Maryland is home to more than one million Catholics who work to transform lives every day through parishes, schools, social services, homeless services, senior care, medical care and more. 

"Catholics across Maryland live out their faith every day by serving others, helping to build community, and working to make our state a wonderful place to live," said Jenny Kraska, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference. "Whether it is helping a family in need of rent assistance, medical care, or housing; or running a program like Safe Streets in Baltimore, Maryland Catholics are making an impact."

To share the great work happening across Maryland, the Maryland Catholic Conference created a Catholic Impact statement for each state legislative district. Each Impact details the many ways Catholics are transforming lives in their communities and are available to download from our website.

To download the Catholic Impact for your legislative district, CLICK HERE. 

Monday, Jan. 20 is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and there will be numerous events in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Archdiocese of Washington to commemorate the life of Dr. King and his legacy. 

Baltimore

Friday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

St. Ignatius Catholic Community in Baltimore will screen the movie "Selma." For more information CLICK HERE.

Saturday, Jan. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

St. Ignatius Catholic Community in Baltimore will host a day-retreat for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. remembrance titled "Non-Violence: The Weapon that Heals." For more information CLICK HERE.

Sunday, Jan. 19 after the 10:30 a.m. mass

St. Ignatius Catholic Community in Baltimore will re-dedicate the St. Peter Claver chapel and a new image of the saint as part of the parish's work to atone for the sin of racism that was part of the parish's past. To learn more about this dedication CLICK HERE.

Monday, Jan. 20 at noon  

Bishop Madden will host a Prayer Walk in Baltimore. The event will begin with a gathering at St. Bernardine at 3812 Edmondson Avenue, Baltimore.

Please note that this walk will be during the day at a different time than usual because of the national holiday. There will be a lite meal and fellowship after the walk in Harcum Hall.

To reach the parish call 410-362-8664.

Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m.

Loyola University in Baltimore will host its 27th Annual MLK Convocation in the Reitz Arena. For more information on the event CLICK HERE. 

Washington

The Archdiocese of Washington will host its Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church (3800 Ely Place S.E. Washington, D.C.) on Saturday, January 18.

All are invited to attend. Praise and worship will begin at 3:30 pm featuring the Archdiocese of Washington’s Gospel Mass Choir. Mass celebrated by Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, the first African American archbishop, will begin at 4:00 pm. For more information CLICK HERE.

On Wednesday, Jan. 15, Catholic leaders hosted the first-ever "Faith in Baltimore," a celebration highlighting the impact of the Catholic Church and Catholic services in the City of Baltimore.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore — led by Archbishop William E. Lori, who is president of the Maryland Catholic Conference — hosted the event along with Catholic Charities of Baltimore. The Conference's Executive Director Jenny Kraska was honored to attend along with numerous elected officials and more than 300 people who took part in the celebration. 

"The Church does so much to serve the citizens of Baltimore City and Maryland — from providing housing and free meals, to violence prevention and job training, to services like assistance for seniors and immigrants," Kraska said. "The amount of work being done by the Church to share God's love and be Christ's witness is incredible. This event helped bring a small amount of recognition to the people who do this work in the City, not for the spotlight, but simply because they are Catholic." 

The event included awarding the inaugural Faith in Baltimore Award to Ray Kelly, a native of West Baltimore who turned around his life and committed himself to building a better Baltimore. 

To read the Catholic Review's coverage of the event CLICK HERE.

Save the date! Maryland Catholic Conference will host our first-ever virtual Catholic Day of Action on February 19, 2020.

The virtual Catholic Day of Action will encourage Catholics across Maryland to join together to send messages, make phone call and take other meaningful actions on state issues, from wherever they are that day. 

"We are excited to kick off this new virtual Catholic Day of Action this year and spur even more of our Catholic faithful to get involved on our issues," said Jenny Kraska, executive director of the Conference. "You don't have to give up your evening and drive to Annapolis to be a voice for the work of the Church, you can join us from wherever you are by tweeting, calling, sending emails and engaging in conversations on social media that help us making a difference on many critical issues." 

More details on how you can take part in this virtual event will be coming soon!

To be kept up-to-date on the virtual Catholic Day of Action, make sure you have joined the Catholic Advocacy Network. CLICK HERE to join today.