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On June 19, Pope Benedict XVI will officially inaugurate The Year for Priests. The opening of this special year takes place on the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney, the patron of parish priests. As the president-rector of St. Mary’s Seminary and University, the first Catholic seminary in the United States, it is a privilege for me to write the first article in a 12-part series on the priesthood that will appear monthly in The Catholic Review.

SAN FRANCISCO – Responding to criticism of the school’s decision to honor a controversial South African bishop, the University of San Francisco’s president said Catholic universities should provide the church with a forum for changing society constructively through conversation.

One story that may never be fully told is the story of all the good that the Catholic Church does. The big ticket items are obvious for all to see – the tremendous contribution to education at the primary, secondary and college and university levels; the service to the poor and needy by Catholic Charities (a tip of the hat to Hal Smith); the worldwide service to 100 million people around the world by Catholic Relief Services.

In a June 15 ceremony at the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Catholic Center, Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien honored young people who have shown apostolic action, Christian leadership and moral integrity. Each young person received an Eagle of the Cross award from the Division of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for their efforts.

A letter to Father Dietzen (CR, June 4) on the roles of faith and works raises the neglected issue of paradox.