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

Over the past couple weeks, a series of undercover videos posted online have shown leaders from Planned Parenthood discussing their abortion clinics’ sale of fetal tissue from abortions and the altering of abortion methods for no reason other than to obtain more “intact” organs. In one of the videos, an official from Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion...Read More

Introduction You know, sometimes I think that the Transfiguration deserves a lot more attention than we tend to give it. We encounter this mystery twice during the liturgical year – a Gospel account of the Transfiguration is always read on the 2nd Sunday of Lent as a way of spurring us on during our Lenten...Read More

Introduction Poor old Moses. Not only did he have to confront Pharaoh and led his people out of Egypt, he was stuck in the desert with them for forty years and had to listen endlessly to their complaints. Today’s first reading could be summed up in a few words: “The food is bad.” Never mind...Read More

Introduction I’d like to begin by offering my warmest thanks to the Chaplains of the Order. I am delighted that so many of us are gathered together and that we can have this time to support one another in our ministry in behalf of our brother Knights and their families. I often mention at these...Read More