This year’s annual Rosary Congress will kick off with a walking pilgrimage from the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland to the Baltimore Basilica on Oct. 2.

Ordained in 1996, Deacon Westwater served throughout his time in Baltimore at St. Isaac Jogues, where former pastors and staff remembered him for his heart for service and his good spirit.

Archbishop William E. Lori has announced clergy appointments, including a new pastor for Sacred Heart of Mary-St. Rita-Our Lady of Fatima.

Cheri Blomquist, author of Before Austen Comes Aesop, discusses the importance of encouraging children to read and offers some tips for selecting books.

“The Hispanic ministry at church feels like family,” said Jesus Urrutua. “It fills me up with incredible joy to see them all happy and together.”

A 65-year-old woman is expected to survive critical injuries suffered in a Sept. 15 fire at St. Luke’s Place, a senior housing community run by Catholic Charities of Baltimore, according to a Sept. 16 news release by the Baltimore County Fire Department.

This edition of Names & Numbers highlights good news in our Catholic schools.

Sister Laurine, who served as guidance counselor, 1972-73, and director of religious education, 1973-78, at St. Clement I, Lansdowne, died Sept. 6 at Mother Theodore Hall, St. Mary-of-the-Woods in Indiana.

Women from across the Archdiocese of Baltimore and throughout Maryland will gather once again for this year’s conference, set for Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Joseph in Fullerton.

The program, which had 25 students from nine foreign nations for the 2020-21 school year, furthers the school’s mission, according to its website, “to develop students who will embrace opportunities and excel as leaders in our global society.”