Page 1470 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

A letter (CR, April 2) contended that President Obama should be allowed to speak at Notre Dame’s commencement. The writer mentioned that President Bush was allowed to speak at Notre Dame in 2001 even though he had “presided over” executions in Texas. Behind this argument is the assumption of a moral equivalence between direct abortion and capital punishment.

Youth walk for faith, hope and love in annual pilgrimage

The bright afternoon sun of April 4 reflected off more than 1,200 youthful faces, and a strong wind filled the spaces between them on the lawn of the St. Mary’s Spiritual Center and Historic Site.

Iowa bishops say allowing gay marriage ‘will grievously harm families’

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Iowa’s Catholic bishops vigorously disagreed with the Iowa Supreme Court’s unanimous decision April 3 that strikes down state law defining marriage as a union of one man and one woman.

Longest-surviving MD heart-transplant patient prays for a kidney

Orlando DeFelice was down to 92 pounds. His skin was the color of a banana. He couldn’t even take a few steps without becoming short of breath. The then-28-year-old parishioner of St. Joseph in Cockeysville needed a new heart and he needed it fast.

Dundalk educator honored for decades of dedication

Few recipients of the Doris Musil Award for Excellence in Catholic Education Leadership have ever felt a stronger tie to the honor’s namesake than School Sister of Notre Dame Irene Pryle.

Self-sacrifice is the key to Christian life, pope says on Palm Sunday

VATICAN CITY – Celebrating Mass on Palm Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI said daily self-sacrifice in imitation of Christ was the key to the Christian life.

Knights Templar may have secretly held shroud, Vatican expert says

VATICAN CITY – A Vatican researcher has found evidence that the Knights Templar, the medieval crusading order, held secret custody of the Shroud of Turin during the 13th and 14th centuries.

Growing number of births to unwed mothers in US raises concerns

WASHINGTON – A recent federal report showing a rise in U.S. births in 2007 also revealed another statistic: 40 percent of the births were to unwed mothers.

For Pope John Paul II, beatification process may be on final lap

VATICAN CITY – They brought flowers and messages to his grave. They sang songs evoking his memory. And they prayed for his beatification.

Homeless and afraid, a single mother finds hope with housing program

ST. PAUL, Minn. – From the huge windows of her downtown apartment, Mary Smith, 33, can look over the rooftops of St. Paul’s businesses. Her son, 2-year-old Khaliq Hall, can see the trains passing on the tracks to the west, along the Mississippi River.

Archdiocesan pilgrimage to Washington is April 25

In celebration of the Year of St. Paul, the Archdiocese of Baltimore is sponsoring a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. April 25.

Pope advances sainthood causes of 11, including Italian nun