Founding pastor of Frederick parish to retire July 1, 2024By Emily Rosenthal Alster Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Retirement, Vocations, Western Vicariate The legacy of Father Keith Boisvert is tangible, especially on the site of an old farm in Frederick County. After 45 years in the priesthood, Father Boisvert, the founding pastor of St. Katharine Drexel in Frederick, will retire in July 2024.
Students bid fond farewell to Hagerstown school May 24, 2024By Katie V. Jones Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools, Western Vicariate The Archdiocese of Baltimore announced in September that St. Maria Goretti High School in Hagerstown would be closing. An independent committee organized by school supporters investigated keeping the school open as an independent Catholic school, but it concluded in November that it was not feasible, and the decision was made to close.
Latin Mass to have permanent home at St. Alphonsus; will end at Hagerstown parish in August May 17, 2024By Christopher Gunty Catholic Review Filed Under: Divine Worship, Feature, Local News, News, Western Vicariate, Worship & Sacraments The celebration of the Mass in the extraordinary form (also known as the Traditional Latin Mass) in the Archdiocese of Baltimore will be entrusted solely to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, effective Aug. 1.
Parishioners gather in Hagerstown for Synod of Bishops’ Interim Stage Consultations March 21, 2024By Kyle J. Andrews Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Synodality, Western Vicariate Carrie Stumpf meticulously wrote notes as a group of parishioners from parishes across Western Maryland and bordering Frederick County spoke at a circular table in St. Joseph Catholic Church’s auditorium March 12. She was among a group of people who met at the Hagerstown parish for the Interim Stage Diocesan Consultations, as a part of the XVI General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. The goal of the synod is to bring dialogue from clergy, religious and laity to pray, ascertain, communicate and hear each other out.
Radio Interview: Becoming thankful and grateful people November 20, 2023By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Black Catholic Ministry, Feature, Local News, News, Radio Interview, Western Vicariate Lara Schumacher and Father Collin Poston share their insights and stories of growing in gratitude in light of the month of November and the celebration of Thanksgiving. Schumacher is director of faith formation, evangelization of youth and the family at St. Ignatius of Loyola in Ijamsville. Father Poston is pastor of St. Bartholomew in Manchester.
Slain Maryland judge honored at Catholic parish in Hagerstown October 27, 2023By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, Local News, News, Western Vicariate About 700 people, including 120 judges from Maryland and other states, attended the funeral rites at St. Ann Parish in Hagerstown. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and other civic leaders were present.
New artwork honors hero of Cumberland September 26, 2023By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Feature, Local News, News, Saints, Western Vicariate It took Scott a full year to design and sculpt the nearly three-foot statue of Blessed Seelos, which was erected in March at the Shrine of Ss. Peter in Paul. Blessed Seelos walked the very grounds where his likeness now stands, when he served as pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul and prefect of students at a Redemptorist seminary in Cumberland from 1857 to 1862.
St. Maria Goretti High School faces uncertain future after difficult decision by archdiocese September 21, 2023By Christopher Gunty Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools, Western Vicariate The Archdiocese of Baltimore announced Sept. 21 that it can no longer bridge the gap for operations and will cease providing funds to St. Maria Goretti Regional Catholic High School in Hagerstown at the end of the current academic year.
Perfect harmony: Music internship program helps parishes in Western Maryland September 20, 2023By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Divine Worship, Feature, Local News, News, Western Vicariate Music interns from Frostburg State University are helping to bring new life to liturgies at Divine Mercy Parish in Western Maryland.
Frederick parish marks 260th anniversary with blessing of ‘new’ windows September 11, 2023By Christopher Gunty Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Western Vicariate A capacity congregation filled St. John the Evangelist Church here Sept. 10 to mark not only the 260th anniversary of the oldest parish in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, but to celebrate the blessing of newly installed stained-glass windows depicting scenes from Scripture.
Fishy business: Aquaponics lab yields big results at Bishop Walsh September 6, 2023By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools, Western Vicariate Now in its second year, the aquaponics lab at Bishop Walsh School helps students learn science in what school leaders said is a fun and dynamic way.
Filling the food gap: Cumberland food pantry steps up to meet need September 6, 2023By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Western Vicariate In June, St. Anthony Place served 331 people, a 40 percent increase from the same month a year earlier. In July, the pantry served 339 people, also a 40 percent increase from last year.
