Introduction Some years ago, I was on a flight to New York. When we took off, the plane encountered turbulence. I happened to be praying my Breviary and was very aware that the passenger in the next seat was watching me. As the plane bounced around, he said, “Pardon me, Father, are you praying because...Read More

Pope Francis recently reaffirmed that religious freedom is “a fundamental human right” and warned against the impulse to “relegate [religions] to the enclosed precincts of churches, synagogues or mosques.” The freedom of religion cannot be reduced to the freedom of worship. This resonates with the rich tradition of religious liberty in our country, which has...Read More

On his last Christmas as Archbishop of Washington, the late Cardinal James Hickey, my friend and mentor, gave me a gift. It was a small ivory statute of Our Lady in a beautiful leather triptych. “I bought this many years ago,” he explained, “to give to a bishop I worked for – but he died...Read More

Introduction: The Post-Christmas “Blues” At the risk of getting everyone upset, I’d like to bring up an unpleasant topic. Yes, at the very pinnacle of the Christmas season, when we’re all in church, when families are together and gifts are being given, when Christmas lights shine most brightly, and yuletide joy is overflowing, I’d like...Read More

Introduction Already we are beginning the Second Week of Advent. It is the beginning of a new liturgical year, a time when we are called to open our hearts more widely to Christ as we remember and re-live yet again the events of his life – his coming into the world, his teaching and miracles,...Read More

Just last week Pope Francis issued an extraordinary document called “Gaudium Evangelii” meaning “The Joy of the Gospel”. In this day of Facebook and Twitter, a long document such as this might not be noticed. But Pope Francis has a way of getting us to sit up and to take notice … to take notice...Read More

Introduction First, let me say what a pleasure it is to return to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, the parish of my childhood. It was here that I received my First Holy Communion, here that I was confirmed, and here that I first heard the call to become a priest. It was also here,...Read More

Introduction It is a great pleasure to visit St. Ignatius Loyola Parish and to have the opportunity to celebrate with you the Solemnity of Christ the King. Indeed, there is quite a lot going on this Sunday – the feast day itself that proclaims the true nature of Christ’s kingship & dominion; the closing of...Read More