Deacon Jack Ames, Project Rachel volunteer and educator, dies at 74 Archdiocese of Baltimore couples share stories of love that lasts a lifetime Catholic advocates speak out as ICE data shows just 14 percent arrested have violent criminal records Pope Leo XIV prays at Vatican’s Lourdes grotto for the sick on World Day of the Sick Little Sisters of Poor ask for gifts of a little bling to help others Local News Deacon Jack Ames, Project Rachel volunteer and educator, dies at 74 Jay Sorgi February 12, 2026 Deacon John “Jack” Ames Jr., who helped the healing pathway of hundreds of people who have endured the post-abortion journey and who served in ministry at St. Agnes in Catonsville, died Feb. 8. He was 74. Archdiocese of Baltimore couples share stories of love that lasts a lifetime Katie V. Jones February 12, 2026 St. Valentine’s Day may be known for flowers, cards and chocolates, but for some couples, it is also a moment to reflect on decades of shared love and commitment. In the Archdiocese of Baltimore, several couples who have been married 60 years or more shared their stories of meeting, building families and nurturing faith together. Little Sisters of Poor ask for gifts of a little bling to help others Katie V. Jones February 11, 2026 This St. Valentine’s Day, the Little Sisters of the Poor at St. Martin’s Home for the Aged in Catonsville are hoping for a ring – but a gem or even a gold or silver necklace would be welcome, too. Mount 2000 attracts more than 1,100 for eucharistic retreat Dominic Wilkinson February 11, 2026 Incense rose, voices sang and young hearts were turned toward Christ at Mount 2000, the yearly eucharistic retreat for high schoolers hosted by Mount St. Mary’s Seminary. More Local News World News Olympic skater aims to honor Italy’s Catholic culture with ‘Conclave’ program OSV News February 12, 2026 “The pope is dead.” These words will dramatically ring out across Olympic ice as Italian figure skater Daniel Grassl begins his long program to music from the movie “Conclave” in the men’s figure skating final event Feb. 13, which will determine who stands on the podium at the Milan Cortina Games. Pope supports solidarity with immigrants in U.S.; Catholics must stand together, archbishop says Carol Glatz February 12, 2026 All Catholics are called to stand together by reaching out to their brothers and sisters in the faith of all ethnicities, especially those of Hispanic heritage, Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of Portland, Ore., said. Cardinal Fernández proposes path of theological dialogue with SSPX toward full communion Courtney Mares February 12, 2026 The Vatican’s doctrine chief proposed a path of theological dialogue with the Society of St. Pius X, the traditionalist Catholic group threatening to defy Rome by ordaining bishops without papal approval, during a meeting at the Vatican on Feb. 12. Cuban bishops postpone ‘ad limina’ visit amid fuel shortage crisis Junno Arocho Esteves February 12, 2026 The bishops of Cuba have postponed their planned “ad limina” visit to Rome after government authorities announced that airlines could no longer refuel due to U.S. tariff threats against countries supplying oil to the island nation. More World News Commentary A Birmingham jail Effie Caldarola February 12, 2026 Rev. King’s 7,000-word response, “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” written in the margins of a newspaper and smuggled out by his attorney, has become a classic of the Civil Rights Movement and a good reread during Black History Month. What a surprise Rita Buettner February 12, 2026 Even with our best plans, life is full of surprises. Whether they bring joy or sorrow, pleasure or pain, light or darkness, they offer us an opportunity to grow in love and relationship with God and others who walk life’s journey with us. Question Corner: Why is it a problem for the SSPX to ordain new bishops? Jenna Marie Cooper February 11, 2026 SSPX’s proposed episcopal ordinations are a problem because ordaining new bishops without the permission of the pope (technically called a “mandate”) is gravely injurious to Christian unity. Might does not always make right, or even sense George Weigel February 11, 2026 I do not agree with those who claim that Mr. Miller’s chest-thumping effectively gave Vladimir Putin carte blanche to conquer Ukraine (and Georgia, Moldova, the Baltic states, and chunks of Poland and Norway), while giving the green light to Xi Jinping to ingest Taiwan. With Sheen beatification moving forward, can Church learn from unfortunate episode? Michael R. Heinlein February 9, 2026 No matter the obstacles, internally or externally, Sheen’s virtue developed and deepened. He grew holier throughout his life, no doubt strengthened by both his own sufferings in the Church and battling his own personal shortcomings, but also on account of habits and practices which nurtured and intensified his faith like the daily holy hour to which he committed as a young priest. More Commentary Featured Video A look at Pope Leo’s Angelus prayer Feb. 8.
