Page 1459 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

VATICAN CITY – In a step toward reconciling a long-standing historical injustice, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his sorrow for the suffering of Canadian aboriginal children over decades in church-run residential schools.

Sebelius confirmed, sworn in as Health and Human Services secretary

WASHINGTON – The Senate confirmed Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services by a 61-35 vote April 28 and she was sworn in to the post hours later.

As swine flu spreads, Mexican cardinal prays to Our Lady of Guadalupe

MEXICO CITY – Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera of Mexico City prayed to Our Lady of Guadalupe and canceled Masses in the archdiocese April 26 due to the swine flu outbreak.

Panel: Politics at a defining moment for Catholic social teaching

WASHINGTON – The current political environment provides a defining moment for the interplay of Catholic social teachings on issues Congress is facing, according to a panel of Washington-area academics in a symposium organized by the Life Cycle Institute of The Catholic University of America.

Palestinian refugees asking pope to take their story to the world

AIDA REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank – When Pope Benedict XVI comes to the Aida Refugee Camp May 13, Um Omar will climb to the balcony on the top floor of her building and wave both her hands in a victory sign in his direction.

Dockery to present dramatic reading of Jesuit priest’s poems

Baltimore actor Seamus Dockery will present a dramatic reading of the Marian- and Christ-centered poetry of Jesuit priest Gerard Manley Hopkins May 3 at 4 p.m. to celebrate the Marian month of May and the reopening of the Chapel of Grace at St. Ignatius.

Pope visits quake zone to strengthen survivors’ faith, hope for future

ONNA, Italy – In a visit aimed at strengthening people’s faith and hope for the future, Pope Benedict XVI called for concrete and immediate measures to rebuild towns and villages devastated by a deadly earthquake.

With Mary on pilgrimage

The following is the text of the homily given by Archbishop O’Brien during the Mass he celebrated for the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., on April 25, 2009.

Good Counsel honors past, present and future at 150th anniversary

Many longtime Our Lady of Good Counsel parishioners can tell you how many doors down they were from the church as children. They can also tell how many doors down they are now as adults.

New ‘Monologues’ play offers hope for healing after abortion

WASHINGTON – A play created by a member of a Minnesota theater company aims to be an alternative to “The Vagina Monologues,” a popular campus play but one that is often criticized for its sexual explicitness.

Weigel shouldn’t dismiss Obama aspirations

Today, when the faintest wisp of optimism is a gift, it’s more than disappointing to read George Weigel, one of the nation’s sharpest Catholic minds, dismiss many of the president’s national aspirations as a “familiar litany of liberal … shibboleths.” (CR, April 23). I would prefer: Aspirations for peace yet unrealized, but worth the striving!

Archbishop O’Brien leads pilgrimage to national shrine