Page 1873 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

The intricate gray matter that makes up the human brain lays the foundation of critical thinking, but it’s the right and left hemispheres that provide most people with the determining factors in their individual strengths and weaknesses.

Alumni programs keep graduates connected

Some graduates go back just for the sandwiches. The buffalo chicken wrap is popular, as is The Kevin Special: hot roast beef, melted provolone, barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, onions, lettuce and French fries (yes, French fries) wrapped in a flour tortilla. Both are favorites of students and alumni in the dining hall at Loyola Blakefield, Towson.

Musicians, singers follow tune of faith

After each monthly Mass at St. John’s Catholic Prep, Frederick, students comment, “This is the best Mass we’ve ever had!” Angie Galleno, director of campus ministry, said the students’ enthusiasm stems from a new facet of school liturgies – the Praise & Worship Band – composed of 15 singers and musicians from within the student body. New for the 2006-07 school year, the band was conceived as a way to make school liturgies more engaging for students.

Laura Bush lauds ‘vital role’ of Catholic schools

HARVEY, La. – Catholic schools played a “vital role” in the Gulf Coast’s path to recovery after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, first lady Laura Bush said on a visit to St. Rosalie Catholic School in Harvey. After her midmorning visit to St. Rosalie, Bush had lunch at Cafe Reconcile in New Orleans, a program of the New Orleans archdiocesan Catholic Charities. Meeting students, teachers and parish and archdiocesan personnel at St. Rosalie Jan. 9, Mrs. Bush said the school “reminds us of the vital role Catholic schools have played in helping children whose lives were devastated by the hurricanes. Catholic schools worked as quickly a possible to re-enroll their students. In September 2005, students from archdiocesan schools were scattered throughout 49 states. By November 2006, 98 percent were back attending the school of their choice.”

Interfaith dialogue is religious exercise

ROME – Jewish-Christian dialogue is primarily a religious exercise, not simply a political or social exercise, said two rabbis and two cardinals at a Rome conference. “When we respond to the divine in the other, we are revering and respecting God himself,” said Rabbi David Rosen, president of the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations.

With local radio gone Christian radio moves in

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After out-of-town interests bought local commercial radio stations in rural America, evangelical Christian interests obtained broadcast licenses on that part of the FM dial reserved for noncommercial use, according to Dee Davis, president of the Center for Rural Strategies in Whitesburg, Ky. As a result, there are now 2,000 evangelical radio stations in the United States, up 85 percent from 1996, when federal laws were changed to permit greater media concentration, Mr. Davis said. “The only format that’s larger is country” music, he added.

Ecumenical prayer service set for Jan. 23

Havenwood Presbyterian Church in Lutherville will hold an ecumenical prayer service on Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. as part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Different experiences aid brain development

Patricia Falter knew at a very early age that her son Matthew was different than her older son. Matthew has autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes him to have a short attention span and obsession over objects, activities and places. From the time Matthew was very young he had to have a visual schedule of the day’s events in a step-by-step process to keep him focused. Every morning Matthew would need to check his schedule, which would include activities he enjoyed doing and those he did not, to show him that not everything in life is fun.

Unity week highlights what religions have in common

SAN FRANCISCO – The commonality that religious faiths share goes back thousands of years, and Jesus’ intent was for the different faiths to work together, said a San Francisco priest. The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, observed Jan. 18-25, offers an opportunity for religions to celebrate what they have in common and to promote dialogue among them.

Teens question Catholic leaders at forum

Catholic teens from across the Archdiocese of Baltimore had plenty of weighty questions for archdiocesan leaders during a Jan. 14 youth forum sponsored by the Archdiocese Youth Advisory Council. Meeting at Mount de Sales Academy in Catonsville, more than 60 young people queried two auxiliary bishops, archdiocesan lay leaders and a school principal on the differences between liberal and conservative Catholics, the role of women in the church, being prolife and understanding homosexuality. The teens developed the questions themselves and participated in an open forum and small-group discussions in a dialogue designed to bridge the generation gap.

Pelosi report scandalous

The decision to publish the Catholic News Service story on Nancy Pelosi (CR, Jan. 11) is a scandal. Here we have the case of a supposedly Catholic government official who proclaims her support for all the anti-life positions, and the article treats it as minor criticism of someone “we can always talk to.” This is a blatant case of giving to Caesar what is God’s.

Catholics told action honors MLK Jr. more than words