• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Archbishop William E. Lori helped Catholic Charities celebrate 100 Years of Hope and Promise Nov. 9, 2023. This past year, Catholic Charities and other ministries in our Catholic community, engaged in the mental well-being of 6,000 individuals, including providing support for behavioral-health and substance-abuse challenges. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Putting faith into action

December 14, 2023
By Archbishop William E. Lori
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Charity in Truth, Commentary, From the Archbishop

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Many people, at home and abroad, experienced the past year as one of strife, fear and uncertainty. In the face of life’s difficulties, it can be easy to lose hope, to lose a sense that God is at work in our midst.

What are the needs we see around us and what has the Church done to respond to these needs?

Many seek God and want to encounter his presence. This past year 4,698 Catholics were baptized, 3,035 received their first holy Communion, 2,863 were confirmed and 833 entered holy matrimony.

Archbishop William E. Lori, second from left in top row, joined students at Archbishop Borders School in Highlandtown as they received their new winter jackets provided by the Maryland State Council Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids annual outreach Dec. 11, 2023. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Many are looking for meaning and purpose in life. This past year, a great number of the faithful dedicated their lives to ministry in the Church: eight of our brothers were ordained as priests; another six were ordained as transitional deacons, the final step before priesthood; and 14 of our brothers were ordained to the permanent diaconate. Several women and men from our archdiocese took religious vows, and committed their lives to service, witnessing to God’s kingdom on earth. Countless lay people responded to a call to serve in their parishes or other ministries.

Many young people seek a brighter future and a path to unlock their God-given potential. This past year, our Catholic schools educated more than 24,000 students, challenging young minds, and shaping a generation of servant-leaders. This past year we provided $2.8 million in scholarships to help 2,119 young people to attend one of our academically strong, Christ-centered Catholic schools. We advocated for the BOOST program that provided $2.2 million in scholarships for 562 deserving students. Through the generosity of our parishes, an additional $4.7 million was offered in tuition assistance and support for Catholic education.

Many of our neighbors face poverty and injustice. This past year, the family of the archdiocese – more than 500,000 strong – was once again Maryland’s largest provider of aid outside of the state government. This work was carried out in parishes across the archdiocese and in more than 80 programs run by Catholic Charities.

Many people struggle with a crushing sense of despair. This past year, Catholic Charities and other ministries in our Catholic community, engaged in the mental well-being of 6,000 individuals, including providing support for behavioral-health and substance-abuse challenges. In 2022, the archdiocese certified nearly 1,000 people as Mental Health First Aid responders.

Students from Mother Mary Lange and Archbishop Borders Catholic Schools benefit from Archdiocese of Baltimore scholarship and tuition assistance programs. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Many of our brothers and sisters face hunger each day. This past year, we nourished the hungry with a half-million hot meals served by Catholic Charities and free groceries distributed by our many parish-based food pantries. This year, in a variety of ministries, faithful Catholics worked to safely reunite 400 minors with family or sponsors.

Many families are impacted by the scourge of violence. This past year, Catholics worked to help families whose loved ones have been murdered through our Grief Ministry, providing fresh and non-perishable food to the families of homicide victims in the days and weeks after their traumatic loss. When tragedy struck our neighbors with the Brooklyn Homes mass shooting in July, Catholics went into action helping to cover burials costs, providing resources for people living in witness protection and responding to the needs of victims.

Many challenges face each of us every day. This past year, in all these ways and more, the family of the Church responded to them by striving to carry out the mission that Jesus entrusted to us. The Church is called to be the continuation of Christ’s presence in history: sanctifying, teaching, serving, healing, feeding and caring as Jesus did.

And what will we do in the year to come? The same and more. Jesus is present among us and at work here in and now. This is our cause for hope. Jesus Christ is still active and alive in his Church. His mission carries on.

Read More Commentary

Mahmoud v. Taylor: A Supreme Court victory for parents, freedom

How and why to laugh like a saint

Question Corner: Can we bring the Precious Blood to the sick?

Impact of DOGE cuts on migrants, refugees

Remember common decency in immigration enforcement

confirmation

Sponsors – for life

Copyright © 2023 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Primary Sidebar

Archbishop William E. Lori

View all posts from this author

| Recent Commentary |

Mahmoud v. Taylor: A Supreme Court victory for parents, freedom

How and why to laugh like a saint

Question Corner: Can we bring the Precious Blood to the sick?

Impact of DOGE cuts on migrants, refugees

Remember common decency in immigration enforcement

| Recent Local News |

Lay associates journey with the Oblate Sisters of Providence

Father Robert Wojsław dies at 52

Scopes Monkey Trial ignited century-long debate on evolution and belief 

Deacon Gary Elliott Dumer Jr., active in men’s ministry, dies

Radio Interview: The music and ministry of Seph Schlueter

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Proof of life for kidnapped Nigerian priest received by Alaska diocese where he served
  • Filled with hope, Christians know cries of the innocent will be heard, pope says
  • Pope calls for ceasefire, dialogue, peace after church hit in Gaza
  • School club gives students chance to benefit veterans, fosters Gospel value of serving others
  • Three dead, Holy Family Gaza pastor injured after mid-morning Israeli attack
  • Top Republican appears to walk back probe of Catholic entities amid charged committee hearing
  • Mahmoud v. Taylor: A Supreme Court victory for parents, freedom
  • Church leaders, faithful in procession to Detroit ICE office call for just immigration policies
  • Study: Devotion to Mary has significant impact on discerning, sustaining vocations

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

en Englishes Spanish
en en