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The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog for CatholicReview.org did in the last two months of 2010, when it was formed. Thanks for your readership. Here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health: The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Fresher than ever. Crunchy numbers A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 […]

Helen Nale, right, enjoys conversation with her daughter, Helen Valley. Nale believes she caught a glimpse of heaven after a near-death experience. (CR Staff/Owen Sweeney III) Everyone has seen stories on television about people who believe they died and went to heaven.  They often speak of “seeing light at the end of a tunnel,” being reunited with deceased […]

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The Jan. 6 issue of The Catholic Review will feature a vocations story about an enrollment boom at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitburg. The nation’s second-oldest Catholic seminary is putting up some impressive numbers and producing priests known for their passion and commitment to the church. Look for the story next month. In the meantime, check […]

Catholic universities are not alone in their struggle to balance religious identity and academic freedom. The Dallas Morning News explores how Baylor University – the largest Baptist university in the country – is stepping up to the task under the leadership of its new president, former Whitewater prosecutor Ken Starr. It seems the Texas university is […]

Hubert Eyck/The Bridgeman Art Library/Getty Images NPR has an intriguing story about what might be the world’s most coveted painting.  Completed in 1432 by Jan van Eyck, the Ghent Altarpiece features panels depicting biblical themes and pilgrims adoring the Lamb of God. Throughout the centuries, it was stolen or faced the threat of theft many times. NPR spoke […]

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92txLzud5VI]?If I’m counting correctly, tonight’s Midnight Mass at Our Lady of Hope in Dundalk will mark the 20th time I’ve had the honor of serving as organist for the joyful Christmas liturgy. People of all ages will crowd into the contemporary-styled church, which is usually dimmed slightly and illuminated with flickering candles

WASHINGTON – With the repeal of the policy that banned gays from serving openly in the armed forces, an auxiliary bishop of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services said Dec. 23 that “there are no changes” to the archdiocese’s ministry “and our response” to “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

We were very saddened to learn of the death of Father Tom Polk (CR, Nov. 18). We personally knew Father Tom when he was assigned as senior priest at St. Francis of Assisi in northeast Baltimore City. We had the privilege of participating in a “Why Catholic” group with him for a short time. We will never forget his appreciation and respect for women and especially motherhood. He made all of the women in our group feel special just to be mothers. He will be truly missed.

Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien has an audio Christmas message here and Wilmington Bishop W. Francis Malooly (former Baltimore auxiliary bishop) has a video Christmas message here.

NPR Photo The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, the Nashville-based order of religious women who do a bang-up job running Mount de Sales Academy in Catonsville, are getting some national exposure. NPR recently featured the thriving congregation on “All Things Considered.” The program reported that 27 women joined the Nashville Dominicans this year and 90 entered […]