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.
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.
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.
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.
Former Catholic Review columnist dies at 81 January 2, 2012By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News, Obituaries Paulist Father James McCabe, former director of the Family Life Center in Baltimore and a longtime columnist for The Catholic Review, died Dec. 25, 2011 in Toronto. He was 81 and had been battling cancer.
St. Luke honors longtime pastor at his retirement December 13, 2011By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News, Retirement EDGEMERE – Standing at the back of St. Luke Church following a Dec. 11 Mass marking his retirement, Monsignor Joseph S. Lizor Jr. extended both arms to shake hands with the many parishioners who wanted to greet him. Several children gave the 79-year-old pastor homemade cards, while hugs seemed to engulf the vested clergyman faster than he expected.
Christmas stamp features Walters Art Museum treasure by Raphael December 5, 2011By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Local News, News A Raphael masterpiece that hangs in the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore is getting national attention this holiday season as the U.S. Postal Service features the “Madonna of the Candelabra” as one of its 2011 Christmas stamps.
Interfaith leaders pledge to defend traditional marriage in Maryland December 1, 2011By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News Leaders of a newly-formed pro-marriage coalition came out swinging against efforts to legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland – pledging in a Nov. 30 press conference to rally citizens across the state to defeat legislation that would alter the traditional definition of marriage.
Vatican will not consider Annapolis healing case November 30, 2011By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News Vatican experts have declined to consider the case of the apparent healing of an Annapolis woman as the miracle needed for the canonization of Blessed Francis X. Seelos, a 19th century Redemptorist priest who was pastor of St. Alphonsus in Baltimore, St. Mary in Annapolis and Ss. Peter and Paul in Cumberland.
Parishes welcome new English translation of Roman Missal November 29, 2011By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News Father Matthew T. Buening looked out on his congregation Nov. 27 as he was concluding Mass at St. Paul in Ellicott City and spoke words he has offered throughout his priesthood.
Community life inspires ‘miracle man’ November 22, 2011By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Blog, The Narthex Redemptorist Father John Murray is convinced he’s a walking miracle. After suffering a fall that left him paralyzed from the chest down, the former pastor of St. Mary in Annapolis and St. Wenceslaus in Baltimore began praying for Blessed Francis X. Seelos – a former St. Mary’s pastor – to intercede on his behalf. As noted in this […]