Introduction Last Tuesday morning, I came by to say hello to Father Bomberger and to see how the parish and neighborhood were doing after a very difficult night. When I got to the Rectory, Father Ray wasn’t there. We were told we could find him across the street and there he was, a lone figure,...Read More

The untimely death of Freddie Gray Jr., a 25-year-old African-American man who died seven days after he reportedly suffered a severe spinal injury while being arrested by Baltimore City police officers, has caused a great deal of pain, sadness and anger among many in our city and surrounding communities. The circumstances of his death, while...Read More

Yesterday and today, the Gospel presents to us the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. He knows us, loves us, and walks with us throughout our journey through life. He is with us in good times and bad, in times of joy, hope, and accomplishment but the Good Shepherd is also with us in...Read More

Introduction: The Situation in Baltimore The Fourth Sunday of Easter is known as Good Shepherd Sunday. In the Gospel Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd who knows us, loves us, walks with us, and guides us along the way. The Shepherd is with us in good times and bad, in times of harmony and...Read More

Good and Gracious God, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name, we come before you today with hearts full of gratitude. For you have created us in your image, male and female you have created us, endowed us with reason and free will, and openness to friendship with you. We...Read More

Introduction Let me begin with warmest thanks for your very kind welcome. It is a privilege to be a part of this lecture series celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Dignitatis Humanae, the Declaration on Religious Liberty promulgated by the Second Vatican Council on December 7th, 1965. My special thanks to you, Father Billy and to...Read More

Last Sunday, Pope Francis formally announced an extraordinary Holy Year dedicated to God’s mercy. He fittingly chose the second Sunday of Easter, known as Divine Mercy Sunday since the pontificate of St. John Paul II, to invite each of us to look upon the face of the Risen Lord Jesus as the Face of God’s...Read More

Introduction Yesterday Pope Francis formally announced an extraordinary Holy Year dedicated to God’s Mercy. He timed his announcement for this Second Sunday of Easter, Mercy Sunday, as it has been known since the days of St. John Paul II. And in the very first words of his announcement, Pope Francis invites us to look upon...Read More