As the season of Lent is now hours away, I wish to share a statement prepared by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. We see a great beauty in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and wish to invite a greater reception of this Sacrament by our people. Lent is a Read more
Bishop Etienne Responds to News of Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI The Church Universal woke up today to the unexpected news that Pope Benedict XVI will resign as the Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter effective 8:00 pm Rome time on February 28, 2013. This is the first Read more
The Church’s understanding of the human person as well as her understanding of the family and marriage are beautiful, and timely (timeless!). Today’s instruction comes from the Compendium Of The Social Doctrine Of The Church. I apologize that the footnotes are not included, but for further reading and study, you Read more
As I write this greeting for Catholic Schools Week, it is January 4, the Feast Day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. St. Elizabeth one of the founders of Catholic Education in the United States, meaning, Catholic Education in this country proudly carries a 200+ year tradition. Just as it was Read more
In light of the Pastoral Statement issued yesterday regarding marriage and family, complimented by the invitation to spend time reading the documents of Vatican II in this Year of Faith, it seems appropriate to follow up the statement with some Church teaching around the beauty of marriage. I offer today Read more
In this Year of Faith, the Church draws our attention and energy to the New Evangelization. The main objective of this New Evangelization is to draw people into relationship with Jesus Christ. We wish to strengthen our experience of the life and love Christ came to renew, namely, the life and Read more
My focus for this weekend’s homily was inspired by listening to Fr. Robert Barron’s homily. You can find his homily through his Word of Fire Website, here. My own reflection, though similar, takes a different direction than Fr. Barron’s. Our first reading this weekend is from the Book of Nehemiah Read more
St. Paul in his Letter to the Ephesians teaches: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world…” This is perhaps one of Read more
This week is National Vocations Awareness Week. I have offered Masses this week asking that all people come to a deep realization of God’s love for them and how that love is experienced most profoundly in our relationship with Jesus Christ. For me, this is the starting point of coming Read more
Here is my Homily for today’s celebration of the Solemnity of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God. Please be assured of my prayers for all of you that this New Year may be filled with many graces and blessings, all of which flow from Jesus Christ. Today, the Church celebrates Read more