Tim Swift

Tim Swift is a former social media coordinator for the Catholic Review and the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Covering everything from pop culture to politics to religion to errant alligators, Tim has worked as a reporter and editor for The Baltimore Sun, BBC News and Local 10 News in South Florida. A native of Philadelphia, Tim grew up attending Catholic schools and got his start in journalism as the editor of The Prelate, Cardinal Dougherty High School's student newspaper. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Penn State. After a few years away, Tim is glad to be back in his adopted hometown of Baltimore.

Sister Mary Reginald Gerdes, champion of St. Frances Academy, Johnston Square, dies at 88

September 15, 2020
By Tim Swift
Catholic Review Filed Under: Black Catholic Ministry, Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries, Racial Justice, Schools

Oblate Sister of Providence Mary Reginald Gerdes, a tireless and fearless advocate of St. Frances Academy and the surrounding Baltimore neighborhood of Johnston Square, died Sept. 7 at her religious community’s motherhouse in Arbutus

Paycheck Protection Program ‘helped bridge the gap’ allowing parishes to adapt, employees say

September 3, 2020
By Tim Swift
Catholic Review Filed Under: #IamCatholic, Coronavirus, Feature, Local News

Many employees of the archdiocese credited the federal Paycheck Protection Program with helping parishes – many of which were already struggling financially – weather the first weeks of the coronavirus pandemic.

Archbishop Lori calls on teachers to meet challenge of schooling amid pandemic

August 27, 2020
By Tim Swift
Catholic Review Filed Under: #IamCatholic, Coronavirus, Feature, Local News, News, Schools

In a sparsely attended convocation Mass because of the coronavirus pandemic, Baltimore Archbishop William Lori officially opened a new school year amid “extraordinary circumstances” at the Church of the Nativity in Timonium Aug. 27.

Maryland bishops mark 100 years of women’s suffrage with a call to action

August 26, 2020
By Tim Swift
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News

To mark the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in the U.S., the Maryland-serving bishops of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the Archdiocese of Washington and the Diocese of Wilmington are celebrating the pioneering women who fought for the right to vote, but they also acknowledge even a century later more work needs to be done to ensure equality for women.

Monsignor Paul Byrnes, ‘super pastor’ to Western Maryland, dies at 84

August 21, 2020
By Tim Swift
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries, Western Vicariate

Monsignor Paul Byrnes, who was known for years as the “super pastor” of Western Maryland, died Aug. 19 at his home along Deep Creek Lake. He was 84.

Sister Marie Cecilia Irwin, longtime head of St. Joseph Hospital, dies at 89

August 19, 2020
By Tim Swift
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries

Franciscan Sister Marie Cecilia Irwin, who for nearly two decades led what is now the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson, died Aug. 17 at Assisi House in Aston, Pa., the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. She was 89. Known for her warm bedside manner and dedication to […]

Baltimore parish spearheads ongoing racial justice rallies

August 8, 2020
By Tim Swift
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Racial Justice, Urban Vicariate

“People say, ‘Well, you know, all lives matter.’ All lives do matter, but all lives will really matter when Black lives matter,” Father Muth said. “We need to be able to keep this up because it’s been such a long time of Black lives not mattering in a lot of different ways.”

Baltimore’s toppled Columbus statue may return, but at more secure location

July 20, 2020
By Tim Swift
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Knights of Columbus, Local News, News, Urban Vicariate

Weeks after protesters toppled a statue of Christopher Columbus and threw it into the Inner Harbor, members of Baltimore’s Italian-American community are developing a plan to reproduce the marble monument so it can be displayed in a more secure location.

A Baltimore landmark, Women’s Industrial Exchange, will live on with Marian House

June 25, 2020
By Tim Swift
Filed Under: #IamCatholic, Local News, News, Urban Vicariate

Marian House will hold virtual meetings with its new Mount Vernon neighbors to generate ideas on how to use the historic building.

Baltimore parishioners overjoyed as they keep a pastor and gain a bishop

June 13, 2020
By Tim Swift
Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, Hispanic Ministry, Local News, News

Come August, he’ll have gained the title “His Excellency,” but for the parishioners of Sacred Heart of Jesus-Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in Highalndtown and its mission church of St. Patrick in Fells Point, he’ll remain and always be “Padre Bruce.”

Highlandtown pastor urges more COVID-19 testing sites in hard-hit Latino and African American communities

June 10, 2020
By Tim Swift
Filed Under: Bishop Lewandowski, Coronavirus, Feature, Hispanic Ministry, Local News, News

Bishop-designate Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., appealed to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Jr. June 10 to increase free COVID-19 testing in Baltimore to expand beyond his parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus/Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in Highlandtown.

Baltimore faith leaders call for peace and unity

June 4, 2020
By Tim Swift
Filed Under: Archbishop's Ministry, Local News, News, Racial Justice, Video

Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori joined faith leaders from across the city June 3 to pray for peace and healing after more than a week of nationwide protests and unrest in response to the death of George Floyd at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers.