The Catholic Review From time to time, I will invite guest columnists to share their “Thoughts on our Church.” I am especially anxious to introduce members of our Archdiocesan staff, given the extraordinary expertise they offer me and all our Archdiocesan efforts. Harold (Hal) Smith has been Executive Director of Archdiocesan Catholic Charities since 1976...Read More

The Catholic Review The almost half million pilgrims who flocked to Sydney, Australia for the 23rd World Youth Day (WYD) made the sacrifices necessary ultimately because of their love for our Church. One participant stated it for most of us: “We have a wonderful Catholic Church.” Having experienced the unity of Catholic believers from some...Read More

The Catholic Review An article in last weekend’s New York Times dramatized the victimization of foreigners living in our country without proper documentation and the frenzied, all out effort of some to capture and prosecute them as criminals. Pastors across the country – including our own Archdiocese – tell of raids upon young immigrants who...Read More

The Catholic Review The cover photo of last week’s Catholic Review captured so well both the Pallium Mass itself as well as the emotions it evoked! After much prayer and anticipation, the moment captured in the photograph provided emotional spiritual crescendo for me and, I hope, for the many pilgrims who journeyed to Rome. Now,...Read More

The Catholic Review The Challenge of Pope Benedict Our role at the Catholic Center, where the offices for the central services of the Archdiocese are located, is to provide the support that will allow the outstanding work of our parishes, schools and other institutions to continue for the benefit of those we serve. I have...Read More

The Catholic Review A celebrated and most valuable outgrowth of the Second Vatican Council has been the rise in the number of “apostolic movements” that have sprung up in the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Each centered in a unique spirituality, these movements nourish strongly committed laity with the teachings and sacraments...Read More

The Catholic Review Each year at the conclusion of the Maryland General Assembly’s 90-day session, a list of the session’s “best sellers”– the bills most inquired about by the general public—is published by the Legislative Services Department. This session’s best sellers include two measures which add a new term to our health and tax laws:...Read More

The Catholic Review Although I have visited all our parishes—however briefly in most cases—and a couple of dozen elementary schools to date, I’ve managed so far only a handful of high schools. In celebrating Mass for the students at Mt. St. Joseph, Archbishop Curley and Calvert Hall, I have come to realize that the Archdiocese...Read More