Celebration of arts honors cardinal, showcases Catholic students

Published: 2005-03-22

BALTIMORE (CNS) -- Stefanie Anarumo stood anxiously offstage at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, silently awaiting her cue to lilt across the stage in her delicate lilac-colored dress. That's when Mary Jo Hutson, associate superintendent for Catholic schools in the Baltimore Archdiocese, appeared from a stairwell with a bottle of holy water, which she proceeded to sprinkle backstage. "I do this every time," said Hutson, smiling at the group of young dancers and glancing admiringly at a youth orchestra that accompanied teen soloists onstage. The informal blessing must have had an impact at the second Celebration of the Arts March 14. The live exhibition of music, song, dance, theater and visual arts featured more than 400 students from Catholic schools across the archdiocese and received rave reviews from Baltimore Cardinal William H. Keeler. The evening was dedicated to Cardinal Keeler in honor of the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

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