From its humble West Baltimore origins, a neighborhood peace event at St. Bernardine Church continues to grow into a can’t-miss, archdiocesan-wide social justice gathering.

Redemptorist Father John Murray, a visionary former pastor of St. Wenceslaus in Baltimore and St. Mary in Annapolis whose courage in the face of long-term paralysis inspired many, died Dec. 30. He was 77.

For Brandon Jacobs, a 20-year-old college student, practicing his faith at his home parish can sometimes feel like a solitary experience. He certainly didn’t get that feeling when he was part of a group of about 120 from the Archdiocese of Baltimore attending the annual SEEK conference in Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 1-5.

A former teacher at Trinity School in Ilchester, she also served in the Archdiocese of Washington and Kenya, where she worked with children with disabilities and helped people start small businesses.

In a revolutionary year, the spirited celebration of America’s 250th anniversary throughout 2026, the national shrine dedicated to the first U.S.-born saint is aiming to help patriotic revelers discover the place of “Mother Seton” among the pantheon of iconic nation-builders.

A funeral Mass for Comboni Missionary Sister Andre Rothschild will be offered Jan. 24, 11 a.m., at St. Matthew in Northwood. Sister Andre, who ministered at St. Matthew for two decades, died Dec. 26. She was 79.

As a new year dawns, Rita Buettner sits down with award-winning Catholic author and columnist Laura Kelly Fanucci for a thoughtful conversation about faith, reflection, grief and hope in times of transition

Heavy rains May 13 caused Georges Creek to overflow its banks, while the Potomac River was too full to accept the creek’s flow. Within minutes, water rushed down Church Street, flooding everything in its path. 

See new clergy appointments including pastors, associate pastors, deacons, and more.

Check out the most-read local stories and commentaries on CatholicReview.org for 2025.