In the news, the good side of Catholic Youth Ministry in action… and, ummm, an oopsie, I guess.

BALTIMORE, MD – - An estimated 1,500 young people from the Baltimore archdiocese are expected to attend the youth “Rally for Life” at the Verizon Center.

D. Scott Miller, coordinator of adolescent faith formation in the Division of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, said he attended the first March for Life in 1974. He remembers more adults attending that day. “That’s not the case anymore,” Miller said. “This is a young people crowd. It’s young people celebrating life together and celebrating faith together.”

Miller said the archdiocese has developed a special pro-life curriculum that will be used in schools and parishes for young people who are not attending the March for Life. St. Mary, Hagerstown, is hosting a Rock for Life Concert Jan. 16 featuring the band, Alakrity. St. John Neumann in Annapolis will have Life Week activities starting with Joia Farmer in concert Jan. 15. Two Youth Rallies for Life will be held Jan. 21, each from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Peter, Libertytown and St. Mary, Hagerstown. Read the whole Catholic Review article,

DIMAPUR, NAGALAND, INDIA - - After four days of raging inferno in Dzukou Valley, which destroyed almost 15 square kilometers of greenery, the fire was finally dowsed Saturday around 1pm. SDO (civil) of Zubza, Akunu, informed that volunteers numbering more than 400 were able to contain the fire at a firebreak area near a stream separating “Knonoma Dzukou” and southern “Angami Dzukou.” The fire was sparked off by a group of campers from Catholic Youth Association of Sechu Zubza on January 4. The arduous operation was undertaken by volunteers from Knonoma village and other surrounding villages, with the help of personnel from the Home Guards and Fire department. Read the whole Morung Express article.