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VATICAN CITY – The beatitude, “Blessed are the pure of heart,” is an appeal for honesty and humility, the preacher of the papal household told Pope Benedict XVI and top Vatican officials. Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, leading the traditional Friday Lenten reflection at the Vatican March 9, said that only in the 19th century did people begin equating the phrase of Jesus with “do not commit impure acts.” The opposite of purity of heart, he said, is not impurity but hypocrisy.

A funeral Mass for retired Deacon Walton A. Smith will be offered 11 a.m. March 15 at St. Francis Xavier Church, Baltimore. Deacon Smith died March 6. He was 76.

While thousands of Catholics across the United States will be recovering from St. Patrick’s Day revelry March 18, parishioners at St Joseph’s Passionist Monastery Church, Irvington, will be celebrating St. Joseph’s Day. The parish will host a special Mass at 10 a.m. to honor the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, followed by a Heritage Potluck Brunch in the school hall.

In response to “Protest to change Iraq war policies,” (CR, March 1), I say the following:

George Weigel will present a lecture based on his book, “Pope Benedict XVI and the future of the Catholic Church,” March 14 beginning at 7 p.m. in the parish center of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Homeland. Sponsored by the Baltimore Guild of the Catholic Medical Association, the event is free and open to the public.

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Richard O’Hara, head of The Wellington School in Columbus, Ohio, has been named the first president of The John Carroll School, Bel Air. The announcement was made by Augustus Brown, chairman of the school’s board of trustees, Feb. 20 following a unanimous vote by the board of trustees and approval by the Archdiocese of Baltimore. As president, Mr. O’Hara will be the chief executive officer and will be responsible for the overall operation of the school, including areas of finance, institutional advancement, alumni relations, public relations and facilities.

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Mepkin Abbey in Moncks Corner has released a statement saying the Trappist order meets and exceeds guidelines for egg production in the United States. The statement came after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Feb. 20 accused the order of torturing its laying hens. On its Web site PETA posted a video of the abbey’s farm, taken without the monks’ knowledge, and written accusations of mistreatment.

Suzanne Shipley, vice president for academic affairs at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Baltimore, for six years, has accepted a new post as the 15th president of Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, W.Va. beginning July 1. Chosen from more than 120 applicants, Dr. Shipley was one of four finalists for the position.

Bonnie Phipps, 58, Chief Executive Officer of St. Agnes HealthCare, Baltimore, has been named one of Ascension Health system’s four Ministry Market Leaders. Ascension Health is the nation’s largest Catholic and nonprofit health system.