On this 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time, we hear of the Providential Goodness of God. He is like the landowner who planted a vineyard. He chose a fertile hillside, prepared the soil, planted the choicest vines, put a hedge around it, hewed out a wine press, built a watchtower, and looked for the crop of grapes. (Isaiah 5:1-7; Matthew 21:33-43) The Psalm today (Psalm 80) tells us that the vineyard of the Lord is the House of Israel. We are the vineyard of the Lord. We are the one’s whom God has cared for with […]
The mission of the Church is to proclaim Christ to the world. The world has always needed this proclamation, and it is no different today. Our best, most credible proclamation of Christ comes in the form of witness, by the way we live, as much as by the creed we profess. Many of our cultural challenges today will be solved only with a proper understanding of the human person. Christian anthropology is an appreciation of the truth that every human person is created by God. This is the foundation of our human dignity and sanctity […]
During the June Pilgrimage to Rome, I was aware of many graces, not the least of which is the unity that we share as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. This truth was represented in a small way by the group that travelled with me, from the various places of my life and ministry – Indiana, Wyoming, and Alaska; and in its fullness as the new Archbishops from around the world celebrated Mass with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. The universality of the Church is a beautiful mystery and reality, one that calls us […]
“The Church draws her life from the Eucharist.” With these words, St. Pope John Paul II began his last Encyclical on the Life of the Eucharist in Relationship to the Church. This simple statement has so many implications for our lives. To fully understand this teaching, we must begin with a proper understanding of the Eucharist. As Church, we believe that the Eucharist is the true presence of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, body, soul, and divinity. Think about that … Jesus Christ is present through his Church – in the Eucharist. In every Mass, the […]
Monday of this Week, I arrived in Indianapolis for the June 2017 Meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. I was pleased that a good percentage of our time together was spent discussing pastoral issues of concern to many of our people across the United States. Another highlight was our Mass together on Wednesday evening, June 14 at the Indianapolis Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. This past year, Pope Francis asked that every Episcopal Conference offer a Mass of Prayer & Penance for Healing of Survivors of Clergy Sex Abuse – and this […]
Last night, I had the great blessing of presiding at Evening Prayer at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Cheyenne. We prayed as Church, not only at the close of this Easter Season on the evening of Pentecost, but most especially for their new bishop, Steven Biegler, who will be ordained and installed in a ceremony today at 2:00pm. Part of yesterday evening’s ceremony included the blessing of the ‘episcopal insignia’ which will be worn by the new bishop. These are pictured left and are the Bishop’s staff, or crozier, ring, and mitre. In order to understand […]
May is a month we traditionally honor our Blessed Mother and celebrate Mother’s Day. We are given an opportunity this month to honor women. This month of May is also a prime time for us to recognize the Maternity of the Church – after all, how often do we refer to her as Mother Church? The older I get, and perhaps, the older my mother gets, the more often I am led to reflect upon the incredible role she played in my life and the life of our family. There was a sign that hung […]
Yesterday, I was in town taking care of an errand, and a young woman at a check out counter noticed my ring. She said something to the effect of: “That is a nice ring. Does it have any significance?” I said: “Yes. It is a bishop’s ring, and I am the new Archbishop of Anchorage.” She then responded: “Pardon my ignorance, but what is an Archbishop?” To which I said: “I am the leader of the Catholic Church in this part of Alaska.” Then, she said quite casually: “Well, I guess you now know, I […]
s I begin a time of vacation, I sit this evening with a bible, reviewing some of the recent Gospel readings from St. Matthew. I stopped to reflect upon the words regarding Jesus: Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9: 35-36) It is good to think of Jesus. It is beneficial […]
aints Peter and Paul, known for their faith in Christ and their love for the Church, we honor with today’s Solemnity in their names. Saint Peter knew Christ during his earthly life and ministry. He listened to Christ preach, watched as he healed the sick, observed his compassion for sinners of all stripes, and was witness to his resurrection. Saint Peter was the first of the Apostles to give expression to the faith: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (Matthew 16:16) Saint Paul came to know Christ by the grace […]