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CAPE TOWN, South Africa – The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference condemned a police raid on a Johannesburg Methodist church that houses more than 1,300 refugees, mostly from Zimbabwe.

The Oblate Sisters of Providence in Baltimore have renewed their commitment to eradicate racism. The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Monroe, Mich., Immaculata and Scranton, Pa., and the Oblates condemned the sin of racism in a January statement.

Winter is hard on the homeless. But the youth group at St. Charles Borromeo, Pikesville, will make it a little easier with their “B-More Warm” project. They’ll collect gently used coats, hats, scarves, gloves and blankets for the homeless. That old coat taking up room in your closet might be a lifesaver for someone else.

Catholics throughout Maryland will have a chance to meet their lawmakers and talk about key legislative issues on Lobby Night, Feb. 18, in Annapolis. Sponsored by the Maryland Catholic Conference, the day begins with 3 p.m. issue briefings by MCC staff at St. Mary’s High School, Annapolis. Participants will then be shuttled to downtown state government buildings for appointments with their senators and delegates. The day ends with a legislative reception in the Miller Senate Office Building from 6-8 p.m. for Lobby Night participants and members of the Maryland General Assembly.

Father Joseph Breighner’s suggestion for prayer rather than resolutions (CR, Jan. 24) puts the focus on the power of God, not reliance on self. Might I suggest a very short prayer that I say many, many times a day: I love you God. Thank you for everything you have done for us. Love and thanks are definitely within our power.

Maryland legislators will be required to tackle several issues regarding undocumented immigrants this legislative ses¬sion, from who should qualify for in-state tuition at local col¬leges to the denial of bail for illegal aliens.

A couple of weeks ago, I asked employees of the Catholic Center and The Catholic Review to submit their ideas for what this column should be called with the promise of a personal cash prize ($100) for the chosen entry. I was both grateful and surprised at the enthusiastic response this “contest” evoked.