City Council advances bill targeting pregnancy centers November 19, 2009By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News A bill that would impose new requirements on pro-life pregnancy centers in the city took a step closer to becoming law when the Baltimore City Council passed the measure 12-3 in a preliminary vote Nov. 16. Bill 09-0406 now faces a final vote after Thanksgiving and, if approved, will head to Mayor Sheila Dixon.
Dr. Valenti to step down as superintendent November 12, 2009By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News Dr. Ronald J. Valenti is stepping down as superintendent of Catholic schools after nearly 20 years of service in the Division of Schools. He plans to pursue other opportunities in the field of education and will mark his last day as superintendent June 30, 2010.
Legacy of charity: Hal Smith retires after 35 years October 29, 2009By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Catholic Charities, Feature, Local News, News When Smith became executive director of Baltimore’s Catholic Charities two years after his arrival, the agency employed 350 people and had a budget of about $6 million. Today, the organization annually helps 200,000 people in 80 programs and employs 2,100. Its budget is about $120 million.
City Council holds hearing on pregnancy center bill October 28, 2009By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Respect Life Speaking on behalf of Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien, Bishop Denis J. Madden urged the Baltimore City Council to defeat a bill that would fine pregnancy resource centers $500 a day if they fail to post signs saying they don’t offer abortion or contraceptives.
Baltimore City Council targets pro-life pregnancy centers October 22, 2009By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News Baltimore City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and 10 members of the 14-member council are sponsoring a bill that Catholic leaders believe harasses pro-life pregnancy support centers.
Little Sisters of the Poor minister to Maryland elderly for 140 years October 8, 2009By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News, Seniors When 87-year-old Alice Jadwigia Armstrong looked up from her hospital bed and saw the smiling face of Sister Lourdes Miranda, she was visibly buoyed by the nun’s presence. Clasping the hand of the Little Sister of the Poor, the white-haired woman seemed transported to the security of her youth.
Cockeysville dig yields insights into Irish life September 24, 2009By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News A summer archeological dig near St. Joseph in Cockeysville unearthed brown broken bottles and tea cups, coins, a beer token, buttons and children’s toys – clues into the daily life of Irish immigrants who manned area limestone quarries and worshipped at St. Joseph beginning in the mid-19th century.
Monsignor Bastress awarded Redemptorists’ highest honor September 19, 2009By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News On his first day as pastor of the Shrine of St. Alphonsus in Baltimore, Monsignor Arthur Bastress walked down the historic church’s long aisles and knew immediately that his new assignment was going to be something special.
Archbishop O’Brien welcomes 10 Episcopal nuns, priest into Catholic Church September 10, 2009By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Vocations A spiritual journey that began seven years ago ended in the sanctuary of a Catonsville convent Sept. 3 when 10 Episcopal nuns and their priest chaplain were received into full communion with the Catholic Church.
Bobby Flay throws down challenge to cooking priest, Father Leo September 3, 2009By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News “There he was standing with his arms crossed and nodding approvingly,” the priest said. “It shocked me and I said something like, “Oh good Jesus! What the heaven are you doing here?’”
10 Episcopal nuns in Archdiocese of Baltimore to join Catholic Church August 27, 2009By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Vocations After seven years of prayer and discernment, a community of Episcopal nuns and their chaplain will be received into the Roman Catholic Church during a Sept. 3 Mass celebrated by Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien.
Faith will guide new Catholic Charities head July 29, 2009By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Catholic Charities, Local News, News William J. McCarthy Jr. is just getting started Aug. 1 as executive director of Catholic Charities, but his roots in the outreach organization stretch back to high school.
