Threatened harvest and daily harassment rattle West Bank’s last Christian village Hispanic leaders learn to build a stronger ministry together Florida Catholic bishops push back on state AG’s threat to participation in school voucher program The day O.J. Brigance testified that every life has value USCCB’s education director reflects on Catholic school landscape as school year begins Local News Hispanic leaders learn to build a stronger ministry together Aline Behar Kado August 18, 2026 Twenty years ago, Wednesday night Mass in Spanish at Christ the King in Glen Burnie drew about 10 people. Today, the Hispanic community there and at neighboring St. Bernadette in Severn fills three crowded Masses every weekend – a surge of growth that has brought new energy and new growing pains to the pastorate’s ministries. Radio Interview: An American Martyr – The Legacy of Blessed Stanley Rother Catholic Review Staff August 17, 2026 In this episode of Catholic Review Radio, Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty interviews Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda, promoter of the canonization cause of Father Stanley Rother, a priest from Oklahoma who became a martyr in Guatemala. Values, service highlight nursing career spanning 59 years Samantha Smith August 14, 2026 For 59 years, Jacqueline “Jackie” Brock has built her nursing career around a simple calling: caring for people when they are at their most vulnerable. At Ascension St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, she has served patients in orthopedic nursing, the emergency department, operating room and registration area, bringing the hospital’s mission and values into each role. Fire damages building used for youth activities at St. Joseph, Fullerton Jay Sorgi August 13, 2026 The damage was extensive, but so was the gratefulness that no one was hurt after what parish and archdiocesan leaders suspect was an Aug. 10 lightning strike which led to a fire within a building on the campus of St. Joseph in Fullerton. More Local News World News Threatened harvest and daily harassment rattle West Bank’s last Christian village Judith Sudilovsky August 19, 2026 For the past three months, Israeli settlers have been bringing their sheep herd up to the Kaabnah family compound just outside Taybeh village twice a day like clockwork, in the morning and in the evening. Florida Catholic bishops push back on state AG’s threat to participation in school voucher program Kate Scanlon August 18, 2026 The Catholic bishops of Florida issued a staunch defense of their ability to determine policies for Catholic schools after Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sent them a letter demanding that Catholic schools in the Sunshine State adopt religious exemptions to vaccine requirements or risk their ability to participate in the state’s school voucher program. USCCB’s education director reflects on Catholic school landscape as school year begins Kimberly Heatherington August 18, 2026 With a new school year on the horizon, OSV News asked John DeJak, director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Catholic Education, to provide an overview of Catholic education in America. As a former teacher and administrator who has served in both diocesan and independent schools since the late 1990s, DeJak is uniquely positioned to assess the state of the nation’s approximately 5,800 Catholic schools, which educate nearly 1.7 million students. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. San Antonio priest laicized, excommunicated after calling Popes Francis and Leo ‘usurpers’ Simone Orendain August 18, 2026 A priest of the Archdiocese of San Antonio who was “found guilty of schism” has been removed from the clerical state and excommunicated, according to the archbishop of the archdiocese. More World News Commentary The day O.J. Brigance testified that every life has value George P. Matysek Jr. August 18, 2026 Brigance, who died Aug. 17 at age 56, was largely incapacitated by ALS and unable to speak without the aid of a computerized voice. Addressing lawmakers considering the legalization of physician-assisted suicide, he spoke passionately about the value of life. Question Corner: What is the Catholic Church’s current stance on Freemasonry? Jenna Marie Cooper August 17, 2026 Could you clarify the Church’s current stance on Freemasonry? Some seem to think that these days it’s “no different than belonging to Rotary” or any other service club. The local church has parishioners that belong to the local Masonic lodge. Addressing the ‘valleys of despair’ caused by the growing sports betting industry Charles C. Camosy August 13, 2026 The sports betting industry has seen explosive growth in revenue in the past six years, but how is it affecting society? Ray Kim, director of U.S. Programs & Partnerships at the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy, recently spoke with OSV News’ Charles Camosy about what Catholics should know about the growing addiction issues that have taken hold for many. Ryan, meet Ryan: A glimpse into record-breaking Ryan Meet-ups Rita Buettner August 11, 2026 The idea that people named Ryan would gather together simply to celebrate sharing a name really struck me. Question Corner: What is predestination? Jenna Marie Cooper August 10, 2026 Q: Could you please tell me what exactly predestination is? Also, is this a dogma of the Catholic Church or is it heresy? More Commentary Featured Video On July 29, 2026, The Hillbilly Thomists entered the event hall at Ss. Philip and James in Charles Village to a sellout crowd of more than 500. The event saw families, fans old and new, and people of all ages come together for a night of worship and fun.
