiative of Pope John Paul II, as “a prophetic intuition and a moment of grace.” Such dialogue is an essential part of Christianity, but must be carried out without weakening the Christian duty to spread the Gospel, he said.

All are equal in uniform

In Thomas McCarthy’s commentary letter about “Remembering World War II,” (CR, June 7), I don’t know what the uniform of a racial minority looks like.

Sykesville Marianist marks golden jubilee

“Retirement” isn’t in Father Paul A. Reich’s vocabulary. A Marianist priest for 50 years, the 78-year-old associate pastor of St. Joseph in Sykesville said he loves his ministry as much as ever and he has no plans of slowing down. “There’s always something to do once you’re ordained,” he said with a smile. “I’ve never lost the desire to be a priest. It’s what I’ve always wanted to be.”

Father Peterson celebrates 60 years as a priest

After celebrating his 60th anniversary as a priest on June 10, Father Casimir Peterson, 86, said his service as an altar boy and the guidance of the sisters who taught him at Our Lady of Pompei, Baltimore, were inspirational in his discernment to the priesthood.

Virginia Tech shooting victim left behind message of forgiveness

ARLINGTON, Va. – Mary Karen Read, a 19-year-old victim of the shootings at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, aspired to be a teacher. Now she is posthumously teaching a lesson of forgiveness in the aftermath of the deadliest shooting rampage in U.S. history.

Project Storybook helps imprisoned mothers stay close to their kids

CLINTON, N.J. – Once a month, Pat Brisson enters the gates of the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in Clinton to spend an evening with as many as 60 inmates. To Brisson, however, they are not just convicted criminals; they are also loving mothers.

Texas investing coalition marks 25 years of mixing faith, finance

SAN ANTONIO – Although the early founders of the socially responsible investment movement might be described as “fools with faith,” they can look with pride to years of providing a platform for religious communities to use their moral voice and financial vote to influence corporations, according to one of those pioneers.

Cumberland mayor honored by archdiocese

CUMBERLAND – In a small Western Maryland town whose residents pride homegrown leadership, Mayor Lee Fiedler knows he is probably one of the unlikeliest persons to hold Cumberland’s top job at City Hall.

Depression places social stigma on patients, costs $83 billion annually

As Margery Ivester joined some fellow parishioners of St. Paul, Ellicott City, in a recent gardening project at the church, she noticed that she felt more vibrant and content than she had since being diagnosed with depression some 13 years ago.

Scala Santa chapel: Under the soot and grime, a visual treasure

VATICAN CITY – When a Vatican-led team of art restorers started scrubbing and scrutinizing what was underneath centuries of soot and grime caked on the ceiling and walls of a major shrine in Rome, they made a spectacular discovery. A whole pictorial series of brilliantly colored, 16th-century frescoes by influential Flemish landscape artist Paul Bril and others had been hidden under the dust and dirt. And now, after seven years of study, planning and restoration, pilgrims flocking to the Sanctuary of the Scala Santa (Holy Stairs) will be treated to the visual treasure when they enter its chapel of St. Sylvester.

New edition of Holocaust survivor’s book on Pope John Paul II issued

WASHINGTON – After Polish-born poet, author and Holocaust survivor Lena Allen-Shore had her first private meeting with Pope John Paul II in 1996, her younger son, Jacques, told her, “You have to write an article. The title of the article should be ‘Building Bridges.’“

Boise bishop urges Catholics to recognize Christ in every immigrant