Page 1672 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

VATICAN CITY – The importance of marriage and the family and the values needed to sustain family life can be an appropriate starting point for interreligious dialogue, said an official of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

Father Murphy named pastor of Frederick parish

After serving two years as administrator of St. John the Evangelist in Frederick, Father Richard J. Murphy has been named pastor of the 4,200-family faith community. Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien made the appointment, effective immediately.

Father Martin appointed to pastoral ministry

Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien has appointed Father Raymond D. Martin to St. John, Westminster, as associate pastor for pastoral care at Carroll Hospital Center and The Dove House Hospice in Westminster effective March 24.

Dr. Ayd, pioneer in psychopharmacology, dies at 87

A funeral Mass for Dr. Frank J. Ayd Jr., a distinguished psychiatrist and world leader in medicine who was dedicated to the Catholic Church, was offered March 24 at St. John the Evangelist, Hydes.

Pope will find a spiritual nation during his U.S. visit

WASHINGTON – Pope Benedict XVI will find a spiritual nation when he visits the United States in April, according to a new national survey commissioned by the Knights of Columbus.

Cardinal Foley to receive special award from Christophers

NEW YORK – U.S. Cardinal John P. Foley, pro-grand master of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, has been named the recipient of the Christopher Leadership Award by the Christophers.

Trip to Medjugorje puts woman on path to full membership

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Deb Brunsberg, 52, of Coon Rapids still feels a bit woozy from the wild roller-coaster ride her life has been lately. Two years after a devastating divorce set her spiraling into the depths of despair, an 11-day trip to Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina shot her at breakneck speed to the height of happiness.

Archbishop O’Brien speaks of ‘extravagant generosity’

One of the few lights on inside the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen before the Good Friday Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion began March 21 was the light over the crucifix. It seemed to set a solemn tone as Catholics of all ages quietly knelt in prayer at the Homeland cathedral.

Preparation Rites share stories, excitement of journeys

Cradle Catholics preparing for Easter might not be familiar with one Holy Week celebration: the Preparation Rites on Saturday morning for those who will be received into the church that evening.

Catholic novelist Jon Hassler dies at 74

ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. – A funeral Mass was scheduled for March 27 at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis for Jon Hassler, an award-winning novelist and a professor emeritus of fiction at St. John’s University in Collegeville.

Protesters charged with felony for disrupting Easter Mass

CHICAGO – Six young people – all between the ages of 18 and 25 -were charged with felony criminal defacement of property and simple battery after spattering fake blood on themselves and nearby worshippers during the 11 a.m. Easter Mass in the auditorium at Holy Name Cathedral’s parish center in Chicago March 23.

Sen. Obama’s speech on race seen as a model