Parish passports represent ‘new map of hope’ October 19, 2026By Katie V. Jones Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Seek the City to Come The net that St. Leo the Great and St. Vincent de Paul cast over Southeast Baltimore is vast, and many parishioners do not realize how big it is, according to Father Evan Ponton, pastor. Father Evan Ponton, pastor of St. Leo the Great Church in Little Italy and St. Vincent de Paul Church in Baltimore, presents the parish’s new portolan passport to Chris Sniezek, executive director of the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House, during a visit to the national historic site in Baltimore. (Courtesy Father Even Ponton) Inspired by his journey along El Camino Trail in Spain, Father Ponton created a portolan, or parish passport, to encourage parishioners to get outside their church’s four walls and learn about one another and the communities their parishes serve. “The passport program is basically a tool to help us discover the gifts and needs in our neighborhoods and communities to reflect on what kind of parish we need to become and grow into,” Father Ponton said. Modeled after a book he carried in Spain, the passport highlights 30 historical, cultural and religious sites. Stops range from attending Mass at one of two churches to taking a Baltimore water taxi ride in the Inner Harbor. After each visit, participants return to St. Leo to stamp their passports. “It is an eye opener for parishioners,” said Mary Hennigan, a pastoral council member from St. Vincent de Paul. “It is a chance for people to see the community we’re engaged in. This is what it is together.” Eduardo Sindaco, a pastoral council member from St. Leo, said he and his wife have “challenged” themselves by “almost going out of their comfort zone” through the program. “It allowed us to do different things in the community we normally wouldn’t do,” Sindaco said, from attending Friday night dinners to reaching out to homeless shelters. “Father Evan has used this opportunity to bring us together and to learn about the different communities and each other.” The Portolan passport, which in Italian means “navigational charts,” is the brainchild of Father Evan Ponton, administrator of St. Leo the Great Church in Little Italy and St. Vincent de Paul Church in Baltimore. Developed with the help of the parish transition team, it was created to encourage parishioners to explore their parish communities, including the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Charles Carroll House and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, to name a few. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff) The two parishes were merged during the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Seek the City to Come pastoral planning initiative in 2024. Father Ponton acknowledged the first year was “difficult.” “Change is hard,” Hennigan said, especially when each parish has a long history and distinct identity. It is also a “fantastic opportunity to move forward,” she said. “How do we serve all the people in a quiet, dignified way without fanfare?’ Hennigan said. “To live out the Gospels in a bigger community is a good thing.” The parishes have organized walking, bicycle and bus tours around passport stops. “These little things really help,” Hennigan said. “It’s a collaboration between people.” Father Ponton credited pastoral council members and parish transition teams for driving the effort. “The fact that we’ve gotten this far is a testament. We’re getting there,” Father Ponton said. “I do think that this passport program is an awesome thing. It’s getting people out there and looking at our new parish territory – a new map of hope.” Read more local news Sister Mary Katharine Brent dies at 106 Loyola University Maryland opens renovated community center on York Road Walters exhibit showcases rare missal linked to St. Francis, El Greco painting Archbishop Lori calls for prayers following pope’s cancer diagnosis Radio Interview: The impact of immigration and welcoming the stranger PIE Homecoming Classic Copyright © 2026 Catholic Review Media Print
