Students at Woodmont Academy, Cooksville, welcomed nearly 300 grandparents to the school’s first Grandparents Day Nov. 26.
After a Mass attended by more than 700 students, staff and family members, grandparents visited classrooms and participated in activities with their grandchildren, such as coloring posters, playing board games and being interviewed about their childhoods.
“My parents and in-laws couldn’t have been happier,” said Janice Moore, mother of three Woodmont students whose family traveled from California for both Thanksgiving and for the school’s celebration. “I just love our great school and was so proud to show it off on Grandparents Day.”
Sister Frances (Frankie) Vaughan, a Medical Mission Sister, was re-elected to the Medical Mission Sisters’ Leadership Team as coordinator for development. As part of the governing board, Sister Frankie will continue for three more years to help oversee the development of mission for the 130 sisters living in 15 states in North America.
Sister Frankie has served in Rome, Ghana and the U.S.
At a vigil Mass Nov. 22, Bishop Denis J. Madden, auxiliary bishop, officially installed Father Gerard Knapp, a Redemptorist, as pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Highlandtown, who took over the post in August.
More than 200 parishioners, family and friends attended the liturgy and a dinner reception.
“The Mass was spectacular, and the reception was festive,” said Father Knapp. “It was good to see the church nearly filled, and hopefully we can do it again.”
Representing the third generation of the Knapps to worship at Sacred Heart, the priest has returned to his roots. As a youngster, he lived around the corner on Foster Avenue with his parents and five siblings.
Growing up in a Redemptorist parish and being encouraged by the School Sisters of Notre Dame led Father Knapp to consider his vocation, he said. He attended Sacred Heart of Jesus Elementary School, and entered St. Mary’s Seminary in Pennsylvania at age 14.
The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas celebrated Foundation Day Dec. 12, marking the 177th anniversary of their founding in Ireland by Catherine McAuley. The religious order has spread world-wide and serves anyone with needs, with a focus on women and children.
At Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, it is a tradition to welcome new Mercy Associates into a relationship with the Sisters of Mercy, calling them to deepen their commitment to the hospital’s mission, grow in spirituality and partner with others in the Mercy community. Associates commit through a formal covenant and participate in service to the poor, sick and uneducated, while discovering opportunity for friendship, prayer, hospitality and celebration with the Sisters of Mercy.
Three new Mercy Associates were welcomed, employees Colleen Moore of the Family Violence Program; Dan Collins of marketing; and Robert Montana in the pathology department.
There are more than 2,800 Mercy Associates throughout the Americas.