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A narthex is the main gathering area or lobby of a church. It’s where conversation takes place, bringing together  people of all ages and backgrounds. That’s what this blog aspires to be — a spot where you can join a conversation about news and happenings related to the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Catholic world at large.   […]

I’ve been in the Catholic news business since I got out of college, and been writing and working for newspapers even longer than that if you count high school and college days, too. When I came to The Catholic Review in July 2009, I knew that I was joining a great group of journalism and […]

Archbishop Spalding senior Elizabeth Gorman attended her second BYCC this weekend. She never doubted that she would be back. “You really learn a lot during the workshops,” Gorman said. The parishioner of Odenton’s St. Joseph was one of two teens from her parish. The biggest draw for Gorman was the ability to meet other Catholic […]

Tangled's international poster (courtesy fanpop.com) For years, people have wondered when Walt Disney animators would get around to making the Brothers Grimm fairy tale “Rapunzel.” The maiden with the never-ending blonde locks will finally make her debut Nov. 24 in theaters, but if you’re scanning your fandango app trying to find “Rapunzel,” you’re out of […]

This week’s edition of The Catholic Review features a touching story on Matthew Slattery’s friends who have decorated trees for the Kennedy Krieger Institute benefit, The Festival of Trees. St. Joseph School students decorated a tree for Kennedy Krieger’s annual Festival of Trees. (Courtesy Kennedy Krieger) Matthew was in a horrific crash with his family. His mother […]

Father John Hurley and the staff of Division of Youth and Young Adult Ministry Father John Hurley, a Paulist, has been a busy man since starting the Department of Evangelization five months ago. Through it all, though, the executive director of the department has made it his mission to be out with the people, particularly […]

I posted Molly’s message earlier. Here is a Youtube clip I put together with the audio of her speech. The image comes courtesy of Sean Comber, a young adult from Pius X. Thanks, Sean! [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJVhM69kCok&fs=1&hl=en_US]

Father T. Austin Murphy Jr, director of vocations, delivered a homily about a surprising hero of his. It was a fitting end to this busy, but affirming weekend in Ocean City. [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZditnBcqJs&hl=en&fs=1]

Just got word that the teens and adults here gave of themselves financially, as well as spiritually this weekend. Catholic Relief Service’s Sudanese efforts will receive $1,300 as a result of donations today.

Molly Sinnott of Crofton’s St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish is the real deal. She just talked to the BYCC crowd about her mission experiences in Guatemala and the real life heroes living there. She then shared her thoughts on being a teen hero. The five-foot-two Sinnott got people stirring with the following: “We can’t do […]

Brad Farmer is delivering a Catholic pep talk to BYCC teens that would make a high school football coach jealous. He’s going full Uncle Ben Parker right now, talking about the responsibilty of being a Catholic teen hero. Who will become Spider-Man after this weekend? “You know your jobs, superheroes. Become who you were created […]