In our daily work, we all face temptations. Sometimes it’s the temptation to get ahead at any cost. At other times, there are temptations to take short cuts. Then there is the temptation to give in to discouragement when things don’t go as they should. In the second part of his exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium” (The...Read More

Introduction Let me begin with words of appreciation for the leadership, participation & generosity of you, the lay faithful, of this parish of St. Joseph-on-Carrollton Manor. What a day of joy as we bless and dedicate this beautiful new home for a growing family of faith! How grateful we are to the planners, architects, &...Read More

Introduction: Is There Anything New Under the Sun? Soon after Christmas, I came across a well-known passage from the Old Testament. It is found in the Book of Ecclesiastes and it goes this way: “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!” (Ecclesiastes, 1:2) This passage goes on to say: “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes...Read More

Introduction As a very young priest, I served under a good pastor. Yet in his kindness, he made a serious mistake. He allowed me to plan and celebrate the Easter Vigil when I had been a priest less than a year. It turned out to be a rainy evening but I was undeterred. I gathered...Read More

The Gap between Belief and Action Whenever I preach, I am conscious of my unworthiness, for the words that I preach are not my own. No, they are words of Christ and thus reflect a matchless degree of holiness. The same is true for anyone who bears witness to Christ; if our testimony to Christ...Read More

A First Mass Homily? Dear seminarians: Suppose that on the day after your priestly ordination, you went to your home parish to celebrate your first Mass, stood in the pulpit, and proclaimed yourself to be the Messiah. No doubt the eyes of the entire congregation would be upon you! This must be one of the reasons...Read More

This is my last column before we celebrate Palm Sunday and the sacred liturgies of the Triduum. As we continue our journey together through Lent and through the Pope’s apostolic exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium” (The Joy of the Gospel), it is an opportune moment to reflect on the relationship of Christ’s death and resurrection to our...Read More

Much has been said and written about the latest national educational standards known as the Common Core State Standards or, more simply, Common Core. As those affiliated with the public school systems publicly debate the merits and shortcomings of Common Core, I thought it may be helpful to discuss the relationship between archdiocesan schools and...Read More