Reflections on the ongoing CLERGY SEX ABUSE SCANDAL
Every morning, when I open the newspaper, I brace for yet another article about the ongoing clergy sex abuse scandal. Ever since the Grand Jury Report was published in mid-August, it seems that the media has made it a point to feature an article about this terrible scourge almost every day. It is, indeed, a time of great sadness and confusion in our Church. I encourage you to join me in prayer for those who have been sexually abused. When John Carroll was appointed the first bishop in the newly-formed [...]
Catechetical Sunday
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” we hear the risen Lord instruct his followers after his Resurrection. We, the descendants of those first followers, are given the same command. Not only are we to live according to the Gospel ourselves, we are called to share the Good News of our salvation with everyone, call them to discipleship and teach them all that our Lord taught us. This weekend, we join with the Church throughout our nation and around [...]
Improving Your Faith Journey
RCIA (The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) After a rather warm and wet summer, I hope you’re ready for fall. This is a time when our children get serious about their education once again after a summer of fun and relaxation. This is also the time when I invite the adults of the parish to consider getting serious about their ongoing education and formation in the faith. There are three excellent programs that can help you get more serious about your faith journey. One of them is called The [...]
Black and Indian Mission Collection
Over the past several months, the local media has drawn a great deal of attention to the inequality in the quality of education offered in predominantly Black neighborhoods in Philadelphia. We are blessed to be involved in supporting a school in our sister parish – St. Martin de Porres – that helps over 500 children in one of the most challenging areas of the city to receive a high quality education. This inequality in educational opportunity has a long history throughout our country and next week, we have the opportunity [...]
Some Reflections on the Recent Grand Jury Report
As we continue to reel from the repercussions of the Grand Jury Report on the sexual abuse by priests and the cover-up by bishops in six dioceses throughout the state of Pennsylvania, I would like to offer some heartfelt reflections. As I mentioned in my homily last Sunday, when I think of my fellow clergy who have done such terrible things, I think of what our Lord once said: “It would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the [...]
Erin Lively Memorial Bench
Many of you remember Erin Lively, who passed away recently after battling cancer with exemplary grace and faith. Many of you joined in praying the rosary on her behalf on Wednesday evenings in our grotto over the past several months. And, many of you contributed to provide a memorial bench in the grotto in her honor. The bench has been placed in the grotto and, like Erin, it is very inspirational. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the contributors and invite everyone to visit the grotto and [...]