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Around the Catholic world ANNAPOLIS, Md. (CNS) — The bishops of Maryland Feb. 28 asked Catholics in their dioceses to keep up the fight against same-sex marriage in their state, saying, "We must not allow our Legislature to redefine marriage." The bishops said in a statement: "The word marriage describes the commitment of a man and a woman to come together for life with the possibility of generating and educating children. This is not to say that some people over the ages have not come together in a variety of ways, physical, financial and social. But these various unions have always had other names because they are not marriage." The statement was signed by Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, Baltimore Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien of Baltimore and Bishop W. Francis Malooly of Wilming-ton, Del. The three church leaders commended "the thousands of Maryland Catholics who have raised their voices in recent weeks in support of our society's foundational institution — the union of one man and one woman in marriage. In addition to their thousands of e-mails, phone calls and visits to legislators,

over 500 Catholics came out last week (Feb. 21) to visit legislators for the Maryland Catholic Conference's Lobby Night." The state Senate passed the same-sex marriage bill Feb. 24 in a 25-21 vote. A full House vote was expected quickly.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI met with the director of the World Food Program to learn about the humanitarian crisis developing on the border of Tunisia and Libya, said a statement distributed by the Vatican. In a private audience March 2, the pope was briefed by Josette Sheeran, who, as head of the United Nations agency, had just returned from a trip to the area. Thousands of people have fled Libya into neighboring Tunisia as forces loyal to Libyan dictator Col. Moammar Gadhafi fight with protesters in the western and eastern parts of the country. Gadhafi's forces have been conducting aerial bombing raids in an effort to repress the protests against his regime. Sheeran said that the pope had asked her for the meeting in order to be informed and to "express his concern for the innocent people trapped in this terrible tragedy." She

expressed thanks for the "invaluable support he continues to give to our work feeding the hungry around the world."

DARBY, Pa. (CNS) — Cardinal John P. Foley, 75, a former editor of The Catholic Standard & Times in Philadelphia and former director of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications at the Vatican, is retiring and resigning from his post as grand master of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem in Rome. He was diagnosed with leukemia and anemia in 2009 and says he is lacking the energy to perform his duties. He has returned to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia permanently, residing at Villa St. Joseph, a residence for retired, infirm and convalescent priests in Darby. "I didn't think it fair for the church to have somebody in a position who couldn't really fulfill the position," he said of his post as grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher. He was appointed to the position in June 2007 after having served as director of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications for 23 years.

Vatican Museums offer hands-on approach to art for the blind, deaf

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican Museums have launched special tours for the deaf and blind. The two-hour tours are free to the hearing- and visually impaired and seek to offer a multi-sensory experience of some of the Museums' most famous works.

The initiative also marks the first opportunity for the deaf in Italy to receive training and work in a museum as an experienced guide rather than solely as an interpreter, said speakers at a news conference March 1. Seven women, five of whom are deaf, received specialized training in art history and archaeology at the Museums so they could work as professional guides for the new tour for the deaf.

One of the new deaf guides, who introduced herself as "Anna," said through an interpreter that she and her new co-workers were happy the new opportunity to work as a professional museum guide "happened at the Vatican Museums."

The tour for the deaf includes stops in the Raphael Rooms, the Sistine Chapel, and visits to the classical statues collection. The guides are fluent in a number of sign languages, including British and French sign languages.

The itinerary for the blind and visually impaired includes a blend of sensory experiences to help the person appreciate a work of art "without making them wish they could see," said Isabella Salandri, who is in charge of the new tours. For example, to examine Michelangelo Merisi Caravaggio's "Deposition From the Cross," visitors first listen to a passage from the Bible explaining the scene in which Christ is taken down from the cross and readied for burial.

In the March 4 Catholic Telegraph

The bishops of Ohio speak out on collective bargaining

Herbs and spices from the Bible add zest to Lenten meals

The U.S. bishops criticize the Obama administration’s withdrawal of support for the Defense of Marriage Act

Discounts on pre-orders of new Roman Missal

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- USCCB Publishing is accepting pre-orders for the altar and chapel editions of the third edition of the Roman Missal, with 25 percent discounts available through June 30. Both the larger altar edition and the more compact chapel edition will be beautifully designed and bound, consistent with USCCB versions of previous liturgical books, and will feature four-color artwork from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. With the 25 percent discounts, pre-ordered altar editions (No. 7-100) will cost $126.75 each and chapel editions (No. 7-192) $86.25 each. (Discounts cannot be combined.) After June 30, the missals will sell for $169 and the chapel edition for $115. The new Roman Missal ritual books, which go into use in the United States on the first Sunday of Advent, Nov. 27, will begin shipping Oct. 3. The USCCB Publishing editions of the Roman Missal may be pre-ordered at www.usccbpublishing.org, using discount code RM-0311. Pre-orders can also be placed by telephone to (800) 235-8722; by e-mail to css@usccb.org; by U.S. mail to 3211 Fourth St. NE, Washington, DC 20017; or by fax to (202) 722-8709.

