Deacon John ‘Happy Jack’ Martin dedicated life to delivering faith, smiles April 3, 2026By Jay Sorgi Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries Deacon John Martin, who served many years at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Baynesville, died March 25. He was known for his compassion and warmth.
School Sisters of Notre Dame sell Villa Assumpta to Baltimore senior housing nonprofit March 26, 2026By Jay Sorgi Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Consecrated Life, Feature, Local News, News Villa Assumpta, the longtime regional motherhouse for the School Sisters of Notre Dame, will be redeveloped into a nonprofit continuing care community for senior living.
Saint’s relic in Hunt Valley brings comfort to cancer families March 26, 2026By Jay Sorgi Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Saints About 50 pilgrims arrived Feb. 6 for the weekly prayer gathering at the chapel of the Catholic Community of St. Francis Xavier in Hunt Valley, some traveling across state lines. In the presence of a first-order relic of St. Michael of the Saints, a 17th-century Spanish priest and member of the Trinitarians known for his deep devotion to the Eucharist, the names flowed like water.
Deacon Stretmater, father of 11 who ministered at Howard County parish, dies at 101 March 12, 2026By Jay Sorgi Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries The word “presence” defined the way Deacon Daniel Stretmater ministered, living a life to evoke Christ’s presence through everything he did in his 101 years of life, including actively serving for a quarter-century at St. Louis in Clarksville.
‘High-adventure faith’ at retreat center in Emmitsburg February 23, 2026By Jay Sorgi Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Youth Ministry Damascus, an Ohio-based ministry that says it serves more than 50,000 with its camps and missionary outreach, has purchased the Summit Lake Christian Retreat Center in Emmitsburg from a Baptist group, and will operate summer camps for Catholic youths from sixth graders to seniors in high school.
Deacon Jack Ames, Project Rachel volunteer and educator, dies at 74 February 12, 2026By Jay Sorgi Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: deacons, Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries Deacon John “Jack” Ames Jr., who helped the healing pathway of hundreds of people who have endured the post-abortion journey and who served in ministry at St. Agnes in Catonsville, died Feb. 8. He was 74.
One man, three schools: Campus minister promotes Jesuit mission January 27, 2026By Jay Sorgi Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: 2026 Catholic Schools Week, Feature, Local News, News, Schools Mark Dushel has been serving as the first director of Ignatian Mission and Formation for three city institutions at once: Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, the Loyola School (for preschool through elementary school) and St. Ignatius Loyola Academy (for middle schoolers). The collaborative role was created to strengthen Jesuit identity across the full spectrum of childhood and adolescent education.
God’s grace overcomes our imperfections – and the Colts reflected it in 1971 January 15, 2026By Jay Sorgi Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Commentary, Sports God shows us that our imperfections can become fields of second chances – moments when perseverance, mercy and shared burden accomplish what perfection never could.
St. Carlo Acutis statues unveiled in Harford County parishes January 14, 2026By Jay Sorgi Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Knights of Columbus, Local News, News, Saints Pope Leo XIV canonized both St. Carlo and St. Pier Giorgio Frassati Sept. 7. St. Carlo died at 15 years old in 2006 after battling leukemia. He became known as the first saint of the digital age, using the internet to share stories of eucharistic miracles around the world.
New Emmitsburg school chapel honors son who overcame cancer December 9, 2025By Jay Sorgi Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools In the shadow of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, a new chapel at Mother Seton Catholic School in Emmitsburg tells a story of faith, resilience and a mother’s enduring love.
‘Makes you feel like God is here’: Archbishop Lori dedicates renovated O’Dwyer Retreat Center Chapel November 25, 2025By Jay Sorgi Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News The true spiritual center of the Monsignor O’Dwyer Retreat Center in Sparks has been reconstructed in a way that better leads retreatants to encounter a central part of the Catholic experience: Jesus in the Eucharist.
Maryland Catholics renew Appalachian mission October 29, 2025By Jay Sorgi Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Environment, Feature, Local News, News, Social Justice, Western Vicariate More than 100 Catholics from across Appalachia, including many from Baltimore to Mountain Maryland, gathered in Pittsburgh Oct. 25 for “Conversations in the Spirit.”
