Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talks with two authors whose books feature literal and spiritual trailblazers.

Faith has been a vibrant part of Deacon Ilanga’s 46 years of life. It all began in his childhood with his mother bringing him and his eight siblings – five sisters and three brothers – to daily and Sunday Masses as a family. With the church being a five-minute walk from home, Deacon Ilanga was also involved in ministries such as singing in the choir and being an altar server. 

A funeral Mass for School Sister of Notre Dame Joan Marie Minella was offered May 30 at Villa Assumpta in Towson. Sister Joan died May 9, just a few days shy of turning 90.

At a time when federal funding cuts are straining the services of charitable organizations across the region, Archbishop William E. Lori offered a message of hope and solidarity during a special “Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice” celebrated June 11 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.

When Sister Marcia Hall was elected in April as the next superior general of the Baltimore-based Oblate Sisters of Providence, the nation’s oldest functioning Black Catholic religious order, she would have to wait for her new administration to meet to prioritize goals for their four-year tenure.

Archbishop Lori announces appointments, including pastor and associate pastor assignments

A funeral Mass will be offered June 17 for Oblate Sister of Providence Trinita Baeza, who served her order for 81 years. The graduate of St. Frances Academy in Baltimore died June 8. She was 98.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ellicott City will host its fourth annual Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession June 21. The event begins with Saturday’s 4:30 p.m. vigil Mass and the procession begins at approximately 5:30 p.m. after the end of holy Communion.

A funeral Mass will be offered June 12 in Aston, Pa., for Sister Francis Anita Rizzo, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 75 years. Sister Francis Anita, who ministered in the Archdiocese of Baltimore for more than 18 years, died at Assisi House June 10. She was 95.

Rebuilt Conference 2025, with the theme “Can You Imagine,” asked the priests, parish leaders and volunteers present from all around the country and beyond, to imagine their congregations thriving with active parishioners and sufficient funding.