Page 1803 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

CUMBERLAND – Standing next to piles of neatly folded children’s shirts and dainty toddler’s dresses hanging overhead on hangers, Ellie Mantheiy was pleased with the quantity and quality of the apparel. “It’s mostly used clothing donated by parishioners,” said Ms. Mantheiy, coordinator of the children’s clothing outreach program at St. Mary, Cumberland. “Some of it is brand new. Our parishioners are very generous.” The outreach program started about three years ago to help struggling parents throughout the community clothe their children. The church accepts donations of pants, shirts, dresses, jackets and more which are then distributed free of charge to anyone who needs them.

St. Margaret competes in Scholympics

Three teams of seventh-graders from St. Margaret School, Bel Air, competed in Scholympics, an annual academic competition held at Institute of Notre Dame, Baltimore.

Faith helps foster care student overcome odds

Living with eight different foster parents over the course of six years isn’t exactly a recipe for stability, but 18-year-old Morris Johnson didn’t let it hold him back. With strong support from Catholic educators and a deep faith in God, the young convert to Catholicism made it through Mother Seton Academy in Fells Point and graduated this June from Loyola Blakefield in Towson. He plans to study business at Goucher College in Towson this fall. A few days after receiving his high school diploma, Mr. Johnson said he is grateful for the opportunities he has received through his Catholic upbringing. He’s not sure where he would be today had he not attended Catholic schools, he said.

Our Lady of the Fields celebrate the feast of St. Anthony

The aroma of baked lasagna and homemade sauces wafted through the parish hall of Our Lady of the Fields, Millersville, June 16, as the parish celebrated the feast of St. Anthony with an Italian Festival. “It’s a good way to evangelize,” said Lisa Pitocco, coordinator of the event and a native Italian. “We get the Italians from all over to get together and even people who aren’t Italian come and experience the culture and good food.”

Mass-goers pray for Cardinal Keeler’s speedy recovery

As Cardinal William H. Keeler underwent surgery to remove excess fluid from his brain June 18, well wishers and fellow Catholics prayed for the 76-year-old Archbishop of Baltimore during a 12:10 p.m. Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Baltimore. Bishop W. Francis Malooly, western vicar and vicar general, told the congregation and members of the media who assembled for the service he had celebrated Mass with the cardinal earlier that morning and said the cardinal was optimistic about the outcome of the surgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore.

Pope meets Orthodox archbishop, calls for prayers for unity

VATICAN CITY – Perseverance and prayer are needed as Catholics and Orthodox work toward full unity, Pope Benedict XVI said, welcoming Orthodox Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus to the Vatican. The head of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus spent five hours with Pope Benedict June 16; his visit included a private meeting, a ceremony to sign a joint declaration of ecumenical commitment, a midday prayer service in the Vatican’s Redemptoris Mater Chapel and a two-hour lunch.

On pilgrimage to Assisi, pope appeals for Mideast peace

ASSISI, Italy – On a pilgrimage to the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Benedict XVI appealed for peace in the Middle East and a return to “responsible and sincere dialogue” to end armed conflicts. The pope’s one-day trip June 17 marked the 800th anniversary of the conversion of St. Francis, a figure the pope described as a one-time “king of partying” who learned to make space for God. The pope made a point of praising the 1986 interreligious gathering in Assisi, an initiative of Pope John Paul II, as “a prophetic intuition and a moment of grace.” Such dialogue is an essential part of Christianity, but must be carried out without weakening the Christian duty to spread the Gospel, he said.

All are equal in uniform

In Thomas McCarthy’s commentary letter about “Remembering World War II,” (CR, June 7), I don’t know what the uniform of a racial minority looks like.

Sykesville Marianist marks golden jubilee

“Retirement” isn’t in Father Paul A. Reich’s vocabulary. A Marianist priest for 50 years, the 78-year-old associate pastor of St. Joseph in Sykesville said he loves his ministry as much as ever and he has no plans of slowing down. “There’s always something to do once you’re ordained,” he said with a smile. “I’ve never lost the desire to be a priest. It’s what I’ve always wanted to be.”

Father Peterson celebrates 60 years as a priest

After celebrating his 60th anniversary as a priest on June 10, Father Casimir Peterson, 86, said his service as an altar boy and the guidance of the sisters who taught him at Our Lady of Pompei, Baltimore, were inspirational in his discernment to the priesthood.

Virginia Tech shooting victim left behind message of forgiveness

ARLINGTON, Va. – Mary Karen Read, a 19-year-old victim of the shootings at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, aspired to be a teacher. Now she is posthumously teaching a lesson of forgiveness in the aftermath of the deadliest shooting rampage in U.S. history.

Project Storybook helps imprisoned mothers stay close to their kids