Amid measles uptick, infectious diseases specialist says Church recommends vaccination U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is failing the Church’s just war test, bishops warn Deacon Stretmater, father of 11 who ministered at Howard County parish, dies at 101 Pope Leo XIV meets with evacuated Tehran cardinal as U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran continue Slain Lebanese priest hailed as a ‘martyr,’ commemorated by Pope Leo XIV Local News Deacon Stretmater, father of 11 who ministered at Howard County parish, dies at 101 Jay Sorgi March 12, 2026 The word “presence” defined the way Deacon Daniel Stretmater ministered, living a life to evoke Christ’s presence through everything he did in his 101 years of life, including actively serving for a quarter-century at St. Louis in Clarksville. Franciscan Center unveils new partnership to help with water, energy bills Catholic Review Staff March 11, 2026 Continuing its mission to provide outreach to the economically disadvantaged, Baltimore’s Franciscan Center began a new partnership March 5 to provide assistance with water and energy bills. Mount St. Mary’s alumnus David Ginty wins world’s largest brain research prize Catholic Review Staff March 11, 2026 Dr. David Ginty, a 1984 graduate of Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, has been named a recipient of The Brain Prize, the world’s largest neuroscience research award. Maryvale grad Allie Weis running Boston Marathon to benefit cancer research Gerry Jackson March 11, 2026 Allie Weis will compete in her first Boston Marathon April 20, running the 130th edition of the iconic event to raise funds for cancer research in honor of her late mother. More Local News World News Amid measles uptick, infectious diseases specialist says Church recommends vaccination Kate Scanlon March 12, 2026 Amid a spike in measles cases in the U.S., an infectious diseases specialist, who is also a Catholic deacon, told OSV News that the Church “has recommended measles vaccination to safeguard the health of children and families.” Pope Leo XIV points to St. Joseph as an example of the importance of ‘being present’ Courtney Mares March 12, 2026 Pope Leo XIV has highlighted how St. Joseph, who is never directly quoted in the Bible, is an example for Christians of the importance of “being present.” Pope Leo XIV names Augustinian prelate as new prefect of charity dicastery Courtney Mares March 12, 2026 Pope Leo XIV has named Spanish Augustinian Bishop Luis Marín de San Martín as the new prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, reassigning Cardinal Konrad Krajewski to serve as archbishop of his home diocese in his native Poland. U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is failing the Church’s just war test, bishops warn Gina Christian March 12, 2026 Since the start of the U.S. and Israel’s war on Iran, some U.S. Catholic bishops have highlighted Church teaching on what constitutes a “just war” — with one cardinal flatly declaring the current conflict fails to meet the necessary criteria, and is therefore “morally illegitimate.” More World News Commentary Question Corner: Can you use a deconsecrated altar for other purposes? Jenna Marie Cooper March 11, 2026 while a church building that could no longer be used for its original purpose might in some cases lawfully be sold and re-purposed as something like a museum or private residence, this relegation or re-purposing would not affect the status of the altar it once contained. Yes and no George P. Matysek Jr. March 11, 2026 In the Gospel of St. Matthew, Jesus tells us to let our “yes” mean “yes” and our “no” mean “no,” warning that anything more is from the evil one. Scripture scholars explain that he was condemning the misuse of oaths and calling his followers to live in truth. But I couldn’t help thinking that he was also calling us to something deeper: an integrity of heart. John Allen, nonpareil Vaticanista George Weigel March 11, 2026 John Allen was the best Anglophone Vaticanista ever, a man of great kindness who graciously helped everyone on that beat who had the sense to counsel with him. More than a Cup of Coffee (and accepting Lenten interruptions) Rita Buettner March 7, 2026 As we were walking, I saw a man who looked like he was on his way to work. He was carrying a paper coffee cup—a beacon to me on my hunt for coffee. Fear: Destroyer of Lenten works Elizabeth Scalia March 7, 2026 It is human to be afraid. But this year, in our Lenten disciplines, let us place all of the fears we’re conscious of — or will admit to — into the vast depths of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Christ, who said, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Lk 12:32). More Commentary Featured Video Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s bid to become the first team to earn back-to-back Baltimore Catholic League Tournament and Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference basketball titles started quickly and promptly hit a snag against St. Frances Academy March 4 at Loyola University Maryland’s Reitz Arena.
