VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI made an urgent appeal for an end to the “tragic violence” escalating in the Gaza Strip. After praying the noonday “Regina Coeli” with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square May 20, the pope called on both Palestinian and Israeli leaders to renew efforts for dialogue and to curb the...Read More

Catonsville resident Jeanne Marie Hannon doesn't mind getting her hands dirty if it means slowly watching the plants at Catholic Charities' Gallagher Services in Timonium transform into colorful flowers or luscious vegetables. Cultivating plant life for the summer is an annual tradition for the St. Agnes, Catonsville, parishioner and client of the residential and day...Read More

WASHINGTON – For many activists in the 1980s-era Moral Majority, there’s no doubt that the religiously based, politically conservative organization changed politics and religion for the better. The election of President Ronald Reagan and a cadre of socially conservative members of Congress in the 1980s changed the direction of politics – particularly by rebuilding the...Read More

El BANANAL, Argentina – Church workers ministering to Argentine indigenous communities have been watching the Latin American and Caribbean bishops’ meeting in Brazil with bated breath, wondering whether Latin American bishops will change their methods in evangelizing the Gospel to native peoples. “We are waiting and watching with anxiety, given that before Benedict was pope...Read More

Representatives of St. Agnes HealthCare in Baltimore and St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson announced May 16 that Patrick F. Mutch has been chosen as executive director of Mission Health Partners, the multi-institutional health-care collaborative formed by two Baltimore hospitals early this year. Mr. Mutch, a parishioner of St. Ann in Baltimore, will be responsible...Read More

A memorial tree honoring “the life and supreme sacrifice” of Calvert Hall College High School, Towson, 1994 graduate E. Austin Koth was dedicated on campus May 10.Read More

SEATTLE – A funeral Mass was celebrated May 12 in a chapel at Seattle University for Walter Hubbard Jr., a national African-American Catholic leader who had headed the Seattle-based National Office for Black Catholics since 1970. Mr. Hubbard, 82, died May 5 in Seattle. No cause of death was given. He had served for two...Read More

NEW CASTLE, Ind. – Five weeks after fire destroyed historic St. Anne Church in New Castle during the early morning hours of Holy Saturday, Henry County authorities arrested William L. Abbott, 33, of New Castle on felony charges of arson, burglary and theft. County prosecutor Kit Crane said Abbott was arrested May 10 and charged...Read More