Page 1817 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI made an urgent appeal for an end to the “tragic violence” escalating in the Gaza Strip. After praying the noonday “Regina Coeli” with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square May 20, the pope called on both Palestinian and Israeli leaders to renew efforts for dialogue and to curb the violence. He said the mid-May rocket attacks by Palestinian militants against nearby Israeli towns and subsequent air raids launched by Israel against Palestinians were “provoking a bloody deterioration of the situation and causing dismay.”

Flowers, fruits and vegetables flourish at Gallagher Services

Catonsville resident Jeanne Marie Hannon doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty if it means slowly watching the plants at Catholic Charities’ Gallagher Services in Timonium transform into colorful flowers or luscious vegetables. Cultivating plant life for the summer is an annual tradition for the St. Agnes, Catonsville, parishioner and client of the residential and day program for people with developmental disabilities, and she was proud to contribute to Gallagher Services’ two-day annual flower sale during the second weekend in May.

Avid readers page through summer library programs

Whether relaxing by the pool or stuck inside on a rainy day, reading is always a great summer activity. The Enoch Pratt Free Library is offering several programs dedicated to books this summer. Avid readers can sign up for the Summer Reading Club at all Pratt library locations June 9. The theme for the program, which ends in August, is a “reading road trip” to show young people they can use their imaginations to go places without leaving Baltimore, said Roswell Encina, director of communications for the Enoch Pratt Free Library. explained Mr. Encina. Avid readers can also join in the running to read the most books in Baltimore during the summer. “This encourages more kids to read during the summertime,” said Mr. Encina, adding that hundreds of youths participate each year.

Rev. Falwell’s Moral Majority changed politics and religion

WASHINGTON – For many activists in the 1980s-era Moral Majority, there’s no doubt that the religiously based, politically conservative organization changed politics and religion for the better. The election of President Ronald Reagan and a cadre of socially conservative members of Congress in the 1980s changed the direction of politics – particularly by rebuilding the Republican Party – and gave evangelical Christians a voice in elections and in public policy that continues to be strong. It also brought together evangelicals and Catholics in an alliance that raised the pro-life voting public to a position of prominence and power that it had not enjoyed as a primarily Catholic movement.

Argentine church workers await guidance on indigenous

El BANANAL, Argentina – Church workers ministering to Argentine indigenous communities have been watching the Latin American and Caribbean bishops’ meeting in Brazil with bated breath, wondering whether Latin American bishops will change their methods in evangelizing the Gospel to native peoples. “We are waiting and watching with anxiety, given that before Benedict was pope he fought against indigenous theology and liberation theology,” said German Bournissen, coordinator of the Argentine bishops’ National Team for Aboriginal Ministries, know by its Spanish acronym ENDEPA. “There are lots of rumors that the pope wants to close the space that’s been opened up in the dialogue about indigenous ministry and theology,” Bournissen told Catholic News Service. “But some of our bishops are very clear about this, and there will be a struggle.

Outdoor griller dons chef’s hat all year

The aroma of sizzling steak on a grill may permeate through Maryland neighborhoods mostly in warmer months, but it’s a scent Parkville residents – who live near Bob Delisle’s home – smell all year. The avid outdoor chef and St. Matthew, Northwood, parishioner doesn’t need to dust off his two grills in the late spring because he cooks on them even when snow blankets his back lawn. Dinner served on the family’s dining room table gets its start from the backyard grill at least three evenings each week, and it’s not only the meat prepared outside. “I can easily make the whole meal on the grill,” said the 50-year-old married father of three. “Typically, I put a bunch of vegetables in a tin foil packet with some butter, salt, pepper and other seasonings, and it all steams up nicely while the meat cooks.”

Mission Health Partners names executive director

Representatives of St. Agnes HealthCare in Baltimore and St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson announced May 16 that Patrick F. Mutch has been chosen as executive director of Mission Health Partners, the multi-institutional health-care collaborative formed by two Baltimore hospitals early this year. Mr. Mutch, a parishioner of St. Ann in Baltimore, will be responsible for implementation of strategy and day-to-day management of the alliance. He has more than 30 years of health care management experience including serving as the chief executive officer of hospitals in Baltimore, Boston and Prince Georges County. Mr. Mutch was CEO of the Children’s Hospital in Baltimore in the 1980s and he has been a consultant for Catholic Charities in the Baltimore archdiocese and a faculty member at the Johns Hopkins Graduate School of Business in Baltimore. Recognized for working in complex healthcare systems and developing partnerships among hospitals, physicians, government, insurers and the community, Mr. Mutch has a master’s degree in public health and health care administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

Tree dedicated to fallen hero

A memorial tree honoring “the life and supreme sacrifice” of Calvert Hall College High School, Towson, 1994 graduate E. Austin Koth was dedicated on campus May 10.

Successes, challenges mark fifth anniversary of sex abuse charter

WASHINGTON – Five years after the U.S. bishops passed their landmark policies to prevent child sex abuse, they can look back at successes in institutionalizing safeguards and look ahead to challenges in restoring church credibility. But the basic question is: Are children safer now? “Absolutely yes,” answers Patricia O’Donnell Ewers, chairwoman of the National Review Board overseeing the bishops’ compliance with child protection policies.

Head of National Office for Black Catholics dies

SEATTLE – A funeral Mass was celebrated May 12 in a chapel at Seattle University for Walter Hubbard Jr., a national African-American Catholic leader who had headed the Seattle-based National Office for Black Catholics since 1970. Mr. Hubbard, 82, died May 5 in Seattle. No cause of death was given. He had served for two decades on Jesuit-run Seattle University’s board of regents. Born in New Orleans Oct. 19, 1924, he worked as a skilled cloth-cutter in the garment industry. He later became active in the trade union moment, serving as president of local unions in Seattle that represented garment workers and liquor store clerks, before becoming an insurance company executive.

Arrest made in arson fire at historic Indiana church

NEW CASTLE, Ind. – Five weeks after fire destroyed historic St. Anne Church in New Castle during the early morning hours of Holy Saturday, Henry County authorities arrested William L. Abbott, 33, of New Castle on felony charges of arson, burglary and theft. County prosecutor Kit Crane said Abbott was arrested May 10 and charged with three felony counts of arson for endangering the lives of others, setting fire to a house of worship and causing a loss greater than $5,000. New Castle firefighter Jack Thurman injured his back while battling the April 7 blaze that gutted the 83-year-old brick church and county landmark. Abbott, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is being held at the Henry County Jail.

Diplomats learn Vatican’s unique, complex global role