Page 1581 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

We’ve all been thrilled in recent days with Michael Phelps’ pursuit of Olympic gold. We applaud his character and focus.

St. Peter Claver is 120 years strong

St. Peter Claver Parish can rightfully be called “The Mother Parish” of west Baltimore African-American Catholics. Founded in 1888 by the Mill Hill Josephite Fathers, this church, specifically for African-Americans, was the first of its kind in West Baltimore.

First day of school for archdiocese has array of emotions

Erin Munchel and Kendall Middlecamp have had their share of milestones over the years, but as they sat on the floor of a noisy school gymnasium Aug. 25, the eighth graders realized it was their final opening day of school at St. Joseph of Fullerton.

Parishes get creative with conservation efforts

They call him Recycle Sam, although his name is Ross. The pastor of St. Casimir, Canton, earned the nickname for encouraging his parishioners to recycle.

Cathedral announces concert series

The sounds of lutes, organs, brass, bagpipes, steel drums and all manner of choral ensembles will fill the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland again this year when the parish hosts its annual Cathedral Music Series.

Bishops say Rep. Pelosi misrepresented abortion teaching in TV interview

WASHINGTON – The chairmen of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life and doctrine committees criticized House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, saying she “misrepresented the history and nature of the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church on abortion” in a nationally televised interview Aug. 24.

Percentage changes small, but numbers up for poverty in United States

WASHINGTON – Figures released Aug. 26 by the U.S. Census Bureau revealed that, while the number of Americans in poverty last year rose over 2006 levels, the percentage increase was not statistically significant.

Indian bishops, Vatican call for calm as attacks on Christians flare

NEW DELHI – Catholic education institutions across India planned to close Aug. 29 to protest the continuing violence against Christians that has left at least 10 people dead in India’s eastern Orissa state.

People, Places, & Things

Kimberly Proctor, a 2004 graduate of the Institute of Notre Dame, Baltimore, was awarded a full graduate assistantship with the University of New Mexico, where she plans to earn a doctorate in political science. Ms. Proctor is a senior airman with the U.S. Air Force and recently applied for the rank of staff sergeant.

Democrats’ interfaith gathering disrupted by anti-abortion protests

DENVER – It was a rocky start to the Democratic National Convention’s first “Faith in Action” interfaith gathering at the Colorado Convention Center’s Wells Fargo Theater Aug. 24.

USCCB welcomes conscience protections for health care workers

WASHINGTON – The rights of doctors, nurses and other medical personnel who do not want to be involved in abortion and sterilization procedures for religious or moral reasons would get a boost under new rules proposed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Baghdad archbishop denounces kidnapping of Iraqi Christians