May 26, 2020 — Annapolis, MD

OUTDOOR ROSARY FEEDS HUNGER FOR PRAYER



Sally Rico was looking for a new way to keep parishioners connected with their faith after churches closed as part of the statewide COVID-19 precautions. Her idea, an outdoor, walkable rosary, soon went viral on social media.

Rico, coordinator for religious education at St. Lawrence Martyr parish in Hanover, Md. <[link removed]>, and Father Victor Scocco, OSST, the pastor, noticed that parishioners would park outside the church to say their prayers, while neighbors, who now were working from home, were using the park side of the 29-acre church property for exercise.

The parish, which is the faith home for nearly 800 families, has a circular driveway that could be blocked off while the building was closed. The idea for a walkable rosary was born.

The challenge was how to make it happen. READ MORE HERE <[link removed]>

PREPARING TO RETURN TO MASS



Public Masses and other spiritual activities are beginning to resume across Maryland, but timelines vary based on parish circumstance and precautions in local jurisdictions. 

Please check with your parish or parish website regarding your parish.

Parishioners can expect changes as we begin to gather together, including limits on the number of people at a Mass, seating, face coverings, and changes at Communion. Please see our COVID-19 resource page <[link removed]> for links to diocesan information.

PRAYERS FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS



Megan, a nurse in the adult ICU at Ascension St. Agnes Hospital <[link removed]> in Baltimore, recorded a video thank you to Maryland’s Catholic community: “We are encouraged and we are grateful. We ask that you continue to pray for us and for our patients.”

- Watch: Megan's video message <[link removed]> <[link removed]>
- Pray: Blessing in Time of Pandemic <[link removed]>

FULFILLING A HUNGER FOR FOOD



Catholic ministries continue to fill the food gaps for families that have been hard hit with job loss, as well as seniors and medically-fragile residents who cannot easily get groceries. To meet the need, Catholic Charities and parishes have been Expanding partnerships and food distribution opportunities

Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori blessed food on May 16 at Camden Yards in an event organized by Del. Brooke Lierman (D-46) in partnership with chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen.

In the Archdiocese of Washington, Capuchin Brother Andrew Corriente, winner of the televised competition, The Great American Baking Show, baked 1,600 cookies for meals distributed by Catholic Charities <[link removed]> last week.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington also has held large drive-through food distributions in Gaithersburg, Hyattsville, and Temple Hills. The next one is scheduled for Friday, May 29, at St. Mary of the Mills in Laurel.

Meanwhile, St. Francis International School and St. Camillus parish in Silver Spring have expanded their food outreach in hard-hit Langley Park with new partnerships <[link removed]> with the National Guard, the county, other parishes, and community organizations such as World Central Kitchen. Celebrity Check José Andres was on-site last week to help. See St. Francis International principal Toby Harkleroad in this video <[link removed]> about the difficult situation, where 20,000 people, many in financial distress, live in one square mile.

PRIMARY ELECTIONS ARE JUNE 2

See the MCC Candidate Survey Results Before Voting



Before you vote in the June 2 primary, check our elections page <[link removed]> for key dates, candidate survey responses, and what to do if you have not yet received your ballot.

BOOST SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE NOW JULY 15



The State of Maryland has extended the deadline to apply for scholarship funds from the Broadening Options and Opportunities Today (BOOST) Scholarship Program to July 15, 2020. BOOST will provide $7.5 million in tuition assistance for the 2020-21 school year to income-eligible Maryland families who choose a Catholic or other nonpublic school for their children. You must have filed your taxes for 2019 to apply. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE <[link removed]>

GET INVOLVED

JOIN THE CATHOLIC ADVOCACY NETWORK

Learn more about the Catholic Advocacy Network and how you can take action on important issues in Maryland: CLICK HERE <[link removed]>

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

The Maryland Catholic Conference is still looking for volunteers to serve as Parish Legislative Ambassadors for some parishes. If you are passionate about the work we do and want to help us speak up on important issues in Maryland, please sign up to volunteer!

To sign-up to volunteer CLICK HERE <[link removed]>

STAY CONNECTED WITH US!

<[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]>



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