Close to 500 people weathered a steady snowfall the evening of Dec. 9 to participate in the archdiocesan celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. John Church.

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which celebrates the dogma that Mary was preserved from original sin from the moment of her conception, will be celebrated Dec. 8.

For the third year in a row, Archbishop William E. Lori joined the Maryland Knights of Columbus Dec. 5 to distribute coats to children in Baltimore.

Giving time, talents and resources via spiritual and corporal works of mercy offers a way for Catholics to serve while preparing for the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord.

“We’re a little parish choir in Westminster, invited to perform at Carnegie Hall,” said Regina McCurdy, director of liturgical music for the largest parish in Carroll County. “This is a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity.”

The archbishop noted that last year, parishes in the Archdiocese of Baltimore contributed $205,800 to the collection. Nine self-help, poverty-level income groups within the archdiocese received $405,000 in national and local CCHD grants.

“The church in your country seeks to bring not only material assistance but also the spiritual balm of healing, comfort and hope to new waves of migrants and refugees who come knocking on America’s door,” Cardinal Pietro Parolin said.

Well-wishers, volunteers and active military personnel cheered, waved flags and held thank-you signs. Many in a crowd that numbered hundreds deep reached out to shake the hands of beaming military veterans as they came off the airplane from Ohio.

Students from this Catholic School in Baltimore became an international sensation with their performance of “Rise Up.”

St. John the Evangelist School in Long Green Valley and St. Mary Catholic School in Hagerstown received the distinction for the first time. St. Louis School in Clarksville and St. John Regional Catholic School in Frederick were honored for a second time.