In this time of rapid change, Pope Francis wisely notes that we are living not in a time of change, but a change of epoch. I harken back to another saying, that the more things change, the more they stay the same. During the Second Vatican Council, the Church Fathers Read more…
The past few weeks have provided numerous opportunities to be with God’s holy, faithful people in ways that give me pause for gratitude for the great grace granted me to proclaim the riches of Christ. Another source of gratitude is the faith which I see in and experience through the Read more…
Our readings for this Third Sunday of Advent make it clear; The LORD is the source of our joy – not the things of this world. Isaiah recognized this with one of his famous lines: “The Spirit of the LORD God is upon me.” St. Paul gives good advice in Read more…
As I celebrated Mass today for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and prayed the words of consecration during this Year of the Eucharist, I was moved to understand that the grace which provided for Mary’s Immaculate Conception is the same grace we receive through each Eucharist; the unique grace Read more…
Jesus speaks with Nicodemus in today’s Gospel (John 3:1-8), about the necessity to be “born from above” in order to see the Kingdom of God. We are curious as was Nicodemus as to how we can experience such a ‘rebirth.’ The answer lies in Jesus Christ, not only his teaching, Read more…
When I was introduced as the new Coadjutor Archbishop of Seattle, one of the Auxiliary Bishops gave me a book to read titled The Boys In The Boat, by Daniel James Brown. The book is about the young men who made up the rowing team for the University of Washington Read more…
On this Nativity of John The Baptist, we look to a critical moment in the history of salvation. On this solemnity, our minds are drawn as much to the holy couples of Elizabeth and Zechariah & Joseph and Mary as they are to John the Baptist. This is a seminal Read more…
In so many ways, it is clear God’s grace is active and alive in the Church today, and it has been on full display this week in the Archdiocese of Anchorage! Our week began with the annual Alaska Catholic Youth Conference. For four days, approximately 250 youth, ministers and chaperones Read more…
As we celebrate the Ascension, this year we also celebrate Mother’s Day, and without too much of a stretch, we realize they are easily joined. The Ascension is the celebration of the return of Jesus after the Resurrection to the Father in heaven. St. Augustine said it well when he Read more…
Today, we have accompanied Christ in his passion and death. We watched as he was unjustly condemned, rejected and beaten, suffered and was crucified. He was ridiculed and mocked for our sins and for our salvation. Has his suffering captivated us? After he died, his side was pierced by a Read more…