With the biggest two days of celebration and costume parades left, the famous pre-Lenten “Carnevale” of Venice was canceled as were Ash Wednesday services and even funeral Masses throughout the diocese.

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Feb. 24 that in its next term it will examine if the city of Philadelphia can exclude a Catholic social services agency from the city’s foster care program because the agency will not accept same-sex couples as foster parents.

Perhaps we can go beyond turning down treats and consider centering our Lenten promises on honoring God properly maintaining the earthly vessel he has provided for us to do his work.

Hundreds of people rallied through the streets of Annapolis Feb. 24 for the annual Maryland March for Life, urging more state-level restrictions on abortion and opposing a bill that would make doctor-assisted suicide legal in the state.

Pope Francis formally recognized a miracle attributed to the intercession of Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian teenager who the pope has said is a role model for young men and women today.