Page 1858 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

The Knights of Columbus of St. Lawrence Martyr, Jessup, will hold a Valentine Dance in the parish center on Feb. 17 from 8 p.m. until midnight.

The next session of Why Catholic?, the adult faith formation program based on the church’s catechism and scriptures, will correspond with the season of Lent and for most parishes the small groups will meet starting Feb. 18.

Bee legend provides buzz at St. Ambrose

When Joseph DeSilva of Park Heights has a sore throat, he mixes his tea with a little honey purchased at St. Ambrose and blessed by his pastor. What makes the home remedy sweeter for the South American native is the knowledge that his home parish is named after the patron saint of beekeepers and honey makers and the profits from the honey gives support to the church. “I’ve often prayed to St. Ambrose for guidance,” Mr. DeSilva said with a thick Guyana accent. “The fact that the honey I bought was blessed at St. Ambrose by Father Paul (Zaborowski, O.F.M., Cap.) gives it special meaning to me…, and I think it makes the food taste better.”

Stella Maris employees win awards

This year Stella Maris’ highest form of praise, the Mercy Spirit Award, went to Stephanie Gramling and Phyllistine Davis. The award is given to two employees who live the values of the Sisters of Mercy. Nominees must demonstrate four of the seven core values of the Mercy Health Services, including respect, hospitality, mercy/justice, excellence, empowerment, stewardship and prayer.

Priest works to protect migrants headed north

MEXICO CITY – Whenever the freight train rolls into town, Father Alejandro Solalinde and his team of pastors know it’s going to be a long night. The freight trains, loaded with hundreds of Central American migrants heading north to the United States, stop in Father Solalinde’s town of Ixtepec, an important rail junction in southern Mexico. The migrants who wait for the next train to carry them on to Veracruz are prime targets for criminal gangs, who kidnap them until relatives can wire thousands of dollars in ransom money.

Bears chaplain looks forward to Super Bowl Mass

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Amid the media hype at Super Bowl XLI Feb. 4 in Miami, at least eight players and coaches from the Chicago Bears were expected to spend about 30 minutes on bended knee the morning of game day as Scalabrinian Father Nick Marro, Bears chaplain, celebrated Mass at the players’ hotel. While his homilies obviously reflect the Gospel of the day, he said, he also considers who is in the congregation.

Cardinal Keeler honored for faith outreach efforts

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Catholic Association of Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers honored Cardinal William H. Keeler of Baltimore Jan. 30 for his extensive contributions to ecumenical and interreligious relations.

Gov. O’Malley hosts Catholic educators at mansion

ANNAPOLIS – Standing inside the governor’s mansion he has occupied for less than three weeks, Gov. Martin J. O’Malley told a group of Catholic educators he never would have pursued a career in public service were it not for his own Catholic education.

Vatican denies laicization to Paraguayan bishop

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican turned down a laicization request from a Paraguayan bishop who wants to run for president and suspended the bishop from exercising his priestly ministry. Bishop Fernando Lugo Mendez of San Pedro, Paraguay, 57, had announced Dec. 25 that he would ask the Vatican to return him to the status of a layman so he could run for president.

President Bush cites efforts of Catholic teen

WASHINGTON – At the National Prayer Breakfast Feb. 1, President George W. Bush cited a Pennsylvania Catholic teenager who started an outreach to poor and homeless people in memory of her favorite priest, the late Franciscan Father Mychal Judge.

Priest accused of attempted murder is captured

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Las Vegas priest accused of attempted murder and sexual assault on a parish employee was captured near Phoenix Feb. 1 after a six-day manhunt across several states. Father George Chaanine, 52, has been charged with attempted murder with a deadly weapon, sexual assault, kidnapping and other charges in connection with an alleged attack Jan. 26 on Michaelina Bellamy, an employee at Our Lady of Las Vegas Parish where Father Chaanine was administrator. He also faces federal charges of fleeing to avoid prosecution.

Illegal immigration should not be tolerated