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As we prepare to celebrate National Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 30-Feb. 5, I thought it beneficial to revisit the study on the economic benefits of Catholic schools, which was shared with community leaders two weeks ago and covered by our Catholic and other media.

A Catholic Spanish magazine reported a summary of the presentation of Jesuit Father Allan Deck at the last Conference of the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry, Raíces y Alas 2010. He mentioned several significant changes that give hope for the future of the Hispanic community in the United States, such as:

For those present Jan. 12 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen(see Page 8), Deacon Rod Mortel’s homily on the tragedy that continues to unveil in his native Haiti one year after a devastating earthquake rocked the island nation, was, I hope, as moving for them as it was for me. For those who were not able to attend, the powerful witness Dr. Mortel offers of the human suffering and need for prayers among the people of Haiti unfolds inhis homily text that follows. May each of us continue to remember in prayer our suffering sisters and brothers in Haiti.

This year, the Church’s celebration of the miraculous and timeless story of Jesus’ birth on Christmas Day coincided, just one day later, with our observation honoring the loving and powerful witness of the Holy Family of Jesus and his parents, Mary and Joseph.

Vocations come in many forms.

In a culture when freedom is supreme, the notion of obligation is repugnant to many, especially when it comes to “freedom of religion.” Nevertheless, obligations surround us: paying bills, faithfulness to spouse, keeping promises are all obligations which we readily recognize.

If I’ve failed to stress the significance of the challenge before us through my words, perhaps the frequency of my writing on the subject (three consecutive columns and counting) will succeed in doing so!

Meeting the spiritual needs of the Catholic people of the Archdiocese of Baltimore in the face of an aging and dwindling presbyterate was the challenge I laid before you in last week’s column.

My dear people of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Last week, our priests gathered over three days to pray and to discuss issues of common concern facing the presbyterate, our parishes and the Church in Baltimore.

Many are aware of my desire for full Eucharistic devotion in our parishes, a desire that received new impetus as a result of a recent conversation with a good friend.