What was the big story of 2010?

VIDEO REPORT: Mount St. Mary’s Seminary is booming

The Jan. 6 issue of The Catholic Review will feature a vocations story about an enrollment boom at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitburg. The nation’s second-oldest Catholic seminary is putting up some impressive numbers and producing priests known for their passion and commitment to the church. Look for the story next month. In the meantime, check out this companion video report:

Hagerstown parishioners step up to the collection plate

Even in a difficult economy, parishioners of St. Mary in Hagerstown are stepping up to support their church.

One year after their pastor, Father J. Collin Poston, spoke at all the weekend Masses about the real need for increased giving,  donations spiked dramatically. The parish recently reported that for the 11 months ended Oct. 31, St. Mary’s offertory was $598,898, compared to $495,411 for the same 11 months of the prior year — an increase of 20.9 percent!  That’s even more generous than what the Washington County parishioners promised to donate a year ago when Father Poston asked them to complete commitment pledges.

Kudos to the good people of St. Mary. They’re just one more example of the big-hearted spirit of Catholics in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

For more on St. Mary, check out a recent parish profile in The Catholic Review by Jennifer Williams.

Archbishop O’Brien issues special message

CR photo/Owen Sweeney III

The leader of the Premier See has a Thanksgiving Day message for his flock:

With gratitude to our Heavenly Father, we give thanks this day for the many blessings He bestows on us, among them:
The blessing of family: inspired of the Holy Family of Jesus, we embrace the sacred institute of marriage and the blessings of children, which God grants to husbands and wives as a symbol of their love and disciples to carry the Good News of His love to all nations;
The blessing of love: in the example of Jesus, we show charity to our neighbor, friend and stranger alike, with special attention to those who are marginalized and who suffer due to poverty, hunger, violence or drugs.  To these, ours is the face of Jesus. May we always reflect His love and charity; and
The blessing of faith: it is the underpinning of all we are and all we do.  Unwavering in our faith in God, the Church —through its priests and dedicate laity–share this gift through the work of its parishes, schools and charitable institutions.
On this Thanksgiving Day and throughout the year, may we be mindful of our many blessings from God, and seek others with whom to share them.

Tap into Your Faith

There’s a great group of Catholic young adults that meets every Tuesday night at the Greene Turtle in Fells Point as part of the six-week Tap into Your Faith speakers series. 

Tonight’s speaker is Philip Rosensteel, founder of Wired Different Media, Inc. and a graduate of Franciscan University in Steubenville.  He’ll give a personal testimony on mercy.

Lots of other great speakers are coming up. 

Vicki & Syl Schieber, whose daughter was raped and murdered, will speak next Tuesday on forgiveness. They will also share their opposition to the death penalty. 

Baltimore City Fire Chief James S. Clack will appear Dec. 14, talking about his journey into the Catholic faith, life-and-death experiences in the field and his role as a deacon at Sacred Heart of Jesus in Highlandtown.

The TAP events get started with a “happy half hour” at 7 p.m., followed by a talk at 7:30 p.m.

Check out the TAP Facebook page.

Let’s get going

A narthex is the main gathering area or lobby of a church. It’s where conversation takes place, bringing together  people of all ages and backgrounds.

That’s what this blog aspires to be — a spot where you can join a conversation about news and happenings related to the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Catholic world at large.  

Stay with The Narthex for inspirational posts about people who live their faith every day. You’ll also get a frontline perspective on archdiocesan news you won’t find anywhere else.

I have to give a shout out to Matt Palmer, my good friend and colleague at The Catholic Review.  He came up with the name for this blog.  It’s the perfect fit for what I hope to accomplish here.  I hope this blog will be as fun as it is informational.

Let’s get going.