I mentioned recently in a previous blog that Sherry Weddell gave a great series of presentations to our clergy for this year’s clergy institute. One of the astounding statistics she provided indicates that many Catholics do not believe it is possible to have a personal relationship with God. This statistic Read more…
Finn and Betty McCarthy were honored at a special ceremony at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Wednesday evening, January 20, 2016. Mr. & Mrs. McCarthy are the recipients of a distinguished service award known as the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (For the Church and Pope.) This is the highest medal Read more…
Tonight “a great light” shines forth (Is 9:1); the light of Jesus’ birth shines all about us. How true and timely are the words of the prophet Isaiah which we have just heard: “You have brought abundant joy and great rejoicing” (9:2)! Our heart was already joyful in awaiting this Read more…
For the past six years, the Hispanic community of Holy Spirit Catholic Community in Rock Springs has hosted a celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In order to accommodate as many people as possible, they gather on the Sunday nearest the feast. This gives them one day to Read more…
In final preach of this pastoral visit to the United States, Pope Francis encourages us to be prophets of the joy of the Gospel; prophets of the family, of the love of the family, as disciples of Christ. Today the word of God surprises us with powerful and thought-provoking images. Read more…
Now in his third full day of this pastoral visit to the United States, our Holy Father is hitting all the right notes in his various homilies and addresses. He is not only the Chief Shepherd of the Church, but a beautiful presence of the Good Shepherd. If there was Read more…
Yesterday was indeed an inspiring start to the pastoral visit of Pope Francis to the United States. In his remarks to the US Bishops at St. Matthew’s Cathedral he made clear his desire for the people in the United States to know that he comes to embrace each and everyone of Read more…
In yesterday’s Gospel, Jesus taught us that if we wish to be his disciples, we must take up our cross and follow him. (Mark 8:34) If we receive this instruction in a worldly way, all we will see is the sacrifice and suffering which the cross entails. Today, the Church Read more…
Every Sunday, in fact, every celebration of the Eucharist is a ‘Little Easter.’ During the Easter Season, the Church not only recalls the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but is actually renewed in the life of the Risen Christ, through the life of the Holy Spirit. This life of the Risen Christ Read more…
Today is a day of Thanksgiving as I celebrate the 5th anniversary of my ordination as a bishop. The words come to mind of Blessed Mother’s response to Elizabeth upon hearing the words: “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Read more…