The Church in Maryland

The Newman Center at Towson University provides a community for students to pray, study, and share meals in a white farmhouse located across from the campus. Known by students as the “White House on the Hill,” the building serves as a center for Bible studies, Mass, and quiet reflection.

A team of campus ministers, FOCUS missionaries, staff, and volunteers supports the ministry. These individuals accompany students through their college years to help them grow in faith and service. The Archdiocese of Baltimore notes that the center aims to provide a sense of community for young adults during their time at the university.

The romantic fantasy film Wicker, directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, adapts Ursula Wills’ 2008 short story The Wicker Husband. According to a review by Kurt Jensen for the Catholic Review, the film serves as a fable regarding loneliness and the fulfillment found in human companionship.

Set in an imaginary village where residents are identified by their occupations, the story follows a Fisherwoman, played by Olivia Colman, who seeks to avoid the humiliation of local wedding rituals. She commissions a Basket Weaver, played by Peter Dinklage, to construct a husband for her as a joke. The Basket Weaver succeeds in creating a living, empathetic man, played by Alexander Skarsgard, who proves to be moral and attentive to the Fisherwoman's needs.

A local bishop appoints priests to the role of exorcist, according to the Catholic Review. There is no specific liturgical ritual or special ceremony used to confer this office today.

While the ministry of exorcism belongs to the diocesan bishop, he may assign the task to a priest. A prerequisite for serving as an exorcist is ordination to the priesthood. The most recent rite of exorcism notes that the office is committed to a priest either stably or for a specific period.

Catholic Charities of Baltimore has appointed Annemarie Reilly as its new chief strategy officer. Reilly will begin her work in this newly created position on Nov. 16.

In this role, Reilly will guide strategic planning and execution, manage organizational development, and work with leaders to increase stakeholder engagement. According to an agency news release, she will help translate the mission and long-term priorities of Catholic Charities into coordinated action across the organization.

Reilly joins the agency after working with Baltimore-based Catholic Relief Services. She most recently served as executive vice president for global operations at Catholic Relief Services, where she oversaw human resources, supply chain management, information and communications technology, legal, strategy, and organizational development. Her previous international roles included service in El Salvador, Haiti, Burundi, Liberia, Kenya, South Africa, and Zambia.

Tammy Mellema, the office administrator at New Cathedral Cemetery in Baltimore, uses her genealogical research skills to fulfill family history requests through the cemetery's website.

Mellema has conducted genealogical research for more than 20 years. To complete requests, which sometimes date back to the 1800s, she uses cemetery archival files, Baltimore County Genealogy Society records, and online databases such as Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com, and Newspapers.com. Her research involves examining death certificates, census reports, obituaries, and historical newspaper articles.

Mellema reports completing 95 percent of the genealogy requests she receives. She seeks to identify not only names and dates but also the connections between family members.

Rita Buettner suggests using a prayer basket to remember the deceased during the month of November.

Each year at the start of November, Buettner writes the names of deceased loved ones on slips of paper and places them in a basket. Every morning throughout the month, she draws one name to serve as the daily prayer intention. When possible, she contacts friends to inform them that their loved one was included in the day's prayers.

The science-fiction drama Klara and the Sun, directed by Taika Waititi and co-written by Dahvi Waller, explores themes of love, grief, and individual uniqueness. Based on the 2021 novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, the film is set in a mildly dystopian version of contemporary society.

The story follows Josie, a socially isolated teenager whose mother, Chrissie, intends to purchase an Artificial Friend to serve as a companion. Josie selects Klara, an outdated robot model, to be her companion. Designed to begin with the intellect of a toddler, Klara learns about life from Josie while witnessing the emotional tensions and health struggles within the family.

John Mulderig of the Catholic Review notes that the film offers a complex treatment of faith that requires careful discernment from adult viewers.

Elizabeth Scalia of the Catholic Review reflects on the transition from October to November and the spiritual lessons found in the changing seasons. She notes that while the shift toward November can cause personal irritability, the liturgical season offers opportunities for prayerful remembrance of spiritual ancestors.

Scalia connects the natural movement of autumn to the writings of Saint Hildegard von Bingen and Saint Teresa of Ávila. She uses Saint Hildegard’s description of herself as a feather on the breath of God to suggest that Christians should move where God directs them. She also references Saint Teresa of Ávila’s teaching that individuals are exactly where they are meant to be to encourage trust during difficult circumstances.

Father Michael Roach, a retired pastor and former professor of Church history, recounted a story regarding a deceased Passionist priest at St. Joseph’s Passionist Monastery in Irvington.

According to Father Roach, monks at the monastery heard footsteps in the corridors late at night following the death of a respected priest more than sixty years ago. The community investigated the noises and found a list of Mass stipends for intentions that had not yet been fulfilled in the deceased priest's trunk. Father Roach stated that peace returned to the monastery once the promised Masses were offered.

Father Roach, who is 80 years old, has collected various such stories over several decades. Dr. Matthew J. Dugandzic, academic dean at St. Mary’s Seminary and University, noted that in theological terms, a ghost refers to a disembodied soul.

