Faith

Republican Senator Mitch McConnell deigns to attend President Obama's bipartisan health care meeting ("New Obama health plan could block rate hikes," Feb. 20) while claiming Democrats are "arrogant in their refusal to throw out current legislation and start from scratch." In other words Republicans would agree to participate "in good faith" by writing their own version to replace the one already approved by the legislature. What a travesty! This nation has endured eight years under a Republican administration when obviously necessary reforms were simply non-existent, except for the much-vaunted Medicare prescription drug plan which seniors have found contains a fatal flaw known as the "doughnut hole," which negates much of its so-called benefits.

On Friday, Catholics throughout the United States will begin observing two weeks known as the Fortnight for Freedom. For a second consecutive year, the U.S. Catholic Church has set aside this time leading up to Independence Day to draw attention to the need to resist erosions of religious liberty so that faith can continue to enrich our public life. How appropriate that the Fortnight should begin with a nationally televised Mass from our own Basilica of the Assumption, the first Catholic cathedral in the United States.

For a good portion of Sunday night's contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Torrey Smith didn't have much to be pleased with. The rookie wide receiver dropped four passes, including a potential 37-yard pass from quarterback Joe Flacco that hit him in the hands in the end zone on the Ravens' final series of the game. Four plays later, however, Flacco went back to Smith, and this time, he held onto the football for a 26-yard game-winning touchdown catch with eight seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Arthur Jones' road to the NFL has been defined by tragedy, injury and a resilient smile. The Ravens rookie defensive lineman flashes it during practice. It can be seen in the locker room and weight room. Jones even cracks a smile when he talks about 2009, a year that could easily be remembered with tears. About three weeks after he decided to stay at Syracuse for one more year — despite being labeled a second-round talent — Jones tore a pectoral muscle, which led to a disappointing senior season.

Has there been a more polarizing figure in professional sports over the past year than Tim Tebow? Whether it was his string of fourth-quarter comebacks, thrilling overtime playoff victory over the Steelers or public displays of his faith, Mr. Tebow generates a wide range of reactions from the public. Mr. Tebow's faith is an integral part of the player, the man and the human being. Today, when media outlets are littered with players' indiscretions and mistakes, it's refreshing to see someone who practices what he preaches.

On an exquisite Sunday afternoon at Camden Yards, while the home team completed a lovely weekend sweep of the Boston Red Sox, we popped the question among the beer-fisted on the sun-splashed flag court above right field: When did you start to believe - really believe - that the Orioles would make the American League playoffs for the first time in 15 years? We had to yell the question to be heard above the raucous, happy crowd that celebrated the Birds' drive for at least a postseason wild-card berth, which they clinched when the Los Angeles Angels lost the second game of a doubleheader to the Texas Rangers Sunday night.

My letter to Del. LeRoy Myers, (a Republican who represents Allegany and Washington counties) in support of Governor O'Malley's Civil Marriage Protection Act was returned with the comment: "Marriage has a long history in the religious world. In the religious world, marriage is almost exclusively the committed union between a single man and a single woman. " The our Allegany County commissioner, Mike McKay, who has been using his bully pulpit at publicly funded meetings, stated that "My faith is based on the holy word, and any change to that foundation I find offensive.

FAITH VIRGINIA BOSSE, age 79, of Millsboro, Delaware, formerly of Baltimore, died Thursday, April 29, 2004 at the Harbor Healthcare & Rehabilitation Canter in Lewes, DE. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Faith's Memory to: Compassionate Care Hospice, 201B W. Du Pont Hwy, Millsboro, DE. 19966.

On March 11, 2006, FAITH L. FAIRE. Friends may call MARCH FUNERAL HOME EAST 1101 E. North Ave. on Wednesday after 8 a.m. Family will receive friends at Pleasant Zion Baptist Church 4317 Northpoint Blvd on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Services will follow at 11.

On March 1, 2005, FAITH ANN DATTILO, beloved wife of Michael A. Fry; devoted mother of Michael F. Fry; loving daughter of Peter Dattilo and Sylvia Jones Carozzo; dear sister of Bryan and Dominick Dattilo. Also survived by nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the family owned Evans Chapel of Memories-Parkville on Thursday, 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. A funeral service will be held at St. John Lutheran Church-Parkville, on Friday at 10 A.M. Interment Parkwood Cemetery. Memorial donations in Faith's name may be made to the Hospice of Baltimore.