Catholic Review Column: After Charleston, Still Much Work to Be Done June 25, 2015By Archbishop William E. Lori Filed Under: Charity in Truth, Commentary “Racism is an evil which endures in our society and in our Church.” These words were included in the 1979 pastoral letter of the U.S. Catholic bishops, “Brothers and Sisters to Us.” Sadly, they remain relevant and true some 36 years later. In that letter, the U.S. bishops named racial prejudice as a grave sin […]
Awash in hope October 9, 2014By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Amen Matysek Commentary, Commentary, Sports If you want to meet some of the most passionate and quirky fans in baseball, come to Section 336 in the upper deck of Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
20 ways to support loved ones as they grieve the loss of a baby June 17, 2014By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window When people lose infants during pregnancy or shortly after birth, no one seems to know how to respond to the couple’s grief while also celebrating the baby’s life. Here are a few ideas.
Amen: Dying doing what you love June 17, 2014By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Amen, Amen Matysek Commentary, Commentary In attempting his 20th crossing June 8, my cousin began having problems about a mile into the swim. Rescuers could not revive him, and he died at age 58. He leaves behind a wife of 31 years.
Babe Ruth’s diamond February 12, 2014By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Amen, Amen Matysek Commentary, Commentary One hundred years ago on St. Valentine’s Day, George Herman “Babe” Ruth Jr. began his meteoric rise in professional baseball when he signed a contract with the minor league Baltimore Orioles.
Of haberdasheries and ‘Death Dust’ August 15, 2013By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Amen, Amen Matysek Commentary, Commentary For years, a tattered and taped copy of the Aug. 30, 1902, issue of The Catholic Mirror has jockeyed for attention on my sometimes-cluttered desk at the Catholic Review.
This Priest Appreciation Day, thank priests who change lives May 29, 2013By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Amen, Amen Matysek Commentary, Commentary Father Dale Picarella had just finished greeting a mob of parishioners at the end of Mass when I approached him in the sacristy with a special request. Would he visit my mother at Bayview Medical Center in East Baltimore as she was recovering from cancer surgery?
Pope Benedict XVI offers lesson in humility February 21, 2013By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Amen, Amen Matysek Commentary, Commentary The goodness and humility witnessed by the future Baltimore archbishop were on display for all the world Feb. 11 when Pope Benedict XVI quietly announced in Latin that he would step down due to his advanced age and lack of stamina.
Amen: Telling questions for pregnant women January 10, 2013By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Amen, Amen Matysek Commentary, Commentary, Respect Life My brother was in line at a local supermarket when he observed a young woman strike up a conversation with an apparent longtime friend. Showing off her slightly protruding belly, the younger woman announced that she was pregnant.
‘I have connections in heaven’ August 30, 2012By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Amen, Amen Matysek Commentary, Commentary Mercy Sister Lois Mueller was a bundle of energy when I first met her at The Villa retirement home in Baltimore three years ago. I was visiting for a story I was writing about how retired nuns kept in shape by playing bowling and other Nintendo Wii video games donated by students of St. Joseph School in Cockeysville.
Clarity in Rome confessional February 23, 2012By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Amen, Amen Matysek Commentary, Blog, Commentary The Scala Sancta, “Holy Stairs,” are believed to be the passageway Jesus walked on his way to face Pontius Pilate before the crucifixion. St. Helena, mother of Constantine, brought the staircase to the Eternal City from the Holy Land in the middle of the 4th century.
Father Janaites carried burdens for others January 19, 2012By Father Joseph Breighner Filed Under: Commentary, News, Wit & Wisdom Since the strokes in my eyes in 2002, I’ve found that tears come pretty easily. However, I needed no such excuse when I first heard that Father Stan Janaites had died on Aug. 5. I cried again as I stood at his coffin in St. Joseph’s Church in Sykesville.