Leaders of the Archdiocese of Baltimore have been doing a lot of listening over the last several months as part of the global synod process.

Sister Isabelle Maina of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Penance, who professed her first vows June 21 at the Our Lady of Sorrows Monastery in Toronto, Ohio, says she began to feel the stirrings of her vocation as a youngster at St. Mary Catholic School in Hagerstown.

Is the United States of America in a healthy place politically and socially as we approach Independence Day 2022? Political scientist Michael Towle, a professor at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg doesn’t think so. Catholic Review editor Christopher Gunty talks with Dr. Towle about where we went wrong and whether we can heal as a nation.

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

As he prepares for retirement, Monsignor Carl Cummings said he has been gratified to help people join the Catholic faith – or return to it in the sacrament of penance.

The Catholic Review spotlights four of Archdiocese of Baltimore’s distinctive scholars from the region’s 18 Catholic high schools.

“I’ve never wanted to be anything else but a parish priest,” said Father Ruane, 78. “I’ve enjoyed being with people during significant transitions in their lives – mostly through administering the sacraments, visiting the sick, preaching and teaching.”

Monsignor James P. Farmer, who has served as pastor of several parishes and who has been a tireless advocate for the rights of the unborn throughout his priesthood, will retire soon, but doesn’t plan to slow down too much.

Father Michael Roach’s life could best be summed up by one of his favorite quotations, by St. Clement of Alexandria: “All life is a holy festival.”

During his time at Holy Spirit, Father Joseph Simmons oversaw the building of a new church (dedicated in 1988) and the construction of a $1.9 million parish center after a fire destroyed the original one Dec. 16, 2009.