Every five years (or so) a bishop travels to Rome to be renewed in the ministry that he shares as a successor to the apostles. The Latin phrase for this visit is ad limina apostolorum – meaning, a visit to the threshold (of the tombs) of the Apostles, Peter and Read more
Happy New Year 2020! May this year be a blessing to all. On this Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, the readings speak clearly of God’s deep desire to bless us. He even instructed Moses very specifically about how he and Aaron were to bless the Israelites (Numbers Read more
Christmas Homily 2019 St. James Cathedral, Seattle On this Holy Night, we experience once again what the Prophets foretold of old. The One who is to comfort God’s people is born. (Isaiah 40) The desire of all nations, (Haggai 2:6-7) of every human heart is found wrapped in swaddling clothes, Read more
I had very little appreciation for the summer and winter solstices until I lived in Alaska. As we all know, the earth makes one revolution around the sun every 365 days. Due to the tilt of the earth on its axis, the northern hemisphere is closest to the sun during Read more
In the early days of Advent, the readings speak of the mountain of the Lord, Mt. Zion, the house of the Lord, as the place where all of humanity will find the desire of their hearts. On God’s holy mountain we will be fed and will know love, truth and Read more
Today is the feast of one of the greatest missionaries of all time, St. Francis Xavier.He is the patron saint of missionaries, and of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, where my life and ordained ministry began. St. Francis is a great model for us today, in so many ways. He first Read more
As the sun sets on this Solemnity of Christ the King, a few words on what it means for us. Today’s Gospel recalls Jesus’ death upon the cross. This cross is the throne of his kingship. What kind of kingdom is this? What kind of King is this? Jesus is Read more
Our USCCB 2019 Plenary Assembly in Baltimore has just concluded. For the first time in a few years, I was able to stay for the Thursday morning of prayer and Eucharistic Adoration, which for many reasons, is such a good way to conclude these gatherings. After Mass, the Eucharist is Read more
Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. John Lateran, which serves as the Cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome, and thus holds the cathedra (pictured right) for the Bishop of Rome, the Holy Father. For this reason, it is a focal point of the unity of the Church Read more
Hi, Gang. Another full week. Still waiting on pictures from last Sunday’s visit to St. Nicholas in Gig Harbor. (Hint, Hint, to all you folks down there …) Sometimes it is hard to believe that the Kingdom is advanced in through so many meetings, but even on that front I Read more