Catherine Gietka, foundation president and mother of $183 million lottery winner, dies July 21, 2026By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries Catherine “Kate” Gietka, who as president of her family’s charitable foundation helped direct nearly $2 million in grants to local parishes, pro-life causes and other nonprofit groups after her daughter won a $183 million lottery jackpot, died July 17.
New book fills in gaps of history of Mount St. Mary’s July 20, 2026By Katie V. Jones Catholic Review Filed Under: Books, Colleges, Feature, Local News, News, Western Vicariate For a university founded in 1808, Emmitsburg’s Mount St. Mary’s University has surprisingly few books telling its story. That bothered alumnus John Singleton, Class of 1986, enough that he wrote one himself.
St. Katharine Drexel parishioners close the school year with a gift to eliminate public school lunch debt July 20, 2026By Rita Buettner Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Western Vicariate Feeding the hungry has become an important part of the outreach at St. Katharine Drexel in Frederick. The parish is especially focused on making sure students at Yellow Springs Elementary, which is nearby, have food to eat on the weekend.
Radio Interview: Archbishop Lori and Cardinal Dolan discuss Catholics in civic life July 20, 2026By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: America's 250th anniversary, CR Radio, Feature, Local News, News, Radio Interview With the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Archbishop William E. Lori is inviting Catholics and all people of goodwill to reflect on the relationship between faith, civic life and the common good. In this episode of Catholic Review Radio, we share excerpts from the first installment of Archbishop Lori’s new In Charity and Truth podcast series, inspired by his pastoral letter, In Charity and Truth: Toward a Renewed Political Culture.
‘Hillbilly Thomists’ set to perform at Ss. Philip and James July 17, 2026By Katie V. Jones Catholic Review Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Feature, Local News, News It will mark the first time the bluegrass/folk band, made up entirely of Dominican friars, performs in Baltimore. Among their featured songs will be “New City,” which has a reference to the city, Father Bolger said.
Sister Kathleen Marie Engers, beloved founder of Baltimore’s Pumpkin Theater, dies at 101 July 16, 2026By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Colleges, Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries School Sister of Notre Dame Kathleen Marie Engers, whose Pumpkin Theater introduced generations of Baltimore-area children to the performing arts, died June 10 at age 101. A longtime Notre Dame of Maryland professor, she viewed the theater as a ministry that inspired a lifelong love of the arts.
Archdiocese of Baltimore will host fourth annual gun buyback July 16, 2026By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, Local News, News The Archdiocese of Baltimore will host its annual gun buyback event Aug. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Westside Shopping Center, 2413 Frederick Ave., Baltimore.
A quiet vigil with Jesus July 16, 2026By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Eucharist, Feature, Local News, News In the quiet hours before dawn, while most Marylanders slept, Janine Sterner kept watch in perpetual adoration at Immaculate Conception in Towson. Her story reflects the enduring devotion of those who answer the call to pray before the Blessed Sacrament.
Capuchin Franciscan Father William Graham remembered for pastoral presence to those seeking annulments July 15, 2026By Katie V. Jones Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries After arriving in Baltimore and taking residence at St. Ambrose Friary in Park Heights, Father Graham was appointed interim judicial vicar for the Tribunal of the Province of Baltimore. His responsibilities included overseeing annulments and causes for sainthood, and he also served as the archbishop’s delegate for marriage dispensations and marriage delegation.
Howard County parish explores patriotism’s Catholic roots for America’s 250th July 14, 2026By Carole Norris Greene Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: America's 250th anniversary, Feature, Local News A nearly full audience filled St. Louis Church’s social hall in Clarksville July 9 to hear Matthew Spalding, dean of Hillsdale College’s Graduate School of Government, make a case for falling back in love with America through its founding document.
Father Joseph Wenderoth, a leader in correctional ministry, dies at 90 July 14, 2026By Samantha Smith Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries, Prison Ministry Father Joseph R. Wenderoth, who devoted most of his priesthood to ministering to incarcerated persons, died July 5. He was 90.
The drive that saved his life: Father J. Collin Poston returns to Carroll County parish after brush with death July 14, 2026By Jenna Mattern Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Health Care, Local News, News, Western Vicariate Father Poston spent two weeks in the hospital, receiving the anointing of the sick multiple times and welcoming visits from friends, family, parishioners, fellow priests and his Pomeranian, Otto. He described the experience as deeply spiritual.
