Local News

Father Matthew T. Buening looked out on his congregation Nov. 27 as he was concluding Mass at St. Paul in Ellicott City and spoke words he has offered throughout his priesthood.

EPHRATA, Pa. – When Redemptorist Father John Murray bashed his head against a railing after tripping along a New Jersey boardwalk 15 months ago, the consequences were devastating.

Pope Benedict XVI has recognized the stellar ministry of three priests of the Archdiocese of Baltimore by conferring the title “monsignor” on two of them and raising a previously named monsignor to the highest rank of monsignor.

“There’s always been a closeness here,” said Father Orchik, who has led the parish for nearly two decades, “but that’s even more so today. Though it has grown smaller, it has become even more closely united.”