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When Kathleen Kirkpatrick arrived in Baltimore on a snowy day in January, she thought she was starting her life anew only to be faced with an unthinkable letdown.

Many Catholic Review readers have probably seen the TV commercial for a certain credit card whose slogan is, “What’s in your wallet?” As we approach the holy day of Christmas and we decorate the outside of our homes, perhaps we should ask “What’s in your yard?” Do your Christmas decorations tell your neighbors you are celebrating the birth of Christ – or “Winter Holiday?”

There was a time when disciples dedicated themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of the bread and prayer, with the result that the Church grew. Now is a time when bishops in the United States are gathered together wondering why the church in America has shrunk over the last 50 years. Could there possibly be a relationship between the past and present?

Thank you for George Matysek’s excellent article, “Veterans Day Mass moves many” (CR, Nov. 17), and mention of the homily by Bishop F. Richard Spenc er at St. Paul’s in Ellicott City. We in the Catholic War Veterans of Maryland (cwvmd.org) are grateful to the good bishop for administering to the chaplains throughout the world who care for our active duty brethren as we follow up with Catholic fellowship for those who have already served.

Parishioners of St. Benedict in Baltimore will take to the streets in song Dec. 18 as they go caroling through the neighborhood. They will be singing from 1 to 4 p.m. and will provide blessed Christmas cookies to all homes visited.

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Calling the dignity of the human person “a primary doctrine” of the Catholic Church, Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York told an audience at the University of Notre Dame Dec. 6 that it must prompt Catholics “to treat ourselves and others only with respect, love, honor and care.”

The National Catholic Youth Conference also known as NCYC was held in Indianapolis, Ind. The National Catholic Youth Conference is an exciting, three-day experience of prayer, community and empowerment for Catholic teenagers and adult chaperones. NCYC is open to high school age young people and the chaperones. Most participants are Catholic. Many youth participants are leaders in their local parishes, schools and/or diocese. I went with my church, St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church. I also learned that many people are just beginning to connect to their faith and relationship with God.

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI expressed concern for the millions of migrants around the world, and encouraged the agencies trying to help them.