Page 1456 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI underlined the Swiss Guard’s important task of protecting the pope and watching over the Vatican.

Joseph Gill takes last step to priesthood

Joseph Gill was only 16 when he was accepted into the archdiocesan priesthood formation program as one of the youngest candidates in recent memory. After eight years of study, prayer and pastoral work, he will take one of the final steps in his journey toward priesthood when Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien ordains him a transitional deacon May 23 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.

The revitalization of a Sodality and a woman’s reflections

The Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Immaculate Conception, Towson, has been undergoing a gradual revitalization program for the past three seasons in order to recapture the original intent of Sodalities, which was founded in Rome (1563 A.D.) by Rev. John Leunis, S.J.

‘Angels and Demons’ is harmless entertainment, Vatican newspaper says

ROME – The newly premiered movie “Angels and Demons” is little more than “harmless entertainment,” with many factual errors and little cultural value, according to the Vatican newspaper.

Israeli, Vatican officials deny reports about control of holy sites

JERUSALEM – Israeli and Vatican officials denied reports that Israeli President Shimon Peres had asked the government to relinquish sovereignty over several holy places as a gesture of good will for Pope Benedict XVI.

Praise for two Baltimore ‘saints’

I have come not merely to praise Monsignor Jeremiah Kenney, but to canonize him! While it is indeed often prudent to wait until a saint is dead before he or she is officially canonized, the sad part is that they miss their own party! So I’d like to have Jerry enjoy his canonization while still alive!

Healing the wound of racism

In a major speech shortly after becoming attorney general, Eric Holden stated bluntly that America is “essentially a nation of cowards” because we “simply do not talk enough with each other about race.” I concur with his assessment. Dialoguing, not debating, the topic of race would be so therapeutic for our country, yet we shy away from it because it’s too painful and challenging. White Americans say African-Americans are too sensitive and should stop playing the “race card” as an excuse and “get over it.” African-Americans attempt to avoid the discussion because it conjures up painful emotions; or through deep denial, some of us who have been “successful” pretend it doesn’t exist.

Senior shares memories of Holy Cross band

Norman Beard lost contact with music after he enlisted in the Army, but he still refers to his days in the Holy Cross Boys Band of South Baltimore as some of the best years of his early life. When the band formed in 1933, Mr. Beard was a fifth-grader interested in music, but “no one knew how to play,” he said.

They’re never too old to shoot hoops

Move it or lose it. That theme applies to a basketball team from Towson that does get around. Gil Hoffman, Frank Lastner and Paul McGillicuddy have ties to local parishes, but the Archdiocese of Baltimore will be in the figurative rear-view mirror come August, when the men head to California for a national tournament.

Comic actor Dom DeLuise dies at age 75

WASHINGTON – Dom DeLuise, the Catholic comic actor who mastered the double-take look of surprise on film, died May 4 at St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., after a long illness. He was 75.

Vatican reaffirms support for nuclear nonproliferation treaty at UN

UNITED NATIONS – The Vatican’s chief representative to the United Nations has set forth a series of steps that will move the world toward the goal of eventual nuclear disarmament.

Chicago detainees to receive pastoral care while on deportation buses