The solemn reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral put Paris in the center of the Catholic world on the evening of Dec. 7 as the archbishop of France’s capital struck the magnificent door with his pastoral staff, marking the moment of the iconic Catholic church’s rebirth.

Father McAndrews, who died Nov. 23 at age 96, is largely credited with putting the all-boys school on a path during his presidency (1979-98) to where it now is honored routinely as one of the best private educational institutions in Maryland.

Moments after Pope Francis placed red hats on the heads of 21 new cardinals, the newest members of the College of Cardinal, many far from their places of ministry, were united with friends, family and their flock to celebrate.

Becoming a cardinal is an insistent call to put Jesus at the center of one’s life, to love the poor as he did and to strengthen the bonds of unity within the Catholic Church, Pope Francis said as he created 21 new cardinals from 17 nations.

It was the feast of Christ the King — Sunday, Nov. 24 — and excited yet hushed murmurs of expectation rippled through the worshippers assembled for vespers at Christendom College’s Christ the King Chapel in Front Royal.