First African-American priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Father Donald Sterling, set for retirement December 26, 2022By Paul McMullen Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Retirement Ordained in 1974 as the first African-American priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Father Donald Sterling has served as pastor of New All Saints in Liberty Heights since 1992.
Monsignor Farmer will remain active in pro-life movement after retirement June 30, 2022By Matthew Liptak Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Retirement, Vocations Monsignor James P. Farmer, who has served as pastor of several parishes and who has been a tireless advocate for the rights of the unborn throughout his priesthood, will retire soon, but doesn’t plan to slow down too much.
Father Roach, noted church historian and longtime pastor, will stay active in retirement June 30, 2022By Mary K. Tilghman Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Retirement, Vocations Father Michael Roach’s life could best be summed up by one of his favorite quotations, by St. Clement of Alexandria: “All life is a holy festival.”
Father Simmons retiring as the oldest active priest in the archdiocese June 30, 2022By Gerry Jackson Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Retirement, Vocations During his time at Holy Spirit, Father Joseph Simmons oversaw the building of a new church (dedicated in 1988) and the construction of a $1.9 million parish center after a fire destroyed the original one Dec. 16, 2009.
Monsignor Cummings, former Navy chaplain and longtime pastor, ready for retirement June 30, 2022By Mary K. Tilghman Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Retirement, Vocations As he prepares for retirement, Monsignor Carl Cummings said he has been gratified to help people join the Catholic faith – or return to it in the sacrament of penance.
Father Ruane, known for empowering laity, retiring as pastor of Howard County parish June 30, 2022By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Retirement, Vocations “I’ve never wanted to be anything else but a parish priest,” said Father Ruane, 78. “I’ve enjoyed being with people during significant transitions in their lives – mostly through administering the sacraments, visiting the sick, preaching and teaching.”
In Baltimore, Father Kim helped create America’s first official Korean parish July 13, 2021By Matthew Liptak Catholic Review Filed Under: #IamCatholic, Feature, Local News, News, Retirement, Urban Vicariate Father Kim, 74, retired July 1 and celebrated his last Mass at Holy Korean Martyrs on the Fourth of July weekend, when he formally said goodbye to the congregation of about 400 families where he had been the only pastor.
Approaching retirement, Monsignor Luca leaves monumental legacy of parish expansion and pastoral sensitivity May 27, 2021By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: #IamCatholic, Feature, Local News, News, Retirement, Western Vicariate “Monumental” is an apt description of Monsignor Joseph L. Luca’s accomplishments at St. Louis Parish in Clarksville.
As he prepares to retire, Father Muth says welcoming is a hallmark of St. Matthew Parish May 26, 2021By Christopher Gunty Catholic Review Filed Under: #IamCatholic, Feature, Local News, News, Retirement Since his ordination as a priest in 1974, Father Joe Muth said his favorite part of parish ministry has been “suddenly and intimately” connected with people’s lives.
Soul physician: As retirement nears, daily Mass remains a constant for Father Whatley May 25, 2021By Erik Zygmont Catholic Review Filed Under: #IamCatholic, Feature, Local News, News, Retirement Father Whatley loves the Mass. It captivates him. “How can transforming the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ be boring?” he said. “It’s boring because you haven’t taken the time to ponder what’s going on there.”
‘Everyone counts’ to Monsignor Burke, retiring after 62 years as priest of Baltimore Archdiocese May 24, 2021By Paul McMullen Catholic Review Filed Under: #IamCatholic, Feature, Local News, News, Retirement The second half of his life has been devoted to not just leading a parish strong enough to support a thriving K-8 school during an era in which most city parishes closed theirs, but recruiting fellow priests and laypeople to share in the cause of empowering the downtrodden.
Father Orchik requested assignment in city, came to ‘love’ Baltimore May 21, 2021By Paul McMullen Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Retirement “Baltimore is a real down-to-earth town and it just suits me, suits my personality,” Father Orchik said.