Some years ago, after I sat in a parish confessional for two Saturday afternoons in a row waiting in vain for a penitent to show up, I brought up the matter with a few parishioners. “Why don’t people make use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation more often?” I wanted to know. A younger parishioner spoke...Read More

I. Introduction Is anyone here rooting for the Ravens this Sunday? I thought so! I would point out that since I became Archbishop of Baltimore almost 10 months ago, the Orioles got to the playoffs for the first time in years and now the Ravens are in the Super Bowl. Let’s think a little bit...Read More

I. Introduction Warmest thanks to you, Bishop Bransfield, for inviting me to take part in the Red Mass of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. It happens that this also is my first visit as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Baltimore. The Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston are not only neighbors but are also part...Read More

This year’s celebration of the Lord’s birth, the Holy Innocents, and the Holy Family are more poignant than ever as we continue to pray for the grieving families in Newtown. The birth of the Eternal Son of God as a helpless child reminds us of how precious the life of each child is. The Holy...Read More

I. Introduction By now many of us have become familiar with Msgr. Weiss, the Pastor of St. Rose of Lima, in Newtown. He has truly exemplified the priesthood at its best in the way he and the young priests who serve with him reached out in love to the grieving families in his parish and...Read More

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, a debate is underway about the best way to rebuild. Many residents of coastal areas that were devastated by that terrible storm would not only like to have their homes restored but also to re-build them so as to withstand future storms. No one can realistically imagine that Sandy...Read More

The Christmas Story may well be the greatest story ever told. No, not the book and movie of the same name about a boy’s obsessive desire for the holy grail of Christmas presents: a Red Rider BB Gun. I am referring to the real Christmas Story, the true story of the birth of Jesus Christ...Read More

I. Introduction As all of us are painfully aware, last Friday morning, in Newtown, Connecticut, a town in the Diocese I previously served, an unspeakable tragedy occurred and now people all across the nation and around the world are mourning the loss of so many innocents. For me the tragedy struck in a personal way...Read More