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WASHINGTON – At the top of Bob Zyskowski’s to-do list as the new president of the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada is “making association membership more valuable to everyone who works for Catholic publications.” “I think we need to offer members more programs and services that make Catholic media so good that they are even more vital and valuable to readers and viewers,” he told Catholic News Service in an interview in June.

WASHINGTON – A host of Catholic organizations have joined similar Protestant, Jewish and Muslim groups in a coalition to urge a reversal of one part of last year’s Military Commissions Act that eliminates habeas corpus for noncitizens held in custody.

When parishioners attend Mass at Sacred Heart, Glyndon, July 14 and 15, they will hear from a missionary working in Argentina about the continuing labors of the Catholic Church in that region. Members of the congregation will then be asked to generously contribute in the second collection to help fund those ongoing efforts.

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI spent about an hour with an international group of bishops June 27 discussing his decision to allow greater use of the Tridentine Mass. Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston, who attended the meeting, confirmed to Catholic News Service that the purpose of the encounter was to inform the bishops about the coming papal document and help ensure its favorable reception.

DENVER – Public service announcements for television and radio launched by the U.S. bishops June 27 feature couples from around the country candidly talking about what they did that day for their marriage.

To many, Jim McCoach was a legend in the world of local runners, particularly those in the high school community. He died in 2006, and on July 1 a 5K run/walk will take place in his honor at Oregon Ridge Park.

WASHINGTON – Slavery is something most Americans read about only in history books, but British actress and U.N. Goodwill Ambassador Julia Ormond has met the victims of modern slavery – vulnerable men, women and children sold by traffickers for sex or labor.

LONDON – In ancient mythology, the chimera was a fire-breathing creature made up of the parts of various animals. Typically, it was portrayed with the head of a lion, the body of a goat and the tail of a serpent.

The first time Jane Cohill played the organ for Mass at St. Michael in Clear Spring, the 11-year-old girl spent countless hours practicing the one hymn she planned for her big debut – “Oh Come All Ye Faithful.”

Florence Stallo, 90, and her niece were spending time together in her apartment at The Maples of Towson on April 20 when the fire alarm went off. Ms. Stallo said the assisted living community runs fire drills every month or so and she didn’t think much of it, until she opened the door to her apartment and smelled smoke.

HONG KONG – Catholic bishops who have registered with the Chinese government were called to a two-day meeting in Beijing in late June.