George Matysek talks with Father Brian Nolan, pastor of St. Ignatius of Loyola in Ijamsville, about why Catholics have such love for Mary and ways for drawing closer to her. Father Nolan also dispels some common misconceptions about Mary and shares some personal stories about his connection to her.

Though all the diners are members of the Catholic Parishes of South Washington County – a pastorate that includes St. Joseph in Hagerstown, St. Augustine in Williamsport and St. James in Boonsboro – this steadfast rule has played a key role in maintaining the group’s cohesion and longevity.

Archbishop William E. Lori said it was a beautiful sight to see the whole church celebrate the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Square on a picture-perfect May morning in Rome.

Two days after torrential rain caused flooding in the Georges Creek Valley in Western Maryland, Father Scott Kady, pastor of Divine Mercy Parish felt blessed.

A funeral Mass for Sister of St. Francis of Assisi Valerie Jarzembowski (formerly Sister Raymond) was offered May 8 at her religious community’s motherhouse in Wisconsin. Sister Valerie died April 29. She was 89.

With Dr. Donna Hargen’s strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, it seemed appropriate for a farewell Mass and dinner for the retiring schools superintendent to be held May 13, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.

With the appointment of Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R. to the Diocese of Providence, R.I., Archbishop William E. Lori announced May 8 two interim appointments to continue the work Bishop Lewandowski had done while in Baltimore.

Father Patrick M. Carrion offered the invocation May 15 at the “Alibi Breakfast” ahead of the May 17 running of the Preakness Stakes, following in the nearly century-long tradition set by his brother priests before him in Baltimore at Pimlico Race Course.

Father Dal Bianco grew up in Llamellin and was ordained three years ago for the Diocese of Huarí. Now associate pastor of Our Lady of Fatima in Baltimore, he recalls brief encounters with then-Bishop Robert Prevost, the missionary from Chicago who led the Diocese of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023, before becoming head of the Dicastery for Bishops in Rome.

Mary Anne O’Donnell was one of many providing an evening of accolades for William J. McCarthy Jr., who has worked seamlessly with the agency’s 2,000 employees, 8,000 volunteers and more than 10,000 donors. Established in 1923, Catholic Charities is the state’s largest private provider of human services with more than 80 programs in 200 locations.