From Our Pastor

CARLO ACUTIS AND PIER GIORGIO FRASSATI  On 7 September, Pope Leo XIV will preside over the canonization of two young saints, Pier Giorgio Frassati from the early twentieth century and Carlo Acutis, the first twenty-first century saint.  As you may recall, Carlo Acutis’ canonization was originally scheduled for 27 April, to coincide with the Jubilee of Teenagers, and Pier Frassati’s canonization was set for 3 August, the culmination of the Jubilee for Youth.  Both canonizations were postponed due to Pope Francis’ death on 21 April. The declaration that both of [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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.”  [...]

A Message from the Catholic Episcopal Conferences and Councils of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean  I think we can all agree that we are experiencing climate change that has seen an increase in temperature fluctuations, more violent storms, floods and droughts.  There is great debate about the role that human activity has played in the dramatic change in climate over the past century and especially in the past few decades but it is evident that we are experiencing an alarming increase in temperature and violent weather worldwide.  The [...]

As if the three-year war between Russia and Ukraine and the almost three-year war between the Hamas and Israel weren’t enough, Israel is now embroiled in a serious conflict with Iran and we are becoming ever more entangled in it ourselves.  At the same time, we read about the natural disasters around the world - ongoing wild fires in Canada, floods here in our country and, indeed, around the world, deadly heat waves - and our hearts go out to the millions of people who are suffering and struggling to [...]