Kimberly Proctor, a 2004 graduate of the Institute of Notre Dame, Baltimore, was awarded a full graduate assistantship with the University of New Mexico, where she plans to earn a doctorate in political science. Ms. Proctor is a senior airman with the U.S. Air Force and recently applied for the rank of staff sergeant.
… Stephanie Martin, a 2008 graduate of IND, was the recipient of the Theresa and Bill Braxton Sr. Memorial Scholarship, traditionally awarded to high school seniors in Philadelphia for rowing. The Catonsville student is the first person living outside of Philadelphia to receive this honor. She rowed on IND’s crew team for four years. Stephanie will attend Bryn Mawr (Pa.) College in the fall.
… Catholic men and women who serve in active duty and those who have previously served in the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard and Reserve Components are eligible to join the Catholic War Veterans. CWV members share faith and service to the community. View more information at www.cwv.org, or contact Herb Markowski at 410-465-0858.
… Sean Glover, a member of Boy Scout Troop 810 and parishioner of St. Francis de Sales, Abingdon, was recognized for his Eagle Scout leadership service project. The youth refurbished and mulched an outdoor classroom on church property which included over 307 service hours. An active parishioner, Sean has served as altar server, sacristan and usher. He will attend Salisbury University in the fall to major in athletic training. He will be a member of the Sea Gulls swim team.
… “Fluffy the Vulture” is a children’s book illustrated and written in seven languages by William Zicker, who works in the Catholic Center’s department of management services, division of information technology. This collection of words and drawings is designed to demonstrate the connection of people throughout the world and uses color-coded parallel translations to encourage language learning.
… Again this year Father Mark S. Bialek, associate pastor of St. Joseph, Fullerton, will travel with Deacon Hector H. Mateus-Ariza, to the deacon’s homeland of Colombia to meet the founder and chair of “Sociedad Amigos de los Ninos.” This organization, which Deacon Mateus-Ariza visits to assist annually, has provided nearly 41,000 children with food, clothing, shelter, education, job training and other resources to foster growth and become productive members of society. More than 80 percent of the country lives in poverty.
… Dr. Jack Buchner, director of evangelization at St. Joseph, Cockeysville, and author of “The St. Monica Ministry,” was inspired to begin a new ministry. The St. Monica Ministry will commence at the parish Thursday mornings and evenings in October, as an outreach to Catholics no longer active in the faith. Through prayer and discussion, participants will learn appropriate responses to say to inactive family or friends about what God may be attempting to say to them. The opening session will explore how and why adults become inactive in the faith practice.
“This session is critical,” said Dr. Buchner, facilitator, “because there is no response where ‘one size fits all.’ Different situations call for different responses if we’re going to be helpful.”
Subsequent sessions will include group sharing, fellowship and support. Dr. Buchner will provide his book to use in the program.
… Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, has awarded its first DAISY award to Amanda Gorsuch, a registered nurse in the medical/surgical unit who was nominated glowingly by a patient for providing comfort, support and care. During a presentation in front of colleagues, physicians, patients and visitors, Ms. Gorsuch received an “Extraordinary Nurse” certificate and “A Healer’s Touch” sculpture, which was hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa. Mercy’s nursing administration will select a nurse each month to receive a DAISY. The hospital recently launched this recognition program, part of a national one honoring nurses who demonstrate excellence in patient care.
Ms. Gorsuch, a parishioner at St. Isaac Jogues, Carney, will receive recognition also as the first Maryland DAISY honoree.
People, Places & Things is a new format which will include previous parish news and school news columns, and additional information from around the archdiocese. E-mail items for consideration to Suzanne Molino Singleton at ssingleton@catholicreview.org.