Scroll down for Spanish Introduction I am happy, at long last, to celebrate Sunday Mass here at St. John the Evangelist and especially to do so on the beautiful Solemnity of the Epiphany. I am grateful to Fr. Jerry Bowen for his invitation and for the opportunity to bless your wonderful new daily Mass &...Read More

Introduction: On the Plane Yesterday, coming down here on the plane from Baltimore, I realized that over half the passengers were on their way to the Seek Conference. Because I boarded the plane in a black suit and a Roman collar, someone said to me, “Happy to see you, Father. Now I know we’ll be...Read More

Introduction As a young priest I served as priest-secretary for Cardinal James Hickey, then the Archbishop of Washington. In that position, he was required to travel quite a bit & I enjoyed travelling with him. As it turned out, I didn’t have to join the Navy to see the world! On one occasion the Cardinal...Read More

Introduction Thanks for the privilege of being with you this morning, especially on this 4th Sunday of Advent, so near to Christmas. With you I pray that the coming feast of Christmas will bring us joy, the deep and lasting joy that Jesus gives us. And let me take a moment also to thank you...Read More

Introduction Traditionally, the Third Sunday of Advent is known as “Gaudete Sunday” – and as you know, the Latin word, “gaudete” means, “rejoice”. As we anticipate our Sunday celebration, we have good reason to rejoice. First and foremost, the Lord is near, near to us in the approaching Feast of Christmas, near to us in...Read More

Scroll down for Spanish Today’s readings, especially in the context of the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, invite us to reflect on three important points: to encounter, to recognize God’s presence, and to be missionaries. Luke’s gospel tells us of the encounter of the Virgin Mary with Elizabeth. In this encounter...Read More

Dear friends, Introduction September 19, 2010, was a day of joy for Catholics in England and around the world, for it was the day Pope Benedict XVI beatified the convert, theologian, man of letters, priest, and cardinal, John Henry Newman. It is a privilege for me to return today to this holy place to celebrate...Read More

Introduction It is moving beyond words to be here at the Martyrs’ Altar, above which stands the replica of Tyburn Tree, and to celebrate here the Holy Mass, which was at the center of the lives of the martyrs who gave their lives at Tyburn, just some 200 yards from where we are right now....Read More