Basilica

A new campaign to coax ordinary, camera-shy Baltimoreans into making video tributes to their city has already found a taker: Molly Shattuck. A video starring the retired Ravens cheerleader and wife of Constellation Energy CEO Mayo Shattuck popped up on the city tourism Web site the other day -- just as tourism officials announced an effort to promote Baltimore with independent videos. The "Visit My Baltimore" campaign claims to be looking for unpolished, YouTube-y authenticity. What they got in the Shattuck video were slick production values and, at the start anyway, a featured activity unavailable to the average mortal, much less the average tourist: professional cheerleading.

On March 21, 2007, Shirley A. Facelo (nee Harmony), recently of Miami, FL, and prior longtime resident of Timonium, MD passed away after a long illness. Shirley is the beloved wife of Marino R. Facelo, M.D.; devoted mother of John Facelo, Gregory Facelo and Patricia Chester; dear grandmother of Brittany and Jessica Facelo, and William and Allison Chester. Visitation and Funeral Mass will be held at St. John The Evangelist Parish, 13305 Long Green Pike, Hydes, MD 21082 on Tuesday, March 27. Visitation is from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m., followed immediately by the Mass at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of lowers, donations may be made to the Basilica Historic Trust of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, "In Memory of Shirley A. Facelo".

They've put the "grand" back in New York's Grand Central Terminal. They've created the immigration museum at Ellis Island. They've extended the life of such landmarks as Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and George Washington's Mount Vernon.Now, two of the country's top preservation architects are joining forces to guide restoration of the first Roman Catholic cathedral in North America -- Baltimore's Basilica of the Assumption.The Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust has selected Beyer Blinder Belle of New York City and John G. Waite Associates of Albany, N.Y., to begin the first phase of a multimillion-dollar project to restore and conserve the neoclassical landmark.

Edward C. Mackie, 74, a trial lawyer who practiced in downtown Baltimore for 44 years, died Monday of cancer at his Guilford home.Known for his gentlemanly courtroom demeanor, Mr. Mackie was a well-known figure in the local insurance industry, whose interests he defended during his long career."

Anxious to "conserve and renew" its most significant architectural treasure, the Archdiocese of Baltimore is preparing to completely restore the Basilica of the Assumption, the nation's first Roman Catholic cathedral.The Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust, a nonprofit group formed to maintain and protect the neoclassical landmark on Cathedral at Mulberry streets, has invited seven of the nation's top preservation architects to submit proposals for guiding its restoration.After an architect is selected and a master plan is developed, the trust will move ahead with the restoration work, expected to cost at least $5 million.

With its capital campaign passing the $100 million mark, the Archdiocese of Baltimore has disbursed the first $10 million to pay for projects including maintenance for inner-city schools, restoration of the Basilica of the Assumption and land for a new parish in Anne Arundel County.The "Heritage of Hope" campaign, which started in the spring of 1996 and winds up in mid-December, has so far raised $107 million, far surpassing the original goal of $80 million. It is the largest fund-raising effort in the history of the archdiocese and its first capital campaign in more than 30 years.

The homeless man stabbed under the portico at the Basilica of the Assumption Sunday morning has yet to be publicly identified by Baltimore police, but his death is raising concerns about how the city treats people who have no place to live.Coming amid complaints from downtown business owners that a soup kitchen next to the national shrine on Cathedral Street encourages crime, the killing of the 42-year-old man has become a stark reminder of the complex debate ahead."It just really brings it home that we have a problem in this city with inadequate facilities for the homeless," said Robert Lancelotta Jr., executive director of the Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust.

Six princes of the Roman Catholic Church gathered yesterday in Baltimore to raise money for Catholic University and to recall this city's key role in its founding.The American cardinals, who lead the nation's major archdioceses, concelebrated Mass at the Basilica of the Assumption before attending the $1,000-a-plate American Cardinals Dinner at the Baltimore Convention Center.The fund-raiser, which was attended by more than 1,200 people, raised more than $1 million for scholarships at the Catholic University -- the 6,000-student liberal arts institution in Washington.

James DuSel's biography states that he was educated as a classicist and taught himself photography beginning at age 14, more than three decades ago. His subject is architecture, and a group of his works, titled "Scenes from a Built Environment," is on view at Resurgam. If the photo here, of the Basilica of the Assumption, is a typical example, DuSel doesn't go for the usual facade shot. Here he captures part of the building, including the famous dome, from such an angle that one notices details that might have been overlooked before.

IT HAS LONG BEEN MY contention that spectacular urban upheaval -- a fire or some sprawling accident -- is a occasion not only for gawking but also for learning something about the character of a place.Baltimore witnessed just such an event last weekend when a huge sinkhole opened at Park Avenue and Franklin Street, leading to a gas main explosion that shook Mount Vernon out of a damp November morning's sleep.In the course of covering this story, I could not help but notice some of the hallmarks of human behavior, Baltimore style.

