Do we merely praise the Crucified Love of the Savior with our lips? Is it just a matter of words and feelings? The valiant woman whose canonization we celebrate anew teaches otherwise. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton exalted the Cross by her life in all its amazing iterations.Read More
How sad when we Catholics attack one another, aping the language of our ideologically divided culture. If the Church is itself the sacrament of unity and charity, then we need to curb our speech, and more.Read More
There really is no way to understand Jesus's words in today’s Gospel on the high cost of being his follower other than to contemplate how completely God has loved us. God the Father did not just give us some gift he would never miss – he gave us his only begotten Son, his beloved Son...Read More
As Mary demonstrates, hope does not mean that God provides a detailed roadmap, hope does not mean that we won’t have questions, nor does it that we are spared of suffering, for her heart was pierced. Hope means finding God’s will amid our questions and searching, hope means finding peace, consolation, and joy amid misunderstanding...Read More
In this sacred place, so much at the heart of salvation history, let us pray to find ways, in God’s grace, to extend the light and love of Christ to those who suffer so terribly.Read More
Like Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, we have come to this tomb as pilgrims of hope. Even if our discipleship is no secret, we are no strangers to fear and hesitancy because of the resistance and persecution that the Name of Christ still generates after more than 2,000 years.Read More
Whether you are newly arrived here at St. Mary’s Seminary or you are returning seminarian, I hope you look upon the beginning of a new year of formation with enthusiasm. But not the enthusiasm that will fade with your mid-term exams but rather a zest for formation that has staying power.Read More
As it happens, the Scripture readings for today shed light on your ministry as educators of your children, not only in regular academic subjects but above all in the Catholic faith.Read More
It is a pleasure to return to St. Bartholomew’s Parish for Sunday Mass, and on this occasion, to celebrate your patronal feast – happy feast day! I’m also happy to bless your new parish cemetery and columbarium.Read More
Anticipating the year ahead with hearts full of hope, what can we learn from this humble and holy pontiff, a pope who lived, as do we, in tumultuous times for both Church and society?Read More
The visible beauty of this church sets the stage, so to speak, for us to participate in the unseen beauty of God. While we employ the precious materials of this earth in our craft, the glory of God exceeds anything we could ever ask or imagine.Read More