commeNTARY BlogJournalismThe Narthex Remembering a friend George P. Matysek Jr.October 17, 20135 min read Chris was one of my greatest mentors. I learned more from reading his eloquent prose and sitting next to him at the Catholic Review than I did in any writing course. More than that, he became a friend. AmenAmen Matysek CommentaryCommentary Of haberdasheries and ‘Death Dust’ George P. Matysek Jr.August 15, 20133 min read For years, a tattered and taped copy of the Aug. 30, 1902, issue of The Catholic Mirror has jockeyed for attention on my sometimes-cluttered desk at the Catholic Review. AmenAmen Matysek CommentaryCommentary This Priest Appreciation Day, thank priests who change lives George P. Matysek Jr.May 29, 20133 min read Father Dale Picarella had just finished greeting a mob of parishioners at the end of Mass when I approached him in the sacristy with a special request. Would he visit my mother at Bayview Medical Center in East Baltimore as she was recovering from cancer surgery? BlogOpen Window St. Joseph’s Feast Day: A novena a day keeps the job search at bay Rita BuettnerMarch 19, 20133 min read When John and I met, we had jobs that were more than 100 miles—and a two-hour drive—apart. So after we became engaged, we both started job hunting.A friend or family member must have mentioned that St. Joseph was the patron of workers, so I began saying a daily novena to AmenAmen Matysek CommentaryCommentary Pope Benedict XVI offers lesson in humility George P. Matysek Jr.February 21, 20133 min read The goodness and humility witnessed by the future Baltimore archbishop were on display for all the world Feb. 11 when Pope Benedict XVI quietly announced in Latin that he would step down due to his advanced age and lack of stamina. BlogOpen Window A Valentine’s Day proposal that was—and wasn’t—a surprise Rita BuettnerFebruary 14, 20133 min read When I say I knew John was going to propose, I’m not boasting about my great detective work.I mean I knew.We had met with Fr. Lawrence Adamczyk that morning about celebrating our wedding.We had reserved the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen and booked the reception site.And John had made reservations AmenAmen Matysek CommentaryCommentaryRespect Life Amen: Telling questions for pregnant women George P. Matysek Jr.January 10, 20133 min read My brother was in line at a local supermarket when he observed a young woman strike up a conversation with an apparent longtime friend. Showing off her slightly protruding belly, the younger woman announced that she was pregnant. AmenAmen Matysek CommentaryCommentary ‘I have connections in heaven’ George P. Matysek Jr.August 30, 20123 min read Mercy Sister Lois Mueller was a bundle of energy when I first met her at The Villa retirement home in Baltimore three years ago. I was visiting for a story I was writing about how retired nuns kept in shape by playing bowling and other Nintendo Wii video games donated by students of St. Joseph School in Cockeysville. AmenAmen Matysek CommentaryBlogCommentary Clarity in Rome confessional George P. Matysek Jr.February 23, 20123 min read The Scala Sancta, “Holy Stairs,” are believed to be the passageway Jesus walked on his way to face Pontius Pilate before the crucifixion. St. Helena, mother of Constantine, brought the staircase to the Eternal City from the Holy Land in the middle of the 4th century. CommentaryNewsWit & Wisdom Father Janaites carried burdens for others Father Joseph BreighnerJanuary 19, 20123 min read Since the strokes in my eyes in 2002, I’ve found that tears come pretty easily. However, I needed no such excuse when I first heard that Father Stan Janaites had died on Aug. 5. I cried again as I stood at his coffin in St. Joseph’s Church in Sykesville. Previous 1 … 230 231 232 … 234 Next