Page 1775 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

WASHINGTON – A dozen Catholic organizations have joined other religious groups in calling for U.S. leadership to increase access to safe water for the world’s people. “Water is a gift from God to be preserved and shared for the benefit of all people and the wider creation,” said the Religious Working Group on Water’s statement, “Water for All.”

Vatican confirms pope will meet with Israeli president

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to meet with Israeli President Shimon Peres at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, a Vatican official confirmed to Catholic News Service Aug. 24.

Bauer to coach Cavs, Sexton pitches to victory

Archbishop Spalding High School, Severn, announced the appointment of Andrew Bauer as their new head varsity boys’ basketball coach. Bauer, a longtime junior varsity head coach and varsity assistant to Pat Clatchey of Mount St. Joseph High School in Irvington, will bring a wealth of experience, a history of success, and a tradition of winning basketball, among his strengths as a coach. Bauer knows the strength of the competition in the MIAA, and will likely provide solid leadership for the Cavaliers’ basketball program.

Friar runners pay tribute to our troops and our country

In a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the Archbishop Curley cross country team, four seniors took part in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., on Aug. 16. On that drizzly day, the four Friar senior runners, Tim Skarda, Pat Hairfield, Jonathan Sobczynski and Kevin Sommers, were chosen by Coach Gene Hoffman to serve as their four representatives to present the wreath, with 15 of their teammates on hand to line the walkway as “Taps” was played by the Honor Guard. But the weather had no bearing on the effect of this experience. Gene Hoffman, who is in his 31st year as head coach said, “To hear the Honor Guard announce that the wreath that honors this tomb was supplied by Archbishop Curley High School gave me chills.”

Maintenance supervisor cares for his parish like his home

John E. Berg pointed into the distance ahead of him where the “old” cemetery could be seen on the slope of a hill on the 45-acres that encompass the parish of St. Joseph in Fullerton. “My great-grandparents are buried there,” said St. Joseph’s maintenance supervisor who, together with three full-time staff members, cares for the buildings and grounds of one of the largest parishes in the archdiocese with a membership of some 4,500 households. In the foreground lies the newer cemetery, and it is there that Mr. Berg’s grandparents and parents are buried. “And I’ll be buried there too,” he said. “My wife, Lois and I have plots here.”

More young women open to religious life

WASHINGTON – Girls often dream of saying “I do” at the altar to their future spouse. Katrina Gredona hopes she’ll be saying those words to Jesus as a religious sister. “When I look at a community of religious women, I see women who contribute fruitfully to the church and to the world in a very special way and in a very essential way, and I think that’s exciting,” said Gredona, a student at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. Ten years ago, Gredona’s interest in religious life would have been unique in comparison with the majority of other Catholic girls, as reports indicated a decline in the number of religious sisters in the United States. But recently campus ministers and the vocations directors of some women’s religious communities have been noticing a new trend of more young women looking into religious life.

Catholic school opens for students with autism

ST. LOUIS – A new Catholic school for children with autism is opening Sept. 5 in the St. Louis Archdiocese.

Wisconsin priest joins caravan to Cuba

MILWAUKEE – In his 87 years, many memories have formed in Jesuit Father Bill Brennan’s mind.

Change for St. John, Columbia, as it celebrates 40 years

Change is coming to St. John the Evangelist in Columbia as the parish, unique in its interfaith, ecumenical environment and challenge, celebrates its 40th anniversary and the 30 years Monsignor Richard H. Tillman has been its pastor.

Advisor offers step-by-step tips for picking a college

High school students don’t have to be overwhelmed when picking a college as long as they put college planning on their agenda each year leading up to graduation, according to Monica Moody Moore, vice president for enrollment management at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Baltimore. “You don’t want to use a singular source for information,” said Mrs. Moore. “Look for common patterns. Use all the resources that are out there.” Students should visit college Web sites and study commercial college guides, she said. It’s easy to request information from universities, she said, noting that colleges will often mail packets of information. High school counselors, advisors and teachers can also provide a broad perspective on the kinds of schools that may fit a particular student, she said.

Deleting online predators

“Teresa thought she was acting safely on the Internet. Within 20 minutes, we found out her full name, age, her parents’ names, her street address, phone number, the time of day she and her parents were home, and high schools near where she lived.” – from Tracking Teresa, NetSmartz video for teens If you think you’re up-to-date on the issue of Internet safety, think again, said Chris Weber, director of the archdiocese’s Catholic Education Ministries of Central Maryland housed at Mount St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg.

Trafficking victim reunited with son