Page 1780 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

A bust of the first Catholic Chief Justice of the United States may get booted from its prominent perch in front of Frederick’s City Hall if a group of civil rights activists gets its way. Pointing to Chief Justice Roger Taney’s role in writing the controversial Dred Scott v. Sanford decision that declared blacks to be non-citizens, members of the Frederick chapter of the NAACP are calling on city leaders to take down the bust.

Cardinal Bertone stresses role of laity in keynote speech to Knights

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Catholic laypeople must put their faith into action by saying “yes” to Christ, said Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, during an Aug. 8 keynote address to the Knights of Columbus. “This ‘yes’ is quite simply the ‘yes’ of faith,” he said, stressing that it is a “full, unmitigated acceptance of Jesus as Lord and our commitment to follow him as master and teacher.”

Stories about bishop’s fall are tough on staff

WASHINGTON – The chancellor for the Diocese of Gallup, N.M., said despite speculation that Bishop Donald E. Pelotte might have been assaulted he believes his boss and close friend was hurt falling down the stairs of his house, as the bishop said. Deacon Timoteo Lujan told Catholic News Service in a phone interview Aug. 9 that it has been very distressing to all the employees at the Gallup chancery to have a debate play out in the local and national news about whether Bishop Pelotte was attacked in his home.

Birthday celebration honors St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

The National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Emmitsburg will celebrate the 233rd birthday celebration of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton at 12:45 p.m. Aug. 26 at 333 S. Seton Ave. A Mass celebrated by Father Michael Kennedy, C.M., will be held at 1:30 p.m., followed by a day of family fun in the courtyard, which will include birthday cake, snow cones, balloons, a clown, music and face painting. The event is free, and the shrine sites will be open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 301-447-6606 or www.setonshrine.org.

Father Leo Joseph Fisher

Friars deliver message of love on Baltimore streets

George P. Matysek Jr.

Local News, News

Wearing hooded grey robes cinched at the waist with ropes, nearly a dozen Franciscan Friars of the Renewal marched through the streets of downtown Baltimore Aug. 9 carrying a large crucifix, an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and a papal flag.

Maryknoll announces student essay contest

Maryknoll announced the sponsorship of the 2007 Maryknoll Student Essay Contest for grades 6-12. Winners will receive nearly $3,000 in scholarship money, as well as coverage in “Maryknoll” magazine and on the Maryknoll Web site www.maryknoll.org/winners.

Loyola grad makes first promises with Paulists

Tom Gibbons, a 35-year-old former parish council member of St. Matthew, Northwood, made first promises with the Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle, the Paulists, during an Aug. 4 Mass at St. Paul’s College in Washington, D.C.

Parishioners help Filipino teachers furnish their new homes

As Filipino teachers arrive in Baltimore to educate city students, they usually bring little more with them than a few changes of clothes. This has inspired parishioners from St. Francis de Sales, Abingdon, and St. John the Evangelist, Hydes, to help the new residents furnish their new homes.

Novak explains his Catholic conversion in new book

WASHINGTON – Syndicated columnist Robert Novak has made a living writing articles containing information from his carefully cultivated sources, and when he first became interested in Catholicism, it was, coincidentally, a former source who aided him in his conversion. His story about a source turned priest who baptized him, as well as many other stories about his life and his work as a journalist, appear in his new book, “The Prince of Darkness: 50 Years Reporting in Washington.”

British woman steers worldwide Caritas aid network

VATICAN CITY – Lesley-Anne Knight has a warm smile and a big vision, but not one that includes doing anything single-handedly. Knight, 51, is the new secretary-general of Caritas Internationalis, the umbrella organization for 162 national Catholic charities around the world.

Vatican official says Dominican Sisters show vitality of U.S. church

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the second highest ranking official at the Vatican, pointed to the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville as an example of the vitality of the Catholic Church in the United States. Cardinal Bertone, who is secretary of state, was in Nashville to attend the 125th annual national convention of the Knights of Columbus. He took time out to celebrate Mass for the Dominican Sisters at their motherhouse Aug. 8, the feast of St. Dominic.

New York Catholics visit mosque, learn about Islam