Page 1809 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

In an age when medical technology makes it possible to extend human life far beyond what was previously possible, the nine active Catholic bishops serving Maryland have completed a new pastoral letter aimed at helping Catholics apply their faith to end-of-life decisions.

Cardinal Keeler, Catholic leaders say letter will help decision-making

Nearly 15 years ago, the Catholic bishops serving Maryland became the first in the country to issue a state-wide pastoral letter on the topic of care for the sick and terminally ill.

Parishioners serve “last supper” at old Our Daily Bread building

Immaculate Conception, Towson, parishioners have been serving the poor and homeless at Our Daily Bread on the first Sunday of each month since Baltimore’s largest soup kitchen opened more than a quarter century ago. Fittingly, church volunteers were also present June 3 as they served 678 meatloaf dinners during the last supper at the Cathedral Street facility. The parish has served Our Daily Bread longer than any other group in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and Catholic Charities officials were thrilled when the final day at the former location occurred on Immaculate Conception’s Sunday.

Inaugural meal at new Our Daily Bread served with little fuss

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The location was new, but the crowd was familiar as Catholic Charities served its first meal to the poor and homeless at its new Our Daily Bread Employment Center June 4. Before the dining room opened at 10:30 a.m., 18 people who normally eat at Baltimore’s largest soup kitchen registered for employment training.

Top Vatican official: Documents show Pius XII worked to help Jews

ROME – Thousands of Vatican documents demonstrate that Pope Pius XII worked quietly but effectively to help Jews and others during World War II, a top Vatican official said. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican secretary of state, said June 5 that the documentation of papal charity is the most convincing response to the “black legend” that has depicted the late pope as indifferent toward the victims of Nazism.

Pope to proclaim year dedicated to St. Paul

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI plans to proclaim a year dedicated to St. Paul, in preparation for the 2,000th anniversary of the apostle’s birth, the Vatican said. The pope was scheduled to announce the commemorative year at a vespers service June 28 in the Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls in Rome, on the eve of the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.

Nobel peace laureate: Church can do more for environment

VATICAN CITY – The Catholic Church can do more to protect the environment and put pressure on industrialized countries to slash greenhouse gas emissions, said Africa’s first female Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Diversity Day unites St. Gabriel parishioners

St. Gabriel, Woodlawn, was alive with the music and languages of different cultures June 3, as some 700 people celebrated their diverse gifts as a Catholic community. St. Gabriel parishioners are ethnically diverse, representing cultures including Filipino, African, Indian and many more. About six years ago the parish council developed the idea of uniting parishioners one Sunday a year to celebrate their cultural differences and similarities in Christ, explained Monsignor Thomas Phillips, pastor. He said Diversity Day is an opportunity for parishioners to experience a different culture’s dress, food, music and dance.

School’s 50th birthday sets off three-day celebration

More than 30 years ago when Sacred Heart, Glyndon, was a tiny country school, an annual old-fashioned country fair was a common occurrence. The cheerful event returned to school grounds June 2 – equipped with peppermint sticks and lemons – to culminate what principal Anne H. Price said has been a terrific year and to celebrate the school’s 50th birthday. “We wanted to bring back that tradition … recreate that ambience,” said Mrs. Price, Sacred Heart’s principal for a decade. “It was a huge success; an unbelievable experience for our school and the entire local community. I’ve never seen our students having so much fun!”

St. Mary’s Seminary graduates 45 seminarians, lay students

St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore, celebrated the May 10 graduation of 20 men from the seminary and 35 students from its Ecumenical Institute of Theology. Among the seminary’s 20 degree recipients was Rev. Mr. Daniel Goulet, who studied for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He will be ordained to the priesthood on June 23.

Detroit Archdiocese: Paroled Kevorkian not a celebrity but a killer

DETROIT – An official of the Detroit Archdiocese denounced the media “hype” surrounding the parole of Jack Kevorkian, saying the assisted suicide proponent was being “treated as a celebrity parolee instead of the convicted murder he is.” Kevorkian, a former pathologist whose medical license was suspended in 1991, left the Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater June 1, accompanied his attorney, Mayer Morganroth, and “60 Minutes” correspondent Mike Wallace.

New book details Hitler plot to kidnap pope, foiled by Nazi general