Page 1639 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

It may be tempting to view Pope John Paul II’s many accomplishments in the political arena as the product of his unique personal experiences growing up as a Pole under Nazi and Communist domination.

Governor signs legislation regarding abuse reporting, death penalty commission

Gov. Martin J. O’Malley signed a number of bills into law May 13, including House Bill 1111/ Senate Bill 614 establishing a Maryland Commission on Capital Punishment and Senate Bill 238/ House Bill 75 requiring nonpublic schools to receive a report when one of their students is arrested for a serious offense. Both measures were supported by Maryland’s Catholic bishops.

Chinese priests work around disruptions to assess quake damage

CHENGDU, China – Chinese priests had to work around disrupted telephone systems and damaged roads as they tried to assess the damage from the May 12 earthquake centered under Sichuan province.

Pope urges Israel to help keep Christians as force for peace, stability

VATICAN CITY – Welcoming Israel’s new ambassador to the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI urged Israel to help its Christian citizens remain in the country where they could be a force for peace and understanding.

Directive from Archbishop Flynn ends lay preaching at Mass

NEW HOPE, Minn. – Father Terry Rassmussen, pastor of St. Joseph Church in New Hope, finished the reading, closed the Book of the Gospels and stepped away from the ambo. From the congregation, Ginny Untiedt stepped forward.

John Carroll women’s lax defeats McDonogh 11-6

Reaching perfection in anything is a daunting task, especially in the realm of sports. But for The John Carroll School, Bel Air, “the sky’s the limit,” at least that was the mantra on the back of the Lady Patriots’ shirts for the 2008 IAAM A Conference lacrosse championships on May 10 at St. Paul’s School for Girls, Levering Field.

Church must hit streets, malls to teach men the message of life

The church, that’s you and me, has to accept the responsibility of being visible by going into the public square to address the social ills that plague our society. We do that very well in many social ministries, and many who are in those ministries feel not enough is being done. It is also true that pro-life groups provide many services to women in a crisis pregnancy and there are various private and public services for the children saved from abortion. However, there is one group of people to whom we really need to turn our attention.

Father Adam Parker’s mother says she prayed daily for vocations

Parishioners of Holy Trinity, Glen Burnie, got a special treat during Mass May 11, when George and Maureen Parker, parents of Father Adam Parker, delivered a talk about the sacrament of holy orders.

Bishop Douglas Miles (center left) from Koinonia Baptist and Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien joins supporters of the Preston Place BUILD project May 8. (Brendan Cavanaugh for The Catholic Review)|

Townhomes go up in blighted community

Moments before an 80-foot crane hoisted the second story of a new townhouse into its permanent position along Caroline Street in East Baltimore, Julia Matthews stood on the sidewalk and smiled.

Myanmar cyclone victims try to survive amid devastating losses

LEIEINTAN, Myanmar – Pascal Than Hlaing is just one of many who are grieving in Leieintan, a village where only one house is left standing and the Baptist and Catholic churches had their roofs torn open.

Pope defends church’s teaching on artificial birth control

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI defended the church’s teaching against artificial birth control and said its wisdom has become clearer in light of new scientific discoveries and social trends.

Entrance rites: Getting ready to meet God