Sister Mary Gess Kirby, R.S.M., former Mercy High School counselor, dies at 92 April 5, 2026By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Obituaries A funeral Mass for Religious Sister of Mercy Mary Gess Kirby will be offered April 11 at 11 a.m. at Mercy Medical Center’s McAuley Chapel in Baltimore. Sister Gess died March 27. She was 92 and had been a Sister of Mercy for 68 years.
Deacon John ‘Happy Jack’ Martin dedicated life to delivering faith, smiles April 3, 2026By Jay Sorgi Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries Deacon John Martin, who served many years at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Baynesville, died March 25. He was known for his compassion and warmth.
Father Frank Brauer remembered as quiet yet fun priest dedicated to parishioners April 2, 2026By Katie V. Jones Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries That commitment to fostering community, even in challenging circumstances, defined Father Frank Brauer’s priesthood. He died March 30 in Florida after a short time in hospice care. He was 79.
Sister Mary Sheehan, D.C., dies at 86 April 2, 2026By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Obituaries A funeral Mass for Daughter of Charity Sister Mary (Mary Helena) Sheehan was offered March 27 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg. Sister Mary died March 22. She was 86.
Bishop Murphy of Rockville Centre recalled for ‘joyful witness’ of pastoral leadership March 31, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, News, Obituaries, World News The “faithful service” of retired Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, who died March 26 at age 85, “leaves a lasting legacy on Long Island and throughout the universal Church,” said Bishop John O. Barres, the diocese’s current shepherd.
Sister Kathleen Haughey, S.N.D.de.N., dies at 94 March 24, 2026By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries A funeral Mass for Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Kathleen Patricia Haughey was offered March 3 at Our Lady Queen Chapel in Ipswich, Mass. Sister Kathleen died Feb. 22. She was 94.
A life well-coached: Lou Holtz remembered for faith, family and football March 17, 2026By John Knebels OSV News Filed Under: News, Obituaries, Sports, World News One by one, inside the University of Notre Dame’s Basilica of the Sacred Heart March 16, a flock of priests gently patted the pall atop the casket as they descended from the altar following the funeral Mass for legendary football coach Lou Holtz.
Father Norvel, first Black superior general for U.S. men’s religious community, dies at 90 March 12, 2026By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Black Catholic Ministry, Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries Josephite Father William Norvel, a forceful voice for Black Catholic identity who spent more than six decades challenging the institutional church to live up to its claim of being universal, died March 8. He was 90.
Deacon Stretmater, father of 11 who ministered at Howard County parish, dies at 101 March 12, 2026By Jay Sorgi Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries The word “presence” defined the way Deacon Daniel Stretmater ministered, living a life to evoke Christ’s presence through everything he did in his 101 years of life, including actively serving for a quarter-century at St. Louis in Clarksville.
Beloved Notre Dame coaching legend Lou Holtz remembered for ‘building men, not just players’ March 5, 2026By Eric Peat Today's Catholic Filed Under: News, Obituaries, Sports, World News On March 4, Lou Holtz died in Orlando, Fla., at the age of 89, surrounded by his family. Forever etched in Fighting Irish lore for leading Notre Dame to the 1988 National Championship, Holtz leaves behind not just a decorated football resume but a legacy of shaping young men and inspiring people to live virtuously.
Prolific catechist Paul Thigpen, who mused on extraterrestrial life, dies at 71 February 26, 2026By Maria Wiering OSV News Filed Under: Journalism, News, Obituaries, World News Catholic theologian and prolific writer Thomas “Paul” Thigpen died Feb. 24 at the age of 71. A resident of Kennesaw, Georgia, he wrote more than 60 books and hundreds of articles on religion and faith.
Jesuit Father Anthony Berret, distinguished English professor, dies at 86 February 19, 2026By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Obituaries A funeral Mass will be offered Feb. 24 for Jesuit Father Anthony J. Berret at 10:30 a.m. at St. Matthias Church in Bala Cynwyd, Pa. Father Berret, a former professor at what is now Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, died Feb. 17 at the St. Claude La Colombiere Jesuit Community in Baltimore.
