Words of Welcome Every day we pray the Our Father and the Hail Mary. We pray these prayers as children of our loving Father, adopted through Baptism. By baptism we are the brothers and sisters of Christ. And thus we also invoke the holy name of Mary for we are her spiritual sons and daughters....Read More

Introduction: Working Out I doubt you are interested in my workout routine so I will mention it only in passing as a way of getting into today’s Gospel. Most days I try to do between forty-five minutes and an hour on the elliptical. Elevating my heart rate for a sustained period of time is one...Read More

Introduction: Nova et Vetera In the years following the II Vatican Council, and in the teaching of successive Popes, the Church’s main focus has been on evangelization. This includes bringing the light and love of the Gospel to places where it has never been heard, to far-flung countries. It also includes re-igniting the flame of...Read More

Introduction: A Moment of Decision Years ago it was not uncommon for seminarians to begin their studies in high school. We used to call them “lifers” and I am among the last of the lifers. I entered high school seminary at the age of age of 14 in 1965. It was quite an adjustment. The...Read More

Introduction Well, here we are again, gathered for the Catholic Schools Convocation. Gracing us with their presence is Bishop Madden, a true friend of our schools, together with priests and religious women and men who lead and support Catholic schools in so many ways. I am delighted to greet Dr. Edmondson, the Superintendent of Catholic...Read More

Aug. 15 marked the 225th anniversary of the consecration of the first bishop of Baltimore and the first Catholic bishop of the United States, John Carroll. We owe much to Archbishop Carroll, whose consecration occurred a full nine months after he was appointed bishop of Baltimore. The ceremony took place in the chapel of the...Read More

Introduction A newspaper clipping survives that describes the sermon which a Dominican priest delivered at Father McGivney’s funeral Mass. It says that “Father Higgins’ remarks occupied about forty minutes, and many were moved to tears.” If I were to speak for forty minutes this afternoon there would not be tears but desperation. So, in the...Read More

Introduction I am delighted to be with you today and I want to thank Bishop Lennon most sincerely for inviting me to address you on the topic of religious freedom. Before turning to the topic at hand let me mention that for many years I served as the priest-secretary of James Cardinal Hickey of Washington....Read More