Page 1828 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

WASHINGTON – Results of a survey released April 30 show that the average age of the 475 priests expected to be ordained in the United States this year is 35 and one-third of this year’s new priests were born in another country, primarily Vietnam, Mexico, Poland or the Philippines. The national study of the ordination class of 2007 also shows that the men are well educated. More than six in 10 completed college before entering the seminary and some have advanced degrees in law, medicine and education.

Bishops encourage efforts to combat poverty

LONDON – Catholic bishops from four continents are appealing to leaders of the world’s richest countries to honor their commitments to combat extreme poverty. The eight church leaders met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair April 30 and were scheduled to meet with government leaders in Germany and Italy before meeting with Pope Benedict XVI.

Catholic High Cubs command respect in lacrosse this year

After a heartbreaking 11-10 overtime, sudden-victory loss in the 2006 IAAM C Conference lacrosse finals, The Catholic High School of Baltimore is on a mission to get back to the finals game and walk away with title honors this year. The Cubs are undefeated on the season, 13-0 overall and 9-0 in conference play. They have systematically outscored their opponents this season by scoring 146 goals while holding their opponents to just 29.

Free Stroke Seminar

In honor of National Stroke Awareness month, St. Agnes, Baltimore, will host a free seminar, “new Rehabilitation Advances in the Treatment of Stroke,” May 15.

NDP student wins art contest

Mary Regina Bolgiano, a student at Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson, was the grand-prize winner of Safeway’s Lucerne® Art of Diary™ “Cows & History” art contest. A junior from Lutherville, Mary was chosen from a pool of 30 national finalists from 11 states who were vying for the $22,000 grand prize which includes a $20,000 donation to her school, along with $1,000 in prize money each to her and her art instructor, Anne Walker. Her submission, “Revol-Moo-Tion,” incorporated historic images of Paul Revere’s historic ride (in this case, on a cow) and George Washington crossing the Delaware River, which is depicted as a river of ice cream. A ceramic cow featuring her design is currently on display at Safeway’s store at 10335 Reisterstown Rd. in Owings Mills, where it will remain until Monday, May 7.

Archbishop pulls support for hospital benefit

ST. LOUIS – Saying that it sent a “contradictory message” for a Catholic institution to raise funds by featuring a musician who supports abortion and embryonic stem-cell research, Archbishop Raymond L. Burke of St. Louis announced April 25 that he had withdrawn his support for an upcoming benefit for SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. Rock musician Sheryl Crow, a native of Kennett, Mo., has been an outspoken supporter of keeping abortion legal. She also supported Amendment 2, a Missouri initiative passed last fall that constitutionally protects human cloning and embryonic stem-cell research.

Jack Valenti, 85, dies

WASHINGTON – Jack Valenti, who had overseen the Motion Picture Association of America for almost four decades, was remembered fondly after his April 26 death for his diligence in alerting parents to the content of movies and television programs their children might want to see. Mr. Valenti, a Catholic, died in Washington at his home from complications of a stroke he suffered in March. He was 85 years old. No funeral details were immediately released.

St. Frances Academy makes effort to recruit Hispanics

When the new school year begins in late August, school officials at St. Frances Academy, Baltimore, expect to see a more racially diverse enrollment with the addition of several Hispanic students, ending a two-year interlude with an all-black student body. It’s the first time in its 179-year history that St. Frances Academy officials have actively recruited students, which they did with a concerted effort to enlist Hispanic teens.

Moving forward in faith

A deacon’s son and a graduate of Mount St. Joseph High School, Baltimore, will move closer to their goal of priesthood on May 12 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Baltimore, when they are ordained transitional deacons. John Rapisarda, 29, and Ernest Cibelli, 25, will be ordained by Cardinal William H. Keeler, marking the last step before completing their journey to the priesthood next year.

Father Murphy new chaplain at Towson University

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After three years at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Middle River, Father T. Austin Murphy will be leaving July 1 to become the new chaplain of the Newman Center at Towson University. “As a priest you don’t forget your first parish,” said Father Murphy, 34, who is a graduate of University of Maryland Baltimore County. “I know I will leave with their prayers.” Father Murphy said he has truly enjoyed working with the elementary and high school students and helping with the sacraments.

Basilica museum creates new experience

As the 125 high school girls from the Institute of Notre Dame, Baltimore, recently toured the newly restored Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, they entered a room that features exhibits reflecting the history of Catholicism in the United States. The room in the co-cathedral’s undercroft is designated as the basilica’s museum – a feature that didn’t exist until the completion last fall of the two-year project that restored the 200-year-old Baltimore landmark to the vision of its famed architect, Benjamin Henry Latrobe.

Maryland supported World War II at home and abroad