Yesterday, the synod delegates formed into our third of four small groups. Today marks the halfway point of our gathering and work. In October of 1962, Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council. Days later the world watched nervously as the Cuban Missile Crisis unfolded between the two nuclear Read more…
Greetings from Rome! I arrived here a little over a week ago to participate in the Synod on Synodality. Last Saturday, everything began with an ecumenical prayer service in St. Peter’s Square. Prayer is at the very core of our work during this synod. (Please keep that in mind.) In Read more…
In May of 2015, Pope Francis penned an Encyclical Letter about the necessity to care for creation, which he calls our common home. The Letter is entitled Laudato Si’ taken from a the canticle to creation by St. Francis of Assisi. Next week, on the Feast of St. Francis, October Read more…
On March 13, we will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the election of Pope Francis as our Holy Father. Over the years, he has challenged us on many levels. He has an incredible sense of “freedom” which flows from his deep faith in God, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and Read more…
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…
In response to yesterday’s school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, I’ve provided a few thoughts through a video message. Once again, our hearts ache, and we search for a meaningful response. Here are just a few quotes from the message which is below “It’s time to challenge ourselves… to dig deep. Read more…
Last night the Archdiocese of Seattle gathered at St. James Cathedral to celebrate the Chrism Mass. What a beautiful celebration of faith and mission! You can read my homily below, or watch the video which is also included. Check back later for more photos (I hope!) Blessings upon each of Read more…
This Friday is the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord. It is also the date Pope Francis will consecrate Russian and the Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Pope Francis has invited every bishop in the world along with their priests and people of God to join him Read more…
There is much going on in our local Archdiocese today, and hopefully this is also true in all of our parishes. But, in the face of all this activity we must always ask: “How is this serving the mission of the Church”? because the Church exists for mission. To answer Read more…
From Pope Francis after today’s Angelus in Rome, a call for renewed and even deeper prayer for peace in the Ukraine. Brothers and sisters, we have just prayed to the Virgin Mary. This weekend, the city that bears her name, Mariupol, has become a city martyred by the ruinous war Read more…