The Archdiocese of Baltimore ordained nine men May 21 to the diaconate, the final step for them before they expect to be ordained to the priesthood next year.

With the Supreme Court considering overturning Roe v. Wade, Monsignor James Farmer speaks about the dignity of all human life and the call to be witnesses for life. Monsignor Farmer is the pastor of St. Thomas More in Baltimore and a longtime spiritual director to Respect Life in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Archbishop William E. Lori announced clergy appointments for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Imploring God to shine over Baltimore and the Preakness with the “brightness of a Black-eyed Susan,” Bishop Bruce Lewandowski toured Pimlico May 19 and offered prayerful reflection to hundreds gathered for an almost 100-year-old racetrack tradition.

As Americans wait for a final decision from the U.S. Supreme Court on overturning the Roe V. Wade decision legalizing abortion, Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori called on Catholics to pray for an end to abortion and to redouble their efforts in support of pregnant women and their families.

The transition from middle school to high school can be daunting. Recent issues with COVID-19 only added to those challenges for students.

Franciscan Sister Jean Clare Rohe, 104, the oldest member of Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, died at her congregation’s motherhouse in Aston, Pa., May 16. She had been a professed member of her order for 84 years.

Deacon John Joseph Rafter Jr., who had a passion for bringing people into the Catholic Church, died May 11 at University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie. He was 79.

St. John the Evangelist parish in Hydes traces its roots to its first Mass, celebrated May 19, 1822 by Sulpician Father Jean Marie Tessier, superior of St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. The priest presided over the consecration of a little wooden church on the west side of Long Green Valley.

A funeral Mass for Sister Joan Matthews of the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence will be offered May 24 in Indiana. Sister Joan, formerly known as Sister Ignatius, died April 25. She was 93 and had spent 75 years as a Sister of Providence.