local news
Sister Agnese Neumann dies at 96
A funeral Mass for Religious Sister of Mercy Agnese Neumann will be offered at 11 a.m. on Aug. 11 at St. Joseph in Cockeysville. Sister Agnese died Aug. 2. She was 96.
Maryland Catholic Conference pleads for peace on 80th Anniversary of atomic bombings
The Maryland Catholic Conference issued a statement Aug. 6 asking for a renewed commitment to worldwide peace on the 80th anniversary of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that helped lead to the end of World War II.
Father Donio receives Knights’ highest award for work as chaplain
Pallottine Father Frank S. Donio, a former pastoral director of St. Jude Shrine in Baltimore, earned the 2025 International Blessed Michael McGivney Medal, the highest honor given annually to a Knights of Columbus chaplain.
Mount St. Mary’s launches new physician assistant program
Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg is directly addressing Maryland’s growing healthcare crisis with the launch of a new physician assistant (PA) initiative. Recently granted provisional accreditation, it will welcome its inaugural class in January 2026.
Radio Interview: The Vatican Observatory
Editor Christopher Gunty talks with Jesuit Father Paul Gabor, vice director of the Vatican Observatory in Tucson, Ariz., about the intersection between faith and science.
Sister Rita Ann Naughton, I.H.M., dies at 88
Sister Rita Ann Naughton (formerly known as Sister Mary Sarto) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary July 23.
St. Bernardine Choir celebrates 50 years of song, spirit and community
The joyful sound of 75 voices singing in praise filled St. Bernardine Catholic Church all the way up to its trademark gold dome July 27 as the church’s beloved choir celebrated its 50th anniversary with a reunion concert.
Loyola University Maryland receives $1 million gift supporting aspiring educators, creation of reflection space
Loyola University Maryland’s School of Education received a $1 million gift from Elaine and Anthony Grillo to assist students pursuing education degrees and to support the renovation and expansion of Donnelly Science Center.
Sister Miriam Jansen, former director of international programs at Notre Dame of Maryland, dies at 86
Beginning in 1992, Sister Miriam served for 19 years as director of international programs at what is now Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore. A former provincial leader for her religious community’s former St. Louis Province and a former superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Jefferson City, Miss., she held other assignments in in Missouri and Illinois.
Men’s religious leaders confront change with fraternity and faith
The question was simple and familiar to many in religious life: How does one deal with a curmudgeon – someone who is set in his ways, resistant to change and vocal about it?