America needs the example of a real hero: a dedicated hero who enhances natural talents by hard work and takes pride in a craft; an unselfish hero who places team above self.

With the blast of a horn, the dragon boat races paddled off Sept. 13 in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. A fundraiser for Catholic Charities, the biennial race featured local businesses, nonprofits and college teams competing for the coveted dragon trophy while raising money for the nonprofit and its many programs.

Since Aug. 22, Chicago White Sox fans have been able to easily spot the stadium seat where Pope Leo XIV sat when he watched the first game of the 2005 World Series.

Since 1998, the Dragon Boat races have been a biennial tradition, except for a pandemic pause. The event was born from a visit to China by Hal Smith, a former executive director of Catholic Charities of Baltimore.

Calvert Hall’s Tyler Ward is among coaches at four area Catholic high schools who will be trying to get their new teams to the highest level. In addition to Tyler Ward, Richard Holzer will take over at Loyola Blakefield in Towson; Rich Stichel Jr. at Archbishop Curley High School in Northeast Baltimore; and Josh Ward (not related to Tyler Ward) at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Essex.

Politics can unite instead of divide as long as it refuses to settle for propaganda that feeds on creating enemies, Pope Leo XIV said.

When the Orioles have a home game in Baltimore on a Sunday, Father Baker is at the park, bringing everything he needs for Mass.  

he June 14 celebration, organized by the Archdiocese of Chicago, included a series of short video clips and first-ever airing of Pope Leo XIV’s video message to the world’s youth at Rate Field on Chicago’s Southside.

Sport, with its demands for self-giving, collaboration and perseverance, reflects the beauty and dynamic love of God, Pope Leo XIV said.

When discovering that Pope Leo the sports fan has supported their school’s athletic journeys for the past half-century, Villanova students — especially the athletes — united in rampant celebration.