Deacon Stretmater, father of 11 who ministered at Howard County parish, dies at 101 Jay Sorgi March 12, 2026 The word “presence” defined the way Deacon Daniel Stretmater ministered, living a life to evoke Christ’s presence through everything he did in his 101 years of life, including actively serving for a quarter-century at St. Louis in Clarksville.
Franciscan Center unveils new partnership to help with water, energy bills Catholic Review Staff March 11, 2026 Continuing its mission to provide outreach to the economically disadvantaged, Baltimore’s Franciscan Center began a new partnership March 5 to provide assistance with water and energy bills.
Mount St. Mary’s alumnus David Ginty wins world’s largest brain research prize Catholic Review Staff March 11, 2026 Dr. David Ginty, a 1984 graduate of Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, has been named a recipient of The Brain Prize, the world’s largest neuroscience research award.
Maryvale grad Allie Weis running Boston Marathon to benefit cancer research Gerry Jackson March 11, 2026 Allie Weis will compete in her first Boston Marathon April 20, running the 130th edition of the iconic event to raise funds for cancer research in honor of her late mother.
Amid measles uptick, infectious diseases specialist says Church recommends vaccination Kate Scanlon March 12, 2026 Amid a spike in measles cases in the U.S., an infectious diseases specialist, who is also a Catholic deacon, told OSV News that the Church “has recommended measles vaccination to safeguard the health of children and families.”
Pope Leo XIV points to St. Joseph as an example of the importance of ‘being present’ Courtney Mares March 12, 2026 Pope Leo XIV has highlighted how St. Joseph, who is never directly quoted in the Bible, is an example for Christians of the importance of “being present.”
Pope Leo XIV names Augustinian prelate as new prefect of charity dicastery Courtney Mares March 12, 2026 Pope Leo XIV has named Spanish Augustinian Bishop Luis Marín de San Martín as the new prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, reassigning Cardinal Konrad Krajewski to serve as archbishop of his home diocese in his native Poland.
U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is failing the Church’s just war test, bishops warn Gina Christian March 12, 2026 Since the start of the U.S. and Israel’s war on Iran, some U.S. Catholic bishops have highlighted Church teaching on what constitutes a “just war” — with one cardinal flatly declaring the current conflict fails to meet the necessary criteria, and is therefore “morally illegitimate.”
Question Corner: Can you use a deconsecrated altar for other purposes? Jenna Marie Cooper March 11, 2026 while a church building that could no longer be used for its original purpose might in some cases lawfully be sold and re-purposed as something like a museum or private residence, this relegation or re-purposing would not affect the status of the altar it once contained.
Yes and no George P. Matysek Jr. March 11, 2026 In the Gospel of St. Matthew, Jesus tells us to let our “yes” mean “yes” and our “no” mean “no,” warning that anything more is from the evil one. Scripture scholars explain that he was condemning the misuse of oaths and calling his followers to live in truth. But I couldn’t help thinking that he was also calling us to something deeper: an integrity of heart.
John Allen, nonpareil Vaticanista George Weigel March 11, 2026 John Allen was the best Anglophone Vaticanista ever, a man of great kindness who graciously helped everyone on that beat who had the sense to counsel with him.
More than a Cup of Coffee (and accepting Lenten interruptions) Rita Buettner March 7, 2026 As we were walking, I saw a man who looked like he was on his way to work. He was carrying a paper coffee cup—a beacon to me on my hunt for coffee.
Fear: Destroyer of Lenten works Elizabeth Scalia March 7, 2026 It is human to be afraid. But this year, in our Lenten disciplines, let us place all of the fears we’re conscious of — or will admit to — into the vast depths of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Christ, who said, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Lk 12:32).