The Catholic Review provides a summary of films available for streaming or scheduled for television broadcast during the week of Nov. 8.

The 1960 thriller Psycho is available on Netflix. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the film follows a private detective tracking a missing person to a motel. The Catholic Review classifies the film as A-III for adults due to suspense, sexual references, and brief violence. The sequels Psycho II and Psycho III, along with the 1998 remake, are also available for streaming.

The film Thief is available on Amazon Prime. The story follows a professional safecracker attempting to retire after a long prison sentence.

The film Street Fighter, directed by Kitao Sakurai and T.J. Fixman, follows two estranged friends, Ryu and Ken, who are drawn into a tournament organized by Chun-Li. According to a review by John Mulderig for the Catholic Review, the martial arts fantasy depicts Ryu as a former champion living in seclusion and Ken as a declining celebrity. The plot involves a dictator named Bison who attempts to steal the energy that fueled Ryu's career by staging the competition.

Mulderig notes that the film contains frequent nonlethal but gory violence, instances of torture, and occasional sexually themed humor. The review also identifies fleeting nudity, profanity, and rough language. While the script includes brief warnings against envy and egotism, the reviewer characterizes the adaptation as mostly macho nonsense and suggests the content is best suited for adults.

The National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg held its Back from the Dead cemetery walk on October 9. The event featured ten actors portraying saints, martyrs, and souls in heaven and purgatory to share stories of their lives.

Father Brian Nolan, pastor of St. Ignatius in Ijamsville, created the dramatic tours to provide an alternative to traditional lectures about faith. He developed the program to teach about topics such as purgatory and the devil in a way that avoids the themes found in secular haunted attractions.

Rob Judge, executive director of the shrine, said the tours are intended to be uplifting and to help participants reflect on important aspects of life. Father Nolan described the walks as a form of prayer and meditation designed to teach the faith through an engaging experience in the cemetery.

Archbishop William E. Lori delivered a homily during a Votive Mass of Our Lady of Palestine held at the Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh, N.C., on October 24, 2026. The liturgy was part of an investiture mass for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

In his homily, Archbishop Lori connected the gathering to the assembly of the Apostles, including Saint Simon the Zealot, during the breaking of bread. He identified Mary, the mother of Jesus, as the daughter of Zion and the Queen of Palestine.

Archbishop William E. Lori delivered a homily during a vigil ceremony at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh on October 23, 2026. The ceremony included the assumption of the office of lieutenant, the conferral of promotions for the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, and an exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

In his homily, Archbishop Lori spoke about the biblical figures Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. He noted that while these men were prominent leaders who secretly followed Jesus, they publicly identified with him following his death. The Archbishop described how the burial of Jesus with spices and linen cloths served as an attestation to his kingship despite his condemnation. He concluded by stating that the ceremony served as a mystical pilgrimage to the tomb of Jesus in Jerusalem.

Christopher Gunty, host of Catholic Review Radio, interviewed two authors regarding different aspects of Catholic life in a new episode of the program.

Tom Corcoran, a pastoral associate at Church of the Nativity in Timonium, discussed his book, “Jesus, the Rich Young Man and the Meaning of Life.” Corcoran examined the Gospel account of the rich young man to address how worldly success and possessions can obstruct a person's relationship with God. He suggested habits for spiritual growth such as repentance, generosity, and detachment.

Jeff Lukich discussed his book, “The Long Way Home: A Catholic Return to Faith.” Lukich described his experience of leaving the Church for nearly 40 years before returning to Mass on Christmas Eve 2022. He spoke about the role of shame and uncertainty in preventing people from returning to the faith and recommended reconciliation, the Eucharist, and finding a welcoming parish as ways to reconnect with the Church.

The film Clayface follows Matt, a man who loses his career and wealth due to facial injuries and corruption by his business manager, Frank, and local organized crime. After being left in poverty, Matt receives an experimental therapy from Dr. Caitlyn Corr involving nanocells controlled by artificial intelligence.

While the treatment initially restores his appearance, the effects are temporary. Following an overdose of the formula, Matt becomes semi-immortal with the ability to heal instantly. However, the nanocells cause him to mutate, allowing him to transform into the likeness of anyone who has wronged him when he becomes angry.

Matt chooses to pursue revenge against his victims rather than using his condition to rebuild his life. Although Dr. Corr attempts to help him, Matt remains driven by his anger.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel School defeated Archbishop Curley High School 30-7 on Oct. 24 at Under Armour Stadium in Baltimore. The game served as the inaugural PIE Homecoming Classic, held during the 30th anniversary of the Partners In Excellence scholarship program.

The Cougars held a 14-0 lead at halftime and finished with the 30-7 victory. This win marks the first time Mount Carmel has defeated the Friars in five attempts and likely secures a spot in the upcoming MIAA B Conference playoffs.

Mount Carmel coach Josh Ward said the team wants to finish its remaining two regular season games against Pallotti and Annapolis Area Christian School to secure home field advantage for the playoffs. The Essex squad improved to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the league.