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John Carroll knew that his new diocese would need a spiritual center, a cathedral, and so he invited his people to contribute what they could to its design and construction.

It’s been far too long since I have joined you here at St. Andrew’s for Sunday Mass, so I am especially happy to be with you today, and to join with you in thanking Fr. Andrew De Fusco for his leadership of your parish family.

I am happy to return to St. Mary’s Parish, albeit belatedly, on this occasion to celebrate with all of you the Solemnity of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary, and in this joyful setting, to celebrate with you the 50th anniversary of the priestly ordination of your good pastor, Father Henry Kunkel.

In these days when the Church ministers in an increasingly secular and hostile world, we do well to attend to the activity of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our Church.

Over these past few days, I have had the joy and privilege of visiting with you, dear brothers, and with your wives, as we prepared for this Ordination.

It is a pleasure to welcome you once again to the Basilica of the Assumption, first, because we can once again be together, worshipping in person, and second, because this is a special moment in the history of this Basilica.

In these days leading up to Pentecost and in these beautiful days of May, our minds and hearts turn to the presence among us of the Blessed Virgin Mary.