Cardinal O’Brien reflects on joys and challenges of his Baltimore years February 23, 2012By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Schools, Vocations Cardinal O’Brien leaves an indelible mark on his adopted home – reconfiguring the school system, starting a parish-planning process, speaking out strongly in defense of life and new immigrants, supporting traditional marriage and naming key leaders to archdiocesan posts.
Monsignor Adam Parker, Cardinal O’Brien’s priest-secretary, learns from his mentor February 23, 2012By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News Few people know Cardinal Edwin F. O’Brien as well as Monsignor Adam J. Parker.
Clarity in Rome confessional February 23, 2012By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Amen, Amen Matysek Commentary, Blog, Commentary The Scala Sancta, “Holy Stairs,” are believed to be the passageway Jesus walked on his way to face Pontius Pilate before the crucifixion. St. Helena, mother of Constantine, brought the staircase to the Eternal City from the Holy Land in the middle of the 4th century.
Former Episcopalian Mount Calvary parishioners received into Catholic Church January 26, 2012By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News The parishioners were the first group of Americans to be received into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church through the newly established Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, an ecclesiastical structure created by Pope Benedict XVI to make it easier to welcome former Episcopalians into the Catholic Church.
Westminster parish marks 40 years of basketball, thanks to veteran volunteers January 26, 2012By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News, Sports WESTMINSTER – Sitting in the bleachers as the repeated booming echoes of bouncing basketballs filled St. John’s gymnasium, Larry Baker and Donald “Bo” Yingling seemed like proud fathers.
Archbishop O’Brien leads Good Friday pro-life walk January 19, 2012By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News, Respect Life As at least seven women entered a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic on Howard Street in Baltimore April 10, about 200 Catholics stood on the opposite side of the street and peacefully prayed for them and their unborn children.
Gov. O’Malley calls for up or down vote on death penalty January 19, 2012By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News Calling the death penalty “an expensive and utterly ineffective tool in deterring violent crime,” Gov. Martin J. O’Malley implored members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee to allow his proposed capital punishment ban to reach the floor for a vote by the full legislative body.
St. Frances Academy dreams of big expansion January 19, 2012By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News Walking along the Johnston Square streets that surround St. Frances Academy in a forgotten corner of East Baltimore, Tom Nealis passed vacant lots overrun with weeds and boarded-up row houses tagged with graffiti.
Ground broken for Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden January 19, 2012By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Baltimore Basilica, Local News, News For someone who relished the great outdoors, the late Pope John Paul II would certainly be pleased with the outdoor prayer garden that is being carved out of the corner of Charles and Franklin streets in downtown Baltimore.
Pope John Paul II prayer garden will be center of prayer January 19, 2012By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Baltimore Basilica, Local News, News A bustling section of downtown Baltimore is about to get a quiet spot for reflection and meditation when Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien breaks ground April 11 for the long-awaited Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden.
Baby Jesus returns January 19, 2012By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News He once was lost but now is found. The plastic baby Jesus figure that vandals ripped from the outdoor manger of a Timonium Nativity scene last January has been recovered and returned to Gil and Loretta Hoffman.
St. Peter picnic is a hit in Western Maryland January 19, 2012By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News, Western Vicariate MCHENRY – Tightly holding a large waterlogged sponge in his fist, 9-year-old Isaac Fike wound up like Orioles pitcher Erik Bedard and launched the soggy missile towards its target. As other children squealed with delight, Isaac hit his mark on his first try – smack in the face of Father Donald Parson, pastor of St. Peter the Apostle in Oakland. “If you want to go to heaven you’ll stop it,” shouted a smiling Father Parson, his soaked face poking through a cutout hole in a plywood angel figure topped with a halo. Father Michael Triplett, a newly ordained priest recently assigned to the parishes of Western Maryland, quickly jumped to Isaac’s defense.