Deacon Jack Ames, Project Rachel volunteer and educator, dies at 74 Jay Sorgi February 12, 2026 Deacon John “Jack” Ames Jr., who helped the healing pathway of hundreds of people who have endured the post-abortion journey and who served in ministry at St. Agnes in Catonsville, died Feb. 8. He was 74.
Archdiocese of Baltimore couples share stories of love that lasts a lifetime Katie V. Jones February 12, 2026 St. Valentine’s Day may be known for flowers, cards and chocolates, but for some couples, it is also a moment to reflect on decades of shared love and commitment. In the Archdiocese of Baltimore, several couples who have been married 60 years or more shared their stories of meeting, building families and nurturing faith together.
Little Sisters of Poor ask for gifts of a little bling to help others Katie V. Jones February 11, 2026 This St. Valentine’s Day, the Little Sisters of the Poor at St. Martin’s Home for the Aged in Catonsville are hoping for a ring – but a gem or even a gold or silver necklace would be welcome, too.
Mount 2000 attracts more than 1,100 for eucharistic retreat Dominic Wilkinson February 11, 2026 Incense rose, voices sang and young hearts were turned toward Christ at Mount 2000, the yearly eucharistic retreat for high schoolers hosted by Mount St. Mary’s Seminary.
Olympic skater aims to honor Italy’s Catholic culture with ‘Conclave’ program OSV News February 12, 2026 “The pope is dead.” These words will dramatically ring out across Olympic ice as Italian figure skater Daniel Grassl begins his long program to music from the movie “Conclave” in the men’s figure skating final event Feb. 13, which will determine who stands on the podium at the Milan Cortina Games.
Pope supports solidarity with immigrants in U.S.; Catholics must stand together, archbishop says Carol Glatz February 12, 2026 All Catholics are called to stand together by reaching out to their brothers and sisters in the faith of all ethnicities, especially those of Hispanic heritage, Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of Portland, Ore., said.
Cardinal Fernández proposes path of theological dialogue with SSPX toward full communion Courtney Mares February 12, 2026 The Vatican’s doctrine chief proposed a path of theological dialogue with the Society of St. Pius X, the traditionalist Catholic group threatening to defy Rome by ordaining bishops without papal approval, during a meeting at the Vatican on Feb. 12.
Cuban bishops postpone ‘ad limina’ visit amid fuel shortage crisis Junno Arocho Esteves February 12, 2026 The bishops of Cuba have postponed their planned “ad limina” visit to Rome after government authorities announced that airlines could no longer refuel due to U.S. tariff threats against countries supplying oil to the island nation.
A Birmingham jail Effie Caldarola February 12, 2026 Rev. King’s 7,000-word response, “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” written in the margins of a newspaper and smuggled out by his attorney, has become a classic of the Civil Rights Movement and a good reread during Black History Month.
What a surprise Rita Buettner February 12, 2026 Even with our best plans, life is full of surprises. Whether they bring joy or sorrow, pleasure or pain, light or darkness, they offer us an opportunity to grow in love and relationship with God and others who walk life’s journey with us.
Question Corner: Why is it a problem for the SSPX to ordain new bishops? Jenna Marie Cooper February 11, 2026 SSPX’s proposed episcopal ordinations are a problem because ordaining new bishops without the permission of the pope (technically called a “mandate”) is gravely injurious to Christian unity.
Might does not always make right, or even sense George Weigel February 11, 2026 I do not agree with those who claim that Mr. Miller’s chest-thumping effectively gave Vladimir Putin carte blanche to conquer Ukraine (and Georgia, Moldova, the Baltic states, and chunks of Poland and Norway), while giving the green light to Xi Jinping to ingest Taiwan.
With Sheen beatification moving forward, can Church learn from unfortunate episode? Michael R. Heinlein February 9, 2026 No matter the obstacles, internally or externally, Sheen’s virtue developed and deepened. He grew holier throughout his life, no doubt strengthened by both his own sufferings in the Church and battling his own personal shortcomings, but also on account of habits and practices which nurtured and intensified his faith like the daily holy hour to which he committed as a young priest.
