When Catholics first gathered for Mass in Hagerstown 250 years ago, they did it in secret. Since English penal laws prohibited them from worshipping publically, Hagerstown Catholics met in family homes and relied on Jesuit circuit riders from Conewago, Pa.

In his 38 years of priestly ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Bishop W. Francis Malooly earned a reputation as a man of good humor, deep commitment to his faith, genuine humility and a pastoral sensitivity to others.
All those qualities were on display at St. Elizabeth Church in Wilmington, Del., Sept. 8, when Baltimore’s former western vicar was installed as the 9th bishop of Wilmington.

When Monsignor John Dietzenbach pushed open the doors of the new St. Peter the Apostle Church in Libertytown during a Sept. 7 dedication liturgy, more than 900 parishioners looked on in stunned silence.

Responding to an apocalyptic posting to a Web site by Dr. Gianna Talone-Sullivan claiming that the Blessed Virgin Mary told her of an impending worldwide disaster, the Archdiocese of Baltimore released an Aug. 29 statement reaffirming its position that Dr. Sullivan’s alleged visions “are not supernatural in origin.”

Baltimore’s auxiliary bishops appreciate Bishop W. Francis Malooly’s steady influence.

The Catholic Review invited Bishop W. Francis Malooly to reveal some of his favorite people, places and things from his hometown as he prepares to leave his beloved Baltimore to head the Diocese of Wilmington, Del. Here are the first responses Bishop Malooly gave us on his Baltimore favorites:

Is the blogosphere ready for the clergy invasion?

Standing on the sidewalk outside a small, three-story house on Paca Street, Father John Kemper, S.S., raised one hand and dangled a long, old-fashioned key that looked like it could unlock a treasure chest.

Monsignor Joseph S. Lizor Jr., the pastor of St. Luke, Edgemere, celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination June 22 with a Mass at the parish and a celebration in Perry Hall.

As a Redemptorist, Father John Lavin, C.Ss.R., accepted a vocation that includes “extraordinary preaching.”