LPMP in Dayton for Fall 2011

The Dayton classes of the Archdiocese’s Lay Pastoral Ministry Program (LPMP) will begin again in the Fall of 2011 at the Pilarczyk Center on Needmore Road.

LPMP classes are accessible, affordable, and can be integrated into an active lifestyle. Busy adults can study theology and ministry while maintaining current work and family schedules.

For more information, call Sister Nancy McMullen at 937-277-0116 or email her at ngmcm70@sbcglobal.net. Visit on the web at www.athenaeum.edu

4A special Mass for the Sudanese people will be celebrated at 7 p.m., Friday, March 4, at Sacred Heart Chapel of the Comboni Mission Center in Anderson Township.  After the mass Dr. Laki, a native of Sudan, will talk on “The Birth of a New Nation and Their Future Challenges.” For more information call 513-474-4997 or visit http://combonimissionaries.org

6Jesuit Father Guy J. Consolmagno, internationally renowned author, planetary scientist and curator of meteorites at the Vatican, will speak in Makley Hall of St. Patrick Church in Bellefontaine after the 6 p.m. Mass on Sunday, March 6.

Evening Prayer will be sung at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 6, in the chapel of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Mt. Washington. The service, led by Fr. Kenneth Morman, includes psalms, hymns and canticles. Choral music will be sung by the AthenaeumChorale. The public is invited to attend.

9AfterMass, the young adult ministry at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, will hold its annual Ash Wednesday gathering in the Synod Hall on March 9 after the 5:15 p.m. Mass.

4A special Mass for the Sudanese people will be celebrated at 7 p.m., Friday, March 4, at Sacred Heart Chapel of the Comboni Mission Center in Anderson Township.  After the mass Dr. Laki, a native of Sudan, will talk on “The Birth of a New Nation and Their Future Challenges.” For more information call 513-474-4997 or visit http://combonimissionaries.org

6Jesuit Father Guy J. Consolmagno, internationally renowned author, planetary scientist and curator of meteorites at the Vatican, will speak in Makley Hall of St. Patrick Church in Bellefontaine after the 6 p.m. Mass on Sunday, March 6.

Evening Prayer will be sung at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 6, in the chapel of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Mt. Washington. The service, led by Fr. Kenneth Morman, includes psalms, hymns and canticles. Choral music will be sung by the AthenaeumChorale. The public is invited to attend.

9AfterMass, the young adult ministry at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, will hold its annual Ash Wednesday gathering in the Synod Hall on March 9 after the 5:15 p.m. Mass.

Father Raymond Larger will lead a Lenten Prayer Service, which will be followed by a Lenten meal of soup, bread and cheese. For more information, call 513-421-5354. 

The latest 40 Days for Life effort will begin on Ash Wednesday, March 9, and continue through Palm Sunday, April 17. Many parishes will take part as a group. Check out local activities at www.40daysforlife.com/dayton

10Ruah Woods, located on the western side of Cincinnati, is now extending its reach with Theology of the Body classes at Royalmont Academy in Mason. The first classes offered will be Theology of the Body for Teenagers, March 10 to May 26, and Introduction to Theology of the Body, March 22 to May 24. Both classes will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. and cost $25. For more information or to register, go to www.ruahwoods.org

Father Tim Schehr will offer a series on the Lenten Sunday reading at Cedars Auditorium of the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse in Delhi Township, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, March 10, 17, 24 and 31. The cost is $5 for one session, $15 for all four. Pre-registration is required, with a $5 deposit applied to the cost. For more information, call 513-347-5449 or write to spirituality.center@srcharitycinti.org

12 St. Teresa of Avila church in Price Hill is hosting a series of spiritual movies at 7 p.m. in Avila Hall during the Saturday nights of Lent, starting March 12 with “The Bells of St. Mary,” a light-hearted look at

the Catholic Church in the 1940’s with Bing Crosby as Fr. O’Malley. The other dates and films are: March 19 – “Romero,” based on the life of Archbishop Oscar Romero, who defended the poor in El Salvador even to the point of his death; March 26 “The Song of Bernadette,” the beautiful account of Mary’s appearance to St. Bernadette at Lourdes, France; April 2 – “The Robe,” the story of Roman soldier, Marcellus, who was in charge of the Crucifixion and what happened as he received the robe of Jesus; April 9 and 16 (two parts) “The Passion of Christ,” a powerful depiction of the life and passion of Jesus, especially through the eyes of Mary.  There is no cost to attend. Snacks and refreshments will be available to purchase or bring your own.                            

