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Philippine bishops call for post-election political killings to stop

MANILA, Philippines – As votes for the May 14 midterm election are tabulated, Philippine bishops have called for the political killings to stop. Archbishop Paciano Aniceto of San Fernando said May 30 the election, “perceived as generally peaceful, orderly and credible,” was “shattered by the recent spate of violence and political killings.” UCA News, an Asian church news agency, obtained the appeal called, “Am I My Brother’s Keeper.”

St. Ursula student excels in fitness

All the bar graphs on 10-year-old Anna Borkowski’s “Fitness Gram” are filled in solidly. And on the Pacer Test – the cardiovascular endurance portion of her school’s fitness test – the St. Ursula, Parkville, student broke the fifth-grade girls’ record. “She’s amazing,” said running coach and physical education teacher Kim Altenburger, noting that the record has been in place during her 17 years at St. Ursula. “Anna is very driven and motivated,” she said, explaining that the student is on the school’s cross country and track teams, plays soccer, and is a black belt member of a Taekwondo team. “She tries to excel. She has an inborn competitive spirit.”

Family gatherings important

Good for the Lipinski family (CR, May 31). I’m really glad that 23 of their clan make a point of getting together once each year for a week to enjoy family fun. My wife and I agree with them. There is nothing more important than family gatherings.

EWTN’s CEO emulates Mother Angelica

IRONDALE, Ala. – While working as a successful lawyer and senior partner in his firm, Deacon Bill Steltemeier saw a flier on “sounding the call to holiness” at a church in the Chicago suburbs near a legal convention he was attending in 1978. Deacon Steltemeier, now CEO of Eternal Word Television Network, was tired and there was a blizzard outside, but he felt compelled to try to go to the program. After running out of gas and almost turning around, he finally found the church by accident and was surprised by the message he heard.

Meeting parents of kidnapped British girl, pope offers prayers

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI, meeting the parents of a 4-year-old British girl apparently kidnapped while the family was on vacation in Portugal, blessed a photograph of the little girl and offered his prayers. Kate and Gerry McCann, the Catholic parents of Madeleine, who has been missing since May 3, met the pope at the end of his weekly general audience May 30 in St. Peter’s Square. When they handed him the photograph, the pope caressed it.

Husband, wife bond while helping Meals on Wheels

Richard Gross thinks golf is a good activity for a couple to do together. His wife, Lois, added “and Meals on Wheels.” Although she has no interest in golf, the 78-year-old has a 33-year vested loyalty to the program which delivers hot and cold meals to senior citizens who have difficulty cooking, getting to the grocery store, and who have no one to do it for them. “The good Lord means for this program to go,” said the bright-eyed Mrs. Gross, who serves on the board of directors and the Council of Sites of Meals on Wheels. The program must be very organized, she said. As the responsible party for beginning the Glen Burnie kitchen in 1976, the parishioner of Holy Trinity in Glen Burnie considers herself a professional volunteer. “We’ve become old people serving old people,” said Mrs. Gross, who, with her husband, has six children, 27 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

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