Hispanic leaders learn to build a stronger ministry together Aline Behar Kado August 18, 2026 Twenty years ago, Wednesday night Mass in Spanish at Christ the King in Glen Burnie drew about 10 people. Today, the Hispanic community there and at neighboring St. Bernadette in Severn fills three crowded Masses every weekend – a surge of growth that has brought new energy and new growing pains to the pastorate’s ministries.
Radio Interview: An American Martyr – The Legacy of Blessed Stanley Rother Catholic Review Staff August 17, 2026 In this episode of Catholic Review Radio, Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty interviews Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda, promoter of the canonization cause of Father Stanley Rother, a priest from Oklahoma who became a martyr in Guatemala.
Values, service highlight nursing career spanning 59 years Samantha Smith August 14, 2026 For 59 years, Jacqueline “Jackie” Brock has built her nursing career around a simple calling: caring for people when they are at their most vulnerable. At Ascension St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, she has served patients in orthopedic nursing, the emergency department, operating room and registration area, bringing the hospital’s mission and values into each role.
Fire damages building used for youth activities at St. Joseph, Fullerton Jay Sorgi August 13, 2026 The damage was extensive, but so was the gratefulness that no one was hurt after what parish and archdiocesan leaders suspect was an Aug. 10 lightning strike which led to a fire within a building on the campus of St. Joseph in Fullerton.
Threatened harvest and daily harassment rattle West Bank’s last Christian village Judith Sudilovsky August 19, 2026 For the past three months, Israeli settlers have been bringing their sheep herd up to the Kaabnah family compound just outside Taybeh village twice a day like clockwork, in the morning and in the evening.
Florida Catholic bishops push back on state AG’s threat to participation in school voucher program Kate Scanlon August 18, 2026 The Catholic bishops of Florida issued a staunch defense of their ability to determine policies for Catholic schools after Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sent them a letter demanding that Catholic schools in the Sunshine State adopt religious exemptions to vaccine requirements or risk their ability to participate in the state’s school voucher program.
USCCB’s education director reflects on Catholic school landscape as school year begins Kimberly Heatherington August 18, 2026 With a new school year on the horizon, OSV News asked John DeJak, director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Catholic Education, to provide an overview of Catholic education in America. As a former teacher and administrator who has served in both diocesan and independent schools since the late 1990s, DeJak is uniquely positioned to assess the state of the nation’s approximately 5,800 Catholic schools, which educate nearly 1.7 million students. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
San Antonio priest laicized, excommunicated after calling Popes Francis and Leo ‘usurpers’ Simone Orendain August 18, 2026 A priest of the Archdiocese of San Antonio who was “found guilty of schism” has been removed from the clerical state and excommunicated, according to the archbishop of the archdiocese.
The day O.J. Brigance testified that every life has value George P. Matysek Jr. August 18, 2026 Brigance, who died Aug. 17 at age 56, was largely incapacitated by ALS and unable to speak without the aid of a computerized voice. Addressing lawmakers considering the legalization of physician-assisted suicide, he spoke passionately about the value of life.
Question Corner: What is the Catholic Church’s current stance on Freemasonry? Jenna Marie Cooper August 17, 2026 Could you clarify the Church’s current stance on Freemasonry? Some seem to think that these days it’s “no different than belonging to Rotary” or any other service club. The local church has parishioners that belong to the local Masonic lodge.
Addressing the ‘valleys of despair’ caused by the growing sports betting industry Charles C. Camosy August 13, 2026 The sports betting industry has seen explosive growth in revenue in the past six years, but how is it affecting society? Ray Kim, director of U.S. Programs & Partnerships at the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy, recently spoke with OSV News’ Charles Camosy about what Catholics should know about the growing addiction issues that have taken hold for many.
Ryan, meet Ryan: A glimpse into record-breaking Ryan Meet-ups Rita Buettner August 11, 2026 The idea that people named Ryan would gather together simply to celebrate sharing a name really struck me.
Question Corner: What is predestination? Jenna Marie Cooper August 10, 2026 Q: Could you please tell me what exactly predestination is? Also, is this a dogma of the Catholic Church or is it heresy?
