This Second Sunday of Lent we listen once again to the Gospel account of Jesus’ transfiguration. As the Gospel acclamation was sung, and the deacon lifted the Book of the Gospels, I thought to myself: “We are fulfilling the command of God from the Gospel today. This Gospel is Jesus, Read more
On this first Sunday of Lent, we once again hear the Gospel story of Jesus being led by the Spirit into the desert where he is tested by Satan for 40 days. The struggle of Jesus at the beginning of his public ministry is the fundamental conflict of the human Read more
Now that the Lenten Season is begun, are you out of the starting gate? Yesterday believers gathered around the globe for Ash Wednesday services. Ash Wednesday is one of those poignant moments when we allow God to ‘take off the gloves’ and remind us, indeed reveal to us, our sins. Read more
LENTEN MESSAGE OF OUR HOLY FATHER FRANCIS 2014 He became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich (cf. 2 Cor 8:9) Dear Brothers and Sisters, As Lent draws near, I would like to offer some helpful thoughts on our path of conversion as individuals and as a Read more
Please pray for the Holy Father’s prayer intentions for the month of March which are: ◦Respect for Women. That all cultures may respect the rights and dignity of women. ◦Vocations. That many young people may accept the Lord’s invitation to consecrate their lives to proclaiming the Gospel. When I read Read more
As we continue to focus our attention on the New Evangelization, I wish to draw your attention to the recent writing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. In November, Pope Francis published his first Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy Of The Gospel. The first thing I wish to do in this Read more
On this Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time, we receive some great wisdom for living a fruitful Christian life. The prophet Isaiah reminds us of the ebb and flow of the spiritual life. In the 49th Chapter of Isaiah, the first 13 versus speak of the restoring love of God, and Read more
As I wrote earlier this week, the bishops gathered with the Focolare Movement this week had the opportunity to visit with Pope Francis. For anyone, to be in the presence of the Holy Father is a unique blessing, and it is no different with Pope Francis. I can tell you Read more
Today, our group of bishops seeking to live these days in fraternity and mutual love, began with Morning Prayer and Mass. The group of ‘focolarini’ who have cared for us during these days also join us for Mass, and they add a richness with their voices and songs. After Mass, we Read more
Several months ago, I was asked to join a group of bishops from around the world who come together once a year as ‘friends of the Focolare movement.’ Our conference this week is being held at their ‘Mariapolis Center’ in Castle Gandolfo. This facility was originally the audience hall for the Read more