A prayer for Father Joe Breighner July 14, 2023By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Commentary, Feature, The Narthex How do you come up with thousands of column ideas over the course of half a century even as you are devoting your life to so many other ministries – including an immensely popular radio show that reached audiences across the country?
No place like Bill’s Place in Western Maryland July 11, 2023By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Western Vicariate A priest walking into a bar is no joke at Bill’s Place, a remote, log-cabin hangout right in the heart of Western Maryland’s 49,000-acre Green Ridge State Forest.
Knights of Columbus council awards five endowed scholarships July 6, 2023By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Knights of Columbus, Local News, News, Schools Five Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore are establishing new endowed scholarships thanks to a $250,000 donation from the Knights of Columbus Notre Dame Council 2901.
Historic Cumberland shrine celebrates 175 years June 29, 2023By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Parish Anniversary 2023, Western Vicariate The Shrine of Ss. Peter and Paul is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year. For many in Western Maryland, the historic church is a hallowed place of prayer that serves as a physical link to Cumberland’s Catholic past.
Father Edward Hendricks, trailblazer in pastoral planning, will remain in Western Maryland for retirement June 28, 2023By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Retirement, Vocations, Western Vicariate “It’s so rewarding that people let you into their lives at these key moments – the birth of a child, marriage, illness or death – and it’s the role of the priest to be thankful for that invitation and to walk with them in their journey as far as they want us to walk with them and to recognize we’re probably going to get more out of it than we give,” he said.
Las Hermanas Pobres de Jesucristo llevan amor a calles conflictivas June 22, 2023By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: En Español Asomándose por debajo de una lona color canela mientras estaba sentada en el callejón junto a la Basílica del Santuario Nacional de la Asunción de la Santísima Virgen María en el centro de Baltimore, una anciana observaba a tres jóvenes monjas que caminaban cerca.
Deacon Koski looks forward to being ‘instrument of God’s mercy’ June 19, 2023By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, New Priests 2023, News, Vocations Deacon Koski, the eldest of four siblings, grew up in several parishes. He was baptized at St. Thomas More in Baltimore, received his first Communion at St. Joseph in Fullerton and was confirmed at St. Isaac Jogues in Carney.
Deadline approaching to apply for BOOST scholarships June 8, 2023By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, Maryland Catholic Conference, News, Schools Families interested in receiving nonpublic school tuition support from the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship Program have until June 30 to apply.
Sisters Poor of Jesus Christ bring love to troubled streets June 7, 2023By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Baltimore Basilica, Consecrated Life, Feature, Local News, News, Vocations The Archdiocese of Baltimore recently welcomed a new international community of religious sisters who are boldly bringing Christ’s presence to people who need it most.
‘God’s Scribe’: Father Breighner retires popular column after more than 50 years June 2, 2023By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Journalism, Local News, News After more than 50 years of writing for the Catholic Review, Father Breighner is putting down his pen.
Abuse survivor reflects on John Merzbacher’s death May 15, 2023By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: 2023 Attorney General's Report, Child & Youth Protection, Feature, Local News, News “And I get no pleasure from his death because I wish none of it had happened,” Elizabeth Ann Murphy said. “It still doesn’t restore my childhood.”
Believe us: Survivors express anger, hope following release of attorney general’s report May 1, 2023By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: 2023 Attorney General's Report, Child & Youth Protection, Feature, Local News, News Murphy said there is a “simple” answer as to how the church found itself enmeshed in the abuse crisis. “It’s because church leadership put power, prestige and possessions above the lives of the children entrusted to their care,” she said.