Page 1727 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

VATICAN CITY – Perhaps even more than Michelangelo’s frescoes or the statue of Laocoon, the discouragingly long entrance line – often stretching half a mile – has become the modern emblem of the Vatican Museums.

Catholic Iraqi refugees arrive, welcomed by Maronite parish

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Following years of persecution and not being able to attend Mass because of the threat of terrorism, Huzni Hermez and his family left their war-torn homeland of Iraq and found a place where they could freely practice their Catholic faith.

Writers Suzanne Molino Singleton (left) and Nancy Menefee Jackson explore the advantages and disadvantages of high school sports’ schedules.(CR Staff/Owen Sweeney III)|

Two writers duke it out on the subject of school sports

Commentary

Catholic Review writer and parent Nancy Menefee Jackson, who volunteers as an assistant JV coach, thinks school sports practices are essential and recognizes the need for practices and games during holiday breaks. Catholic Review writer and parent Suzanne Molino Singleton thinks the opposite – free time is family time when kids deserve a break from school and the rigorous schedule it offers.

It’s curtains for IND senior stage managers

One objective seniors Mara Wild and Melanie Rae want to carry through before they graduate from the Institute of Notre Dame, Baltimore, is to upgrade the 11-year-old black onstage traveling curtains in the school auditorium. They have sewn holes in the curtains so many times, they were told to stop because repairs were obvious.

Caroline Center given Network 2000 awards grant

Network 2000, a Maryland organization promoting the advancement of women in business, awarded grants to two local programs last month during its annual Women of Excellence luncheon.

Recovery continues for survivor of Wisconsin shooting

PICKEREL, Wis. – Charlie Neitzel’s passion for working on automobiles helped land him a job this year at Northern Fiber Works in Crandon, where he built fiberglass race truck parts. “I like building stuff with my hands,” said Neitzel, 21.

Catholic students help survivors of cyclone in Bangladesh

DHAKA, Bangladesh – After a day of trudging through the debris of wrecked homes handing out relief coupons to survivors of the recent cyclone, the president of the Bangladesh Catholic Students’ Movement was tired.

Our Lady of Guadalupe called ‘Mother Without Borders’

LOS ANGELES – Thousands of Catholics from throughout the greater Los Angeles area gathered in East Los Angeles Dec. 2 to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe as the mother of all peoples – from every language, race and culture.

Mexican family gave up dream because of state law

TULSA, Okla. – Sergio Garcia is a man who has taken a tremendous risk – and lost. Garcia and his wife, Lola, are illegal immigrants from Mexico. Because of a new Oklahoma state law, they made the difficult decision to give up the dream they have worked toward for the past eight years and planned to return to their hometown Dec. 7.

Give the gifts of time, talent and treasure

Sean Ballard of Baldwin wants to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas this year and avoid the commercialism that has dampened her spirits during past holiday seasons.

St. Mary’s mission draws a crowd, even in the snow

We sing “Amazing Grace,” but do we stop to reflect on just how amazing grace really is – and how it’s present in our lives?

Pope hopes talks with Baptists bear fruit for dialogue