CATHOLIC CHARITIES APPEAL UPDATE

 Every year, you are invited and encouraged to join with all of the parishes throughout our archdiocese in participating in the annual Catholic Charities Appeal and every year you respond with great generosity!  To date for this year, your contributions to CCA total $95,095.  We’re ahead of last year at this time when contributions totaled $84,854.  But, the need throughout the archdiocese continues to increase as the cost of almost everything, including the daily essentials of food and housing, continues to rise.  Your contribution helps thousands of […]

On Friday, we will join with the universal Church in celebrating the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, into heaven.   As we continue our celebration of the Jubilee Year with its call for us to be Pilgrims of Hope, allow me to reflect on Mary as the model par excellence of a Pilgrim of Hope.  After all, her deepest hope was realized in her Assumption.

When the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he made this most startling announcement:

“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, […]

While I was away on vacation last week, I took the opportunity to read Bishop Robert Barron’s outstanding new book entitled What Christians Believe: Understanding the Nicene Creed.  It’s short – only 139 pages – but filled with deeply insightful reflections on the basic tenets of our faith that we recite every Sunday at Mass.  I strongly recommend it for everyone and offer some reflections on it to whet your appetite.

Bishop Barron begins with an excellent reflection on the very first two words of the Nicene Creed: “I believe.”  Many […]