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The Endeavor Shuttle and International Space Station astronauts had a chat May 21 with Pope Benedict XVI. They talked about science, courage, violence and world peace, and the beauty of the planet. What a great opportunity for both the scientists and the pope to share their views. Here, from NASAtv, is the 17-minute link-up. [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81jAmb_e1pg&w=640&h=390]

Our Lady of Cz?stochowa Tomorrow morning, Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski will lead a pilgrimage to the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.  I’ll be reporting on the spiritual journey for The Catholic Review — both on this blog and in the print edition of the newspaper. Over the next two weeks, be sure to check The […]

A newly installed, hulking statue of Blessed Pope John Paul II is getting big-time thumbs down in Italy.  What do you think?  Is it really that ugly?  I haven’t seen it in person, but the AP photos seem to confirm the criticisms. A giant bronze sculpture portraying Pope John Paul II is displayed outside Rome's […]

This weekend, I’ll be covering my first Preakness race. The stories about it are legendary and it’s a little intimidating to say the least. I mean, when else am I going to meet a centaur named Kegasus? That’s a huge deal. A bigger deal is that Baltimore’s own Larry Collmus will call his first Preakness […]

At 33, Father John Rapisarda is happier than he’s ever been. Three years ago, the associate pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Essex, Md. was ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and knows he found his true calling. I have a story in The Catholic Review about his visit to the […]

A funeral Mass for Baltimore native Father Joseph E. Henry, a Jesuit, was offered May 9 at Madonna della Strada Chapel at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania.

For the first six months, this blog was originally known as Matt Palmer’s Blog. It won Best Blog from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association, but judges said it needed a catchier name. Finally, it’s here. A few weeks ago, I asked you to name my blog and promised the winner a pair of Orioles […]

At a dinner honoring religious women and men celebrating jubilee anniversaries, Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien greets Oblate Sister of Providence Mary Alice Chineworth – a 93-year-old nun celebrating 75 years in religious life. (CR Photo/George P. Matysek Jr.) May 14 was a special day for religious women and men in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Archbishop Edwin […]

Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien ordained 14 new permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Baltimore May 14 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.  You can read all about it in next week’s issue of The Catholic Review.  In the meantime, check out this video!UPDATE: The story is posted