Blessing

No matter what your feels are about religion, it's hard not to be charmed by a blessing of the animals. This one happened this week at the the Cathedral of the Incarnation, part of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland. Watch for little Butterscotch. I love him. (He was a good boy! He didn't bite the bishop!)

On Sunday, April 14, Mt. Nebo United Methodist Church in Delta, Pa., sponsored a Blessing of the Bikes in the church's parking lot immediately following the service that day. Pastor Dennis McCleary blessed 18 motorcycles that afternoon. The blessing was given for the biker and their safety throughout the upcoming motorcycle season. This all took place around noon with about 21 bikers in attendance. Afterward, hot dogs, chips, cookies and drinks were served right there in the parking lot. There was plenty of good conversation and fellowship taking place that day. Bikers were thanks for attending, and invited back to any and every Sunday service, beginning at 10:45 a.m.

Ron Smith's recent column concerning his cancer diagnosis was perhaps his most powerful ("Death, I do not fear you; I am just not ready to go," Oct. 21). When I read his doctor's quote, "Fate has something else in store for you," I immediately thought it wasn't the pancreatic cancer. I believe God granted a 20-plus year extension of his life so that he might have a positive impact on the lives of others. From the outpouring of love, it is evident that he has used that time well.

Subscribers and friends of Compass Rose Theater Company had major cause for celebration last month with the opening of the troupe's new theater home in the Annapolis Arts District. The redeveloped 2,900-square-foot space at 49 Spa Road now has a full lobby, classroom, library and a large backstage area for performers and dressing rooms, with a ceiling height of 25 feet and a 10-by-25-foot stage. Designed by Severna Park-based theater architect Gary Martinez, the theater comfortably seats 70. Martinez described it as "a dynamic space for a dynamic company," and Lucinda Merry-Browne, founder and artistic director of Compass Rose, called the theater "the realization of the dream of a lifetime.

On October 7, 2003, MARJORIE F.,(nee McLean) beloved wife of the late George A. Blessing, devoted mother of Sister Lois Blessing S.N.D., Joyce M. Bartolomeo, David C. Blessing, Carl J. Blessing, Mary L. Burns and Jack Blessing, loving sister of George McLean. Also survived by 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Schimunek Funeral Home, Inc., 9705 Belair Road (Perry Hall) on Thursday from 7 to 9 P. M and Friday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M., with a Wake Service 3:30 P.M. Funeral Mass will be held at the St. Michael's Catholic Church, Overlea on Saturday at 10 A.M. Interment Gardens of Faith Cemetery.

Prayer breakfast - Side by Side, a nonprofit group that works to strengthen local public schools will hold Blessing of the Schools, Sat., Aug. 20, 9:30 a.m., in the Laurel High School cafeteria, 8000 Cherry Lane. Scheduled for just two days before the first day of school in Prince George's County, the event includes prayers for local schools, teachers, students and their parents. Free breakfast follows. Attendees are invited to bring new school supplies for families in need.

WHEN TWO seemingly unrelated events converge, some call it coincidence. Perhaps. Ty Sigler believes it's no coincidence that he received a letter with a message from Pope John Paul II within half an hour after the pontiff died April 2. It contained a rosary blessed by the pope and a photograph with his name at the bottom. Mr. Sigler, 65, of Reisterstown, has been disabled since 1987 because of a car accident. He has liver cancer and heart problems. The Vatican letter dated March 18 was in response to a letter Mr. Sigler had mailed to the pope in late January.

When Ray Rice set a season low with just eight carries in a 12-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 4 and then surpassed that with just five rushing attempts in a 22-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 13, much teeth-gnashing ensued. Even the Ravens running back wasn't happy with his involvement in the offense at those times, but with three more contests in the regular season and what appears to be at least one game in the postseason, Rice is beginning to think that the reduced workload is beginning to pay dividends now. “I don't want to say I saved my best for last, but I think the fact that I wasn't getting the carries early on was a blessing in disguise for me right now,” he said Wednesday.

Four-year-old Ila Yslande Ann Hubner waddled into the Frederick County Courthouse the other morning, arms flailing, legs kicking this way and that, babbling about the Cookie Monster. "Everything is 'Cookie Monster,' I don't know why," said Christie Hubner. A year ago, when Hubner and her husband, Dave, took custody of Ila, the child knew nothing about the Cookie Monster. She was an orphan in Port-au-Prince, Haiti — frightened, hungry and stranded in the rubble after last January's massive earthquake.

