Forget me not: Prison ministry faces challenges of global pandemic March 24, 2020By Junno Arocho Esteves Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, World News As more countries continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the term “lockdown,” normally used to describe confining prisoners to their cells, has taken on a whole new meaning.
Door-to-door evangelization in East Baltimore stopped mid-mission March 23, 2020By Edward O'N. Hoyt Filed Under: Coronavirus, Evangelization, Local News, News As residents looked on in curiosity from their porches and windows in the Joseph Lee/Bayside neighborhood of East Baltimore March 13, a column of color and solemn music split the abandoned streets.
Shortened legislative session yields mixed bag, new dynamic for Maryland Catholic Conference March 23, 2020By Erik Zygmont Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News Taking stock of the Maryland General Assembly’s abbreviated 2020 Legislative Session, Jenny Kraska pointed not to wins and losses but to the novel dynamic imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, which shortened the session.
Catholic school learning continues at home March 23, 2020By Karen Sampson Hoffman Filed Under: #IamCatholic, Coronavirus, Feature, Local News, News, Schools Students across the Archdiocese of Baltimore are adjusting to at-home learning.
Pope announces extraordinary ‘urbi et orbi’ blessing March 27 March 22, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Vatican, World News In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis said he will give an extraordinary blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) at 6 p.m. Rome time March 27.
Vatican issues decree for Holy Week liturgies with pandemic restrictions March 21, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, Lent, News, Vatican, World News “By the mandate of the supreme pontiff for the year 2020 only,” the congregation issued guidelines March 20 for celebrating the Triduum and Easter liturgies without the presence of the faithful.
Coronavirus closures slow offertory collections but not parish costs March 21, 2020By Mary K. Tilghman Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, Giving, Local News, News No Masses during the COVID-19 pandemic could mean several weeks without offertory collections and this has many pastors worried.
Coronavirus restrictions throw plans for weddings, funerals into disarray March 20, 2020By Tim Swift Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, Local News, News From weddings to baptisms to funerals, the coronavirus pandemic and the social distancing precautions that go with it have thrown solemn and celebratory Catholic services into disarray.
Archdiocese’s churches stay connected to parishioners during pandemic March 20, 2020By Mary K. Tilghman Filed Under: #IamCatholic, Coronavirus, Feature, Local News, News While archdiocesan churches are closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, pastors and staff are trying to keep in touch with their parishioners by streaming daily Mass, sending emails or posting online videos.
Stay firm in faith, seek St. Joseph’s intercession, pope says March 19, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, Saints, Vatican, Video, World News In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the daily lives and routines of millions of people have been turned upside down, Pope Francis said, but they must help each other stay firm in faith.
Across Europe, shrines close, following directives for fighting COVID-19 March 19, 2020By Jonathan Luxmoore Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, World News Europe’s Catholic shrines have followed directives for combating the coronavirus by tightly restricting organized events, although some pledged to stay open for Masses and pastoral care.
Westminster priest thinks outside the box as coronavirus closes the confessional March 19, 2020By Tim Swift Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, Local News, News Amid the current coronavirus pandemic that is keeping most people at home and 6 feet apart to prevent the spread of the virus, St. John Church in Westminster has launched a creative solution to deliver the sacrament of reconciliation. Call it curbside confession.