Meqdim Abera, a fifth-grader from Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Ellicott City, won the Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic School Spelling Bee for the second year in a row, correctly spelling the word “paraffin.”

In addressing more than 200 people at the St. Dymphna Mental Wellness Retreat at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg May 15, Deacon Ed Shoener pointed out that St. Elizabeth Ann Seton faced her own challenges dealing with the inevitable stresses of life.

Archbishop Lori announces appointments, including eight retirements

St. John Paul II’s American biographer, George Weigel, was awarded the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland by President Andrzej Duda at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw May 13.

Mount St. Mary’s President Dr. Timothy E. Trainor is giving himself some new marching orders. Trainor, 63, announced in March his plans to retire from his role at Mount St. Mary’s June 30.

Father Walter J. McGovern, fondly remembered for his loving, pastoral presence during his six decades serving the Archdiocese of Baltimore, died May 9 at Stella Maris in Timonium. He was 92.

Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talks with Frank and Mary Frost, producers of “Teilhard: Visionary Scientist,” a documentary about Jesuit scientist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, who was part of the crew that discovered Peking Man and whose explorations in science and spirituality continue to inspire today.

Archbishop William E. Lori will ordain six transitional deacons and two permanent deacons during a 10 a.m. Mass May 18 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland. Those ordained as transitional deacons are expected to later be ordained to the priesthood, while permanent deacons will remain deacons.

When Baltimore Auxiliary Bishop Adam J. Parker and Andrew Middleton, director of the archdiocesan Apostleship of the Sea, approached the stranded MV Dali at the site of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the bishop noticed that it looked like it was leaning, and wondered if that would be evident onboard the ship.

A funeral Mass was held May 1 for Brother James P. Eckert, who died April 27 of cancer of the esophagus. Brother James, who also went by Brother Campion, taught for more than 20 years and ministered to the impoverished in Western Maryland.