Ground broken for Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden January 19, 2012By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Baltimore Basilica, Local News, News For someone who relished the great outdoors, the late Pope John Paul II would certainly be pleased with the outdoor prayer garden that is being carved out of the corner of Charles and Franklin streets in downtown Baltimore.
St. Peter picnic is a hit in Western Maryland January 19, 2012By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News, Western Vicariate MCHENRY – Tightly holding a large waterlogged sponge in his fist, 9-year-old Isaac Fike wound up like Orioles pitcher Erik Bedard and launched the soggy missile towards its target. As other children squealed with delight, Isaac hit his mark on his first try – smack in the face of Father Donald Parson, pastor of St. Peter the Apostle in Oakland. “If you want to go to heaven you’ll stop it,” shouted a smiling Father Parson, his soaked face poking through a cutout hole in a plywood angel figure topped with a halo. Father Michael Triplett, a newly ordained priest recently assigned to the parishes of Western Maryland, quickly jumped to Isaac’s defense.
Gov. O’Malley calls for up or down vote on death penalty January 19, 2012By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Local News, News Calling the death penalty “an expensive and utterly ineffective tool in deterring violent crime,” Gov. Martin J. O’Malley implored members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee to allow his proposed capital punishment ban to reach the floor for a vote by the full legislative body.
Pope John Paul II prayer garden will be center of prayer January 19, 2012By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Baltimore Basilica, Local News, News A bustling section of downtown Baltimore is about to get a quiet spot for reflection and meditation when Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien breaks ground April 11 for the long-awaited Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden.
Cumberland outreach helps clothe children January 19, 2012By Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News CUMBERLAND – Standing next to piles of neatly folded children’s shirts and dainty toddler’s dresses hanging overhead on hangers, Ellie Mantheiy was pleased with the quantity and quality of the apparel. “It’s mostly used clothing donated by parishioners,” said Ms. Mantheiy, coordinator of the children’s clothing outreach program at St. Mary, Cumberland. “Some of it is brand new. Our parishioners are very generous.” The outreach program started about three years ago to help struggling parents throughout the community clothe their children. The church accepts donations of pants, shirts, dresses, jackets and more which are then distributed free of charge to anyone who needs them.
Sykesville mom prays for son’s cure of rare disease January 19, 2012By Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News Aimee Murray can deal with carrying her 31-pound, 4-year-old son. She can handle putting a 1.5-inch feeding tube into a hole in his belly and inflating a small balloon inside his abdomen to keep it in place. She can even endure exhausting hours of constantly checking on her boy to monitor his breathing and comfort him when he has muscle spasms.
Basilica Place residents contribute to the less fortunate January 19, 2012By Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News As a resident on a limited income at Catholic Charities’ Basilica Place Apartments Senior Housing facility in Baltimore, 73-year-old Herb Johnson doesn’t have a lot of change to spare.
Inaugural meal at new Our Daily Bread served with little fuss January 19, 2012By Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News The location was new, but the crowd was familiar as Catholic Charities served its first meal to the poor and homeless at its new Our Daily Bread Employment Center June 4. Before the dining room opened at 10:30 a.m., 18 people who normally eat at Baltimore’s largest soup kitchen registered for employment training.
Father Peyton cause for sainthood opens in Baltimore January 19, 2012By Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien was to preside over the opening session of the cause for sainthood of Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton during the 12:10 p.m. Mass Nov. 20 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore.
St. Cecilia parishioner to be honored for AIDS work January 19, 2012By Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News A Baltimore Catholic parishioner and an Owings Mills Jewish cantor will be honored by the Steven Kaufman AIDS Outreach Project April 10 during an interfaith Seder tribute to those touched by HIV.
Father Murphy new chaplain at Towson University January 19, 2012By Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News After three years at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Middle River, Father T. Austin Murphy will be leaving July 1 to become the new chaplain of the Newman Center at Towson University. “As a priest you don’t forget your first parish,” said Father Murphy, 34, who is a graduate of University of Maryland Baltimore County. “I know I will leave with their prayers.” Father Murphy said he has truly enjoyed working with the elementary and high school students and helping with the sacraments.
Catholic Center takes measures to protect environment January 19, 2012By Catholic Review Filed Under: Environment, Local News, News Kermit the Frog once sang “It’s not easy being green.” The leaders at the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s downtown headquarters beg to differ, however.