“Our country is far from perfect, but to many it is a beacon of hope and freedom,” Archbishop Lori said.

Their championship pedigrees are among the reasons three players from Catholic institutions in Baltimore are on the roster of Team USA at the world championships in Israel.

Nine youths and several adult chaperones who traveled on a mission trip sponsored by the archdiocesan Missions Office were delayed by protests.

“I am reminded of a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that ‘the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice,’” Archbishop Lori said.

The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 June 26 that a California law that placed requirements on crisis pregnancy centers that oppose abortion violated the First Amendment.

Archbishop William E. Lori joined his brother bishops “and so many others of goodwill in calling on our leaders to cease the current practice of separating children from their mothers…”

In the United States, Catholics see the results of this collection daily directly in their hands through social media, websites, radio programs, video production, and more.

The formal program opened at noon with the choir from Cardinal Shehan School in Baltimore backing Andra Day and Common on “Rise Up.”

The seminarians ranged from pre-theology to those in their temporary diaconate year. They worked alongside the native people in many projects.

“Nuestra fe nos mueve a estar con los vulnerables, incluidos nuestros hermanos y hermanas inmigrantes… Ahora debemos mostrar nuestro apoyo y solidaridad de una manera especial,” dijeron los obispos.