On July 18, 2009, DOLORES J. (nee Jakubowski) BAUBLITZ; beloved wife of the late Columbus O. Baublitz; devoted mother and mother-in-law to Donald and Bonnie Baublitz, Ronald and Karen Baublitz, Michael and Jacqueline Baublitz, Joseph and Susan Baublitz, Carol and John Hipp, Kathleen Baublitz, Barbara and Charles Geis, Anna and David Fayette, and Trish and Greg Leese. Also survived by 25 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, two sisters and two brothers. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 A.M. on Tuesday, July 21 at Sacred Heart Basilica, 30 Basilica Drive, Hanover, PA. Interment in Conewago Chapel Cemetery.

For religious leaders, it's a spiritual oasis near the heart of the city. For nature lovers, it's a much-needed green space, open to all. For those who value historic architecture, it symbolizes the failure of the preservation process in Baltimore. Even though it covers no more ground than a tennis court, it's hard to think of another public space with the ability to trigger so many conflicting reactions as the Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden that was dedicated last week. The $1.5 million garden was built as a complement to the recently restored Basilica of the Assumption, which occupies the same block in Baltimore's Cathedral Hill district.

WASHINGTON -- Linda Clancy stuffed a shopping bag with rosary beads, crosses and T-shirts at the bustling national basilica gift shop yesterday, sheepishly admitting that she shattered her souvenir budget for the visit of Pope Benedict XVI. "I bought about $200 more than I thought I would," said Clancy, 49, who traveled from Tulsa, Okla., for the papal celebration. Tourism and transportation officials are bracing for thousands of visitors like Clancy who will descend on the capital this week, hoping that money spent for meals, lodging and trinkets will compensate for the jammed roads, no-vacancy parking lots and packed Metro trains heralding their presence.

Baltimore native Joseph Sheppard has painted public figures including former President George H.W. Bush and filmmaker John Waters, and his portraits can be found in government buildings, churches and galleries. But his latest work of art will be in the open for all to see: a 7-foot- tall bronze statue of the late Pope John Paul II. Sheppard's statue will be the focal point of the Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden, a $1.5 million monument and contemplative space planned for the southwest corner of Charles and Franklin streets.

Frances Urban knows the value of a penny. When she was growing up in Wakefield, Mass., one of the coins could buy her four caramels at the candy store. Now she and other residents of Basilica Place, a senior residence run by Catholic Charities of Baltimore, are collecting cents to contribute to the Fuel Fund of Maryland. The nonprofit helps families pay their heating and home utility bills. "Pennies make dollars," Urban, 73, said her mother always told her. The demand for assistance has been very high given recent increases in the price of gas and electricity and the corresponding effect on the prices of other consumer goods.

A new campaign to coax ordinary, camera-shy Baltimoreans into making video tributes to their city has already found a taker: Molly Shattuck. A video starring the retired Ravens cheerleader and wife of Constellation Energy CEO Mayo Shattuck popped up on the city tourism Web site the other day -- just as tourism officials announced an effort to promote Baltimore with independent videos. The "Visit My Baltimore" campaign claims to be looking for unpolished, YouTube-y authenticity. What they got in the Shattuck video were slick production values and, at the start anyway, a featured activity unavailable to the average mortal, much less the average tourist: professional cheerleading.

Accepting the resignation of Cardinal William H. Keeler, Pope Benedict XVI turned over leadership of the birthplace of American Catholicism yesterday to Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien, a prelate known for ministering to U.S. troops on the battlefield and strictly supervising the education of priests. O'Brien, a New York native, has presided over the Archdiocese for the Military Services since 1997. He vowed to continue Keeler's two-decade legacy - including forging trusting relationships with other faiths - while promising to step up the recruitment of new priests in the Baltimore Archdiocese.

On June 14, 2007 MARY ROSETTA. Memorial Services Saturday, June 23 from 2 to 4 P.M. at The Basilica, 124 W. Franklin St., followed by re-pass.

Pope Benedict XVI could visit the United Nations as soon as next year and, if the pontiff's schedule allows, Baltimore's archbishop has laid down the welcome mat for him at the Basilica of the Assumption. "There's always been that hope that he could come to Baltimore," said Sean Caine, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. "Up until now, it was more of a distant hope. Now that he's accepted an invitation to come to New York, people's interest has intensified a little bit. People feel like maybe they're one step closer."

The leader of Baltimore's Catholics says he plans to stay in the city even after a successor is named by Pope Benedict XVI. In an extensive interview with The Sun in which he discussed his post-retirement plans for the first time, Cardinal William H. Keeler said that he wants to remain at the helm of the Basilica Historic Trust when the pope replaces him as archbishop of Baltimore. The cardinal was required by canon law to submit his resignation letter to the Vatican last year, after his 75th birthday.