“See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you” (Gn 9:8).  As we begin again the Season of Lent, we hear today God’s reassuring words to Noah and his family after the devastating flood.  We are all familiar with this story in the Bible which provides a moral explanation for the end of the last Ice Age.  As this story ends, we hear God assuring humanity that he will care for us; all we need to do is turn away from our sinful ways and […]

It’s been a strange and unusually warm winter, hasn’t it?  With the exception of a few extraordinarily frigid days and one snow storm, it’s felt more like fall or spring than winter.  Now, spring is fast approaching.  Liturgically, Lent – which means “spring” – is almost here; it starts this week with Ash Wednesday.  Just as the natural world is reawakened and renewed every spring, each year, the Church, in her wisdom, offers us this liturgical Season of Lent, a season for reconciliation and renewal in preparation for Easter, when […]

National Catholic Schools Week is an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States.  Now entering its 50^th anniversary year, it is an opportunity for us to recognize the importance of Catholic education and formation and to celebrate our school that has instructed and formed our children for over 100 years.  Our school has enjoyed a strong reputation as an outstanding Catholic elementary school ever since it opened in 1916.  It was originally founded to ensure that the Catholic children in this area would receive both an excellent education […]

REFLECTIONS ON RECENT VATICAN DECLARATION

Part 2

Last week, I provided you with a summary of the recent Vatican declaration entitled Fiducia Supplicans in response to questions that had been raised over the past several years regarding same-sex couples.  As you read this summary, you will recall that it ended with: “beyond the guidance provided above, no further responses should be expected about possible ways to regulate details or practicalities regarding blessings of this type.” It sounded as if the Vatican’s Office for the Doctrine of the Faith expected that it had […]

As you probably know, the Vatican Office for the Doctrine of the Faith recently issued a declaration entitled Fiducia Supplicans in response to questions that had been raised over the past several years regarding same-sex couples.  You may also have read about the controversy that this declaration has raised throughout the Church around the world.  In case you haven’t read it, I would like to offer a summary of this declaration and some reflections about it.

The document begins with an introductory Presentation that offers the context for this declaration.  It […]

As you may recall, I was the chancellor of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem before I was assigned here in 2011.  In that previous position, I had the privilege of working with this international Catholic organization that supports the Christians living in the Holy Land, most particularly in the West Bank and Gaza.  We would raise approximately $10 million annually to support parishes, schools, orphanages and hospitals operating in the West Bank and Gaza.  This support was essential for the Christians who are trapped there due […]

It’s not very often that we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent one day and Christmas the next.  The last time this occurred was six years ago in 2017 and it won’t happen again until 2028.  As I have heard from so many, it seems that Christmas has come much sooner, even though it’s on the 25^th of December, as it is every year.  As we end the Advent Season and jump right into Christmas, allow me to reflect on the significance this time has for all of us.

Last Sunday, […]