jesus christ

At a time when the nation's top Roman Catholic leaders have been making headlines with their stands on religious liberty and immigration reform, Cardinal Timothy Dolan opened this year's convention of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops by focusing his attention beyond American borders.

Scholar Russ Breault to bring his multimedia presentation, "Shroud Encounters," to Hopkins tonight

Archbishop William Lori comments on the reasons Pope Francis has captured the world's attention.

Virginia F. Toohey, a homemaker and former volunteer, died Monday of heart failure at the Blakehurst retirement community in Towson. She was 96.

A white van marked in burgundy with the name of a Glen Burnie Baptist church has been making the rounds of local neighborhoods this summer, seeking Jewish souls to save from the fires of eternal damnation. Many local Jews do not appreciate the effort.

Paul F. Spigelmire, a Lutherville real estate agent, died June 16 from an apparent heart attack while vacationing in Indonesia. He was 61.

Dr. Vernon F. Ottenritter, a retired Baltimore dentist and World War II veteran, died Monday at his Timonium home from complications of a fall. He was 87.

Dr. Richard J. Bouchard, a retired cardiologist who played an instrumental role in the establishment of the cardiac catheterization laboratory at St. Agnes Hospital, died Saturday from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at Stella Maris Hospice. He was 84.

Joseph E. Welsh, a retired Baltimore County public school educator who was also a hospice volunteer and Eucharistic minister, died Monday from melanoma at Gilchrist Hospice Care in Towson. He was 80.

William R. Dachille Sr., a retired insurance executive and liquor store owner, died Monday from heart failure at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center. He was 88.

Dr. William R. Law, a retired Baltimore internist whose career at Bon Secours Hospital spanned more than three decades, died Feb. 20 from cancer at Stella Maris Hospice. He was 77.

Leta Dunham got a breakfast order to go on Roland Avenue Wednesday morning: a grande triple skim latte in her cup, and on her forehead, an ashen reminder that we are all destined to dust.

For Harford County's Catholic residents, the annual Lent season is a time to reflect on how they can improve as people.

Religious organizations that object to homosexuality have always been the foundation of Scouting, but a ban on gays is now bad for business.

Like preachers across the country preparing for Christmas services today, William Lori has grappled with the question of how to celebrate the joy of the day so soon after the devastation of Newtown. But for Baltimore's new archbishop, the challenge is also "rather personal."

It has, to paraphrase an old English carol, prickles as sharp as thorns, bark as bitter as gall and berries as bright as life-giving blood.

Howard County datebook

Helen M. Finnegan, a homemaker and former Hutzler's department store sales associate, died Monday of congestive heart failure.

Jonah Goldberg says a perception of Republican religious exclusivity turns off many Asian-Americans

The crying of a little girl filled the silence in the pause between song and narration during Saturday evening's annual live Nativity presentation at Christ United Methodist Church in Baltimore Highlands. Admonished to be quiet as she was carried away, she cried a little louder.

Dr. Robert E. Stroble, a former Maryland state senator who later retired as a Baltimore County elementary school principal, died Nov. 22 from complications of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

Annual giveaway's goal a present for every child

Edwin P. Post II, a retired federal housing inspector and veteran of two wars, died Oct. 25 from complications of Alzheimer's disease at Sunrise Assisted-Living in Columbia.

Howard County datebook

The choice of a Towson Anglican church to become Catholic raises many difficult issues

On Sunday, Christ the King Church — Anglican — became Christ the King Catholic Church. The Towson congregation of about 140 is one of the first groups in the United States to join a new "ordinariate" established for those who want to be Catholic but hold on to Anglican traditions.

A Towson area church will make a faithful transition this weekend as its rector is ordained — and its congregation confirmed — into the Catholic Church.

Friday is Opening Day for the Baltimore Orioles, as well as 17 other Major League teams. But it is also Good Friday, the most solemn day in Christianity, and the first day of Judaism's Passover, a confluence of events that is giving some fans theological pause.

The Catholic church has opened an investigation into the Cause for Beatification and Canonization for Mary Virginia Merrick, who founded the National Christ Child Society in 1887 when she was 20 years old.

Bridget K. Healy, a student at George Mason University who had also been a member of the Special Olympics, died Thursday of a pulmonary thromboembolism at St. Joseph Medical Center. She was 24.

Claire O'Meara, a retired educator who was active in her church, died Thursday of XXX at Gilchrist Hospice Care in Towson. She was 91.

Evangelicals and Mormons: Mutual respect is critical but must not mask deep theological differences

In pursuit of creating a permanent winter holiday break, Howard County government has changed its holiday schedule for 2012, requiring employees to work Good Friday and Columbus Day so they can have off between Christmas and New Year's.

A reader complains that politically correct descriptions of Christmas are designed to mask the religious meaning of the holiday

The Walters Art Museum has been putting its stamp on the nation for more than 77 years – but never in quite the way that it's doing this holiday season. "The Madonna of the Candelabra," has been chosen by the U.S. Postal Service as the official Christmas stamp for 2011 and 2012.

Holiday events also include bazaars and live performances.

Breakfast with Santa, holiday concerts on schedule

Rick Perry's pastor diminishes his spiritual message by linking it to politics.

Mormonism is no cult but Republican candidates seem unwilling to condemn religious bigotry

Lisbon/Woodbine: The Ladies Auxiliary of St. Michael's Catholic Church will be holding its Quarter Mania Fundraiser Oct. 14.

Los Angeles Times' Doyle McManus says ascendance of Romney, others shows how times have changed for religious minorities in politics

133 objects go on display today in "Treasures of Heaven: Saints, Relics and Devotion in Medieval Europe," a major new traveling exhibit at the Walters Art Museum.