On this First Sunday of Advent, Jesus calls us to “Stay Awake!” (Matthew) St. Paul uses similar language when reminding us that this is the “Hour to wake from your sleep; our salvation is near at hand.” (Romans) Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of the Lord. Read more
Happy Thanksgiving to all! As this Nation’s Day of Thanksgiving dawns, I wish all of you a grace-filled day. No matter the trials of any present moment or of recent past, our God is still present with a loving gaze and a Will to provide for all our needs, not Read more
As the Year of Faith has now drawn to a close, let’s reflect upon some of the encouragement and instruction we have received from the two popes who shared this grace-filled year. In his first encyclical, Pope Benedict XVI made a very practical teaching that continues to guide my own Read more
As this year’s National Catholic Youth Conference draws to a conclusion today, my prayer this morning is filled with hopes for our Church and in particular, for the youth of our Church. One of the prayers in this morning’s Liturgy of Hours reminds us that to serve the Lord is Read more
The National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis this year is a great event. Nearly 25,000 youth have gathered from around the country, and I am so pleased that we have nearly 50 present from Wyoming. Besides the youth, there are so many dedicated adult leaders and youth ministers, men and Read more
I”m getting to be very familiar with the Denver airport, as I sit here once again with a snow delay. I’m headed for Indianapolis for this year’s NCYC, (National Catholic Youth Conference)where around 25,000 – 30,000 youth will gather at Lucas Oil Stadium for the next few days. I was scheduled Read more
The individuals in today’s first reading from 2 Maccabees 7: 1, 20-31 are inspiring, most especially the mother. The scene is one of persecution for the faith. As King Antiochus is forcing the Hebrews to abandon their faith for the ‘state religion’ of pagan worship, we find this mother witnessing the Read more
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Recently, bishops around the world learned that our Holy Father, Pope Francis has called an Extraordinary Synod for next October, 2014. The theme for this gathering will be: Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization. In 2015, the Vatican Read more
As our 2013 Plenary meeting of the US Bishops’ Conference draws near to conclusion, a special statement was issued at the close of our executive session today. I share that with this readership now, in the hopes that after I get home, a more complete review may be offered. The Read more
Gaudium et Spes (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World #18. It is in the face of death that the riddle a human existence grows most acute. Not only is man tormented by pain and by the advancing deterioration of his body, but even more so by a Read more