13The APOP (Adoptive Parents Outreach Program) group for Catholic Charities SouthWestern Ohio is hosting a chili cook-off on Sunday, March 13, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Purcell Knights of Columbus Banquet Hall, 3621 Glenmore Ave., Cheviot. Admission is $13 at the door with children under 10 admitted free. All proceeds benefit APOP. The purpose of this group is to provide support for other adopting couples as well as spread adoption awareness.  

15Father Rick Walling will present the course “Jesus” from 6:30 to 9 p.m. March 15, 22, 29 and April 5 in the undercroft of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Newport, Ohio. For more information or to register, call 937-498-1192 or e-mail tnaseman@catholiccincinnati.org

1Theology on Tap is coming to Ft. Loramie. The lecture and discussion series for people in their 20's and 30's, single or married, is sponsored by the Archdiocese and Catholic parishes in the area. All young adults are welcome.

18Dominican Sister. Carol Gaeke, will conduct a weekend Lenten retreat for women, “Wisdom Guides from God’s Story,” from 7 p.m. Friday, March 18, to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 20, at the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse in Delhi Township. The fee is $160, including meals, for those staying overnight and $75, also including meals, for commuters. There is a $25 non-refundable deposit required, which is applied to the total fee. For more information, call 513-347-5449 or write to spirituality.center@srcharitycinti.org

19Transitional Deacon Adam Puntel will speak about St. Joseph on his feast day, March 19, at a meeting of Friends of Jesus, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at All Saints Parish Center, Kenwood. Friends of Jesus is a group for adults (age 18 and over) with developmental disabilities sponsored by the parishes of All Saints, St. Columban, Good Shepherd, St. Margaret of York, St. Philip the Apostle and St. Vincent Ferrer. New members are always welcome but should register first with Jane Callan before attending. RSVP at 513-793-3546.

4A special Mass for the Sudanese people will be celebrated at 7 p.m., Friday, March 4, at Sacred Heart Chapel of the Comboni Mission Center in Anderson Township.  After the mass Dr. Laki, a native of Sudan, will talk on “The Birth of a New Nation and Their Future Challenges.” For more information call 513-474-4997 or visit http://combonimissionaries.org

6Jesuit Father Guy J. Consolmagno, internationally renowned author, planetary scientist and curator of meteorites at the Vatican, will speak in Makley Hall of St. Patrick Church in Bellefontaine after the 6 p.m. Mass on Sunday, March 6.

Evening Prayer will be sung at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 6, in the chapel of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Mt. Washington. The service, led by Fr. Kenneth Morman, includes psalms, hymns and canticles. Choral music will be sung by the AthenaeumChorale. The public is invited to attend.

9AfterMass, the young adult ministry at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, will hold its annual Ash Wednesday gathering in the Synod Hall on March 9 after the 5:15 p.m. Mass.

4A special Mass for the Sudanese people will be celebrated at 7 p.m., Friday, March 4, at Sacred Heart Chapel of the Comboni Mission Center in Anderson Township.  After the mass Dr. Laki, a native of Sudan, will talk on “The Birth of a New Nation and Their Future Challenges.” For more information call 513-474-4997 or visit http://combonimissionaries.org

6Jesuit Father Guy J. Consolmagno, internationally renowned author, planetary scientist and curator of meteorites at the Vatican, will speak in Makley Hall of St. Patrick Church in Bellefontaine after the 6 p.m. Mass on Sunday, March 6.

Evening Prayer will be sung at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 6, in the chapel of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Mt. Washington. The service, led by Fr. Kenneth Morman, includes psalms, hymns and canticles. Choral music will be sung by the AthenaeumChorale. The public is invited to attend.

9AfterMass, the young adult ministry at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, will hold its annual Ash Wednesday gathering in the Synod Hall on March 9 after the 5:15 p.m. Mass.

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