Loyola University Maryland officially acknowledged its historical ties to slavery with the Jan. 17 release of a comprehensive 27-page report detailing the Baltimore university’s connections to the slave trade.

The judge overseeing the Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization of the Archdiocese of Baltimore issued an order Jan. 16 that approved a May 31 deadline for claims to be submitted, along with the form to be used by those who wish to make a claim for damages relating to sexual abuse of a minor by clergy or other personnel in the archdiocese.

Leaders of St. John the Evangelist in Hydes recently introduced the “Eucharistic Revival Passport” at the Baltimore County parish.

Franciscan Sister Joanne Schatzlein, director of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi in Wisconsin, called it “truly a gift of God” that the Ellicott City-based Our Lady of the Angels Province of the Conventual Francisicans has taken over sponsorship of the Franciscan Center in Baltimore from the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi.

Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talked with Malachy Fallon, executive director of the Xavier Society for the Blind, about the Mass propers and other books and resources the society provides – all free of charge – to its patrons.

SEEK24 took center stage in downtown St. Louis Jan. 1-5, attracting more than 20,000 attendees from the Catholic Church, with the Archdiocese of Baltimore taking a leading role and securing its position as the largest sending diocese on the East Coast.

A diverse assembly of parishioners from Baltimore and Maryland united at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Northwood Jan. 7 for the Seek the City Visioning Workshop to participate in shaping the future of the Catholic community.

Father Joachim Anthony Giermek, only the third Friar from the United States to serve as minister general of the Conventual Franciscans, died Jan. 5 in Ellicott City. The member of the Franciscan Friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province and former teacher at Archbishop Curley High School in Northeast Baltimore was 80.

Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talked with Caroline Brennan, emergency communications director for Catholic Relief Services about the urgent crisis in the Holy Land, especially Gaza, as well as other regions affected by drought, famine and conflict that we don’t hear much about on the daily news.

It has been a year of ups and downs for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talked with Archbishop William E. Lori about vocations, the Eucharistic Revival Project, the archdiocese’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, the environment and more for our year-end review, and a look ahead to 2024.