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., 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
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 for links to diocesan information.
PRAYERS FOR HEALTH CARE
WORKERS
Megan, a nurse in the adult ICU at Ascension St. Agnes Hospital 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.”
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 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
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 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 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
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
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
STAY CONNECTED WITH US!
  
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