Who says a proposed elementary school would ruin Mays Chapel if it is built there? Adding a school would be an educational and recreational blessing for the neighborhood. The current concrete jungle of condos, apartments, shopping center, medical building and swimming pool already holds the award for "ruining" what was once a bucolic woodland. The planned unit development on the west side of I-83 was a painful sacrifice that introduced commercial entities where they never belonged.

While several homeless people gathered on benches on the plaza outside City Hall on Palm Sunday, a crowd of 60 churchgoers from congregations around Baltimore stood at the front door to pray for them - and for other needs facing the community - at the 10th annual Blessing of the City. "Thank you for letting us pray for the homeless today," said Kealiel Collins, 11, a parishioner of Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Lafayette Square, to God and the crowd. "Give the homeless their place in the world.

For years, McDaniel had the enviable comfort level of knowing that when the score was tight, the offense could turn to Gibbs Preston and then D.J. Rickels to take charge on attack. With Rickels graduating after last season, a void opened on attack. Sophomore Pat Bivons (10 goals and seven assists) and senior Pat Woglom (13, 1) have tried to fill the role, but coach Matt Hatton said the team is still looking for that go-to leader. “I don't know if it's necessary, but it's nice to have someone behind the goal or goal-line extended that wants the ball in his stick in critical situations,” he said Thursday morning.

It is never too early to issue a warning. St. Patrick's Day will be upon us in a few weeks, and, while people are still reasonably sober they may heed this caution.  The diminutive of the saint's name is Paddy ; it derives from the Irish version of his name, Padraig.  Many people on these shores mistakenly refer to St. Patty's Day , but Patty  is the diminutive of Patricia . If you want to be on familiar terms, and...

One of my favorite views of Charm City right now is entering into the downtown area from the 395 off-ramp. Our city is painted with Ravens spirit - purple lights dancing on skyscrapers, "Go Ravens!" posters taped to city windows, and my favorite: the billboard that simply said "WOW" after the Ravens' win Sunday over the Patriots. In fact, as I sit down to write this at the Towson Public Library, a woman just pointed out that the bookshelf next to me contains an entire collection of books with purple covers, complete with a border of purple stars cut out of construction paper.

Many people find the holiday season to be a time to share their blessings with the less fortunate. Local organizations and advocacy groups such as those below would put your gift to good use. • Lovely Ladies of Laurel is a nonprofit organization committed to providing mentoring services to young ladies residing in Laurel and the surrounding areas. L3 seeks to promote responsibility, respect and academic rigor to a diverse group of young ladies within the community. http://www.lovelyladiesoflaurell3.org . Wish List: Coats, coat drive underway until Dec. 17. Drop off Mondays between 6:30 and 8 p.m. at the second trailer at Laurel High School, 8000 Cherry Lane.

GP Strategies Corp., a global business consulting company based in Elkridge, has agreed to buy BlessingWhite, a Princeton, N.J., company that offers employee leadership training, the companies have announced. The roughly $10 million acquisition should be complete within a month, GP Strategies said in a statement Friday. GP Strategies expects the acquisition to add to earnings per share in 2013, the company said. Last year, BlessingWhite had revenue of more than $13 million, GP Strategies said.

On October 18, 2005, in her 96th year, HELEN EUGENIA (nee Conklin), beloved wife of the late William "Buddy" H. Blessing; beloved mother of Harvey R. Blessing and Donna E. Bartolomeo; survived by daughter-in-law, Donna Blessing and son-in-law, Thomas Bartolomeo; grandchildren, Deborah Czawlytko, Robin Blessing, Jeffrey Bartolomeo and Joy Waida; great-grandchildren, Steven, Anne Marie and Elizabeth Czawlytko. Visiting at the E.F. Lassahn Funeral Home, P.A., 11750 Belair Road (Kingsville)

Gloria G. Bair calls volunteering a blessing. The organizations that benefit from her efforts would say it is they who are blessed to have her.Recently named the Volunteer of the Year for the Carroll County Fuel Fund, Ms. Bair makes "an outstanding commitment to community service and has a profound dedication to the work" of the fund, said Kelly Parrish, assistant director of the county Human Services Programs.Ms. Bair also offers willing hands and long hours to the county chapters of the Salvation Army and the American Cancer Society.

Three weeks into a new school year, I still smile at the cartoon-themed book bags that have rejoined my morning commute. Optimism's sneaker-clad army has returned. It is a welcome sight. But as I think about the future of education in Baltimore, my greatest hopes lie not necessarily with these bright-eyed youngsters but with the rowdy bunch, the nonconformists - the pupils who don't always do as they're told. These are the kids who can keep us honest and may be best equipped to push for change.