Bishops revel in Archbishop O’Brien’s installation October 1, 2007By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News Cardinal J. Francis Stafford made a stop in Emmitsburg before he attended Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien’s Oct. 1 installation ceremony at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland. There, he prayed for the new Baltimore archbishop at the tombs of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and Archbishop James R. Bayley – two New York natives who served in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Speaking in Rodgers Forge, Sister Helen Prejean calls for end to death penalty September 27, 2007By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Respect Life Calling the death penalty nothing more than “legalized vengeance,” Sister Helen said the gift of being a Catholic is embracing the “seamless garment of life” – respecting the dignity of life from conception until natural death.
St. Peter’s whips up 5,200 apple dumplings for fall festival September 20, 2007By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Western Vicariate In an assembly line that would make Henry Ford proud, dozens of volunteers from St. Peter in Hancock transformed their parish hall into an apple dumpling factory Sept. 12-14 – filling the air with the delightfully dense aroma of sweet cinnamon and fresh-baked apples that attracted visitors from near and far.
2,000 pay tribute to Cardinal Keeler September 7, 2007By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News In a sign of deep affection for the man who has served as the fatherly face of the Archdiocese of Baltimore for 18 years, nearly 2,000 people gathered in the Baltimore Convention Center Sept. 6 to honor the long ministry of Cardinal William H. Keeler.
Friars deliver message of love on Baltimore streets August 16, 2007By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Vocations Wearing hooded grey robes cinched at the waist with ropes, nearly a dozen Franciscan Friars of the Renewal marched through the streets of downtown Baltimore Aug. 9 carrying a large crucifix, an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and a papal flag.
Overcoming cancer teaches Westminster pastor lessons on faith August 2, 2007By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News During the many months Monsignor Arthur Valenzano battled leukemia, there was one day the longtime pastor of St. John in Westminster remembers as his absolute worst.
Outsider is force for change: Cumberland Mayor Fiedler honored by archdiocese June 21, 2007By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Western Vicariate In a small Western Maryland town whose residents pride homegrown leadership, Mayor Lee Fiedler knows he is probably one of the unlikeliest persons to hold Cumberland’s top job at City Hall.
Father Bak, ‘pioneer’ in diaconate, dies June 15, 2007By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Obituaries Father Bernard S. Bak, one of the first permanent deacons ordained in the United States who later became a priest for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, died in his Dundalk home June 8. He was 85. A funeral Mass was offered June 11 at St. Casimir in Canton, the parish in which Father Bak grew up and where he served as a deacon after his 1971 ordination. Father Bak also served as a deacon at Christ the King in Dundalk. After his wife of 35 years, Antoinette Stefanowicz, died in 1984, Father Bak petitioned the archdiocese to become a priest. He studied at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Roland Park and was ordained a priest in 1988.
Clarksville parish becoming hub for classical music June 14, 2007By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Local News, News “Down through the centuries the Catholic Church has always been a great patron both of the visual and musical arts,” said Monsignor Luca. “It’s in that spirit we would like to offer these concerts to all the people of our community.”
Former speaker laments ‘divisive’ political climate: Casper Taylor reflects on hard decisions May 31, 2007By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, Maryland General Assembly, News, Western Vicariate Nearly five years after Casper R. Taylor Jr. lost his seat in the House of Delegates and stepped down as Maryland’s longest- serving Speaker of the House of Delegates, the well-known Western Maryland native hasn’t backed away from public policy.
‘Polka capital’ pastor to retire May 24, 2007By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News, Retirement Forty-eight years after Archbishop Francis Keough ordained him to the priesthood, Monsignor Parks is preparing to retire July 1. A farewell liturgy will be celebrated at noon on July 8 at Sacred Heart of Mary, with a reception to follow.
Tuba-toting priest is top brass May 19, 2007By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Western Vicariate When Father Mueller needs to unwind from a long day’s work, music is his refuge. Playing mostly by ear, the priest has enjoyed playing the tuba and piano for many years and he’s now working on sharpening his skills on the clarinet.
