Page 1885 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

ARLINGTON, Va. (CNS) — The “evil of pornography” has spread like a plague throughout the culture thanks to mainstream entertainment and threatens the fabric of society far beyond the boundaries of church and school, said Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde in a new pastoral letter.

Illinois Catholic says faith has helped him cope with AIDS, prejudice

WHEATON, Ill. (CNS) — A typed copy of a Scripture passage is taped to the front door of Tom Hogueisson’s apartment in a housing complex supported by Wheaton Franciscan Services and designated for people with AIDS.

Is shopping the ruination of Christmas?

Our lengthy “holiday season” driven by the consumer-confidence index and lasting for months is a bad idea, writes Stephen Kent. It all adds up to a festival of consumerism, he believes; it wrings the true meaning out of Christmas. But Liz Quirin says that in her family Christmas shopping is a happy time of being together and having fun. Moreover, she finds that the current emphasis on parish gift-giving programs for the needy adds a positive note to family shopping at Christmas. The shopping doesn’t have to turn into a living, spending nightmare, Quirin says. She is editor of The Messenger, newspaper of the Diocese of Belleville, Ill. Kent, who writes from Seattle, Wash., has been editor of the archdiocesan newspapers of Seattle and Omaha, Neb.

Tradition of Mary’s house in Turkey stems from nun’s vision

EPHESUS, Turkey (CNS) — Catholics, Orthodox and Muslims began making pilgrimages to the House of the Virgin Mary near Ephesus only after a bedridden, almost illiterate German nun had a vision of the house’s location.

Islamic studies find niche on Catholic college campuses

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Universities have long offered courses in comparative religions, but the demand for classes specifically on Islam has increased in recent years.

Pope seeks prayers for trip; Turkish security to be unprecedented

ANKARA, Turkey (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI asked for prayers for his pilgrimage to Turkey, as the Turkish government announced unprecedented security measures to protect the pontiff and the Vatican confirmed the pope would visit a mosque during his trip.

Loyola Bowls Over Calvert Hall

The 87th Calvert Hall-Loyola Turkey Bowl, held at M&T Stadium on Nov. 23, unfolded the way many presumed, with an overpowering performance by the Loyola Dons.

A basic guide to elements of Islam

WASHINGTON (CNS) — With an estimated 1.2 billion followers, Islam is the second largest religion in the world. Islamic organizations say there are an estimated 6 million to 7 million Muslims in the United States; of those, 85 percent are U.S.-born.

Changes in food system needed, rural Catholic conference told

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (CNS) — Mike Callicrate is a straight-talking plainsman with a blunt, hard message: Your food is killing you, and your food system is killing your community and nation.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was born into a wealthy, Episcopalian family on Aug. 28, 1774, in New York City. At age 19, she married William Magee Seton and had five children. After her husband died, Elizabeth was a poor widow. She converted to Catholicism in 1805. She started a school for girls in Baltimore at the request of the archbishop; this is often referred to as the beginning of parochial schools in the U.S. She founded the Sisters of Charity in 1809. She died Jan. 4, 1821, in Emmitsburg, Md. She is patron saint of the Apostleship of the Sea, widows and also the death of children and parents.

St. Agatho

St. Agatho, born in Sicily, spent his early life as a married businessman. However, he found his calling and became a monk in Palermo, Sicily. Agatho became pope June 27, 678. He resolved the first dispute in which English bishops appealed to Rome. He also reunited Constantinople and Rome. St. Agatho died in Rome in 681.

St. Theodosius the Cenobiarch