Introduction As a very young priest, I served under a good pastor. Yet in his kindness, he made a serious mistake. He allowed me to plan and celebrate the Easter Vigil when I had been a priest less than a year. It turned out to be a rainy evening but I was undeterred. I gathered...Read More

A First Mass Homily? Dear seminarians: Suppose that on the day after your priestly ordination, you went to your home parish to celebrate your first Mass, stood in the pulpit, and proclaimed yourself to be the Messiah. No doubt the eyes of the entire congregation would be upon you! This must be one of the reasons...Read More

Much has been said and written about the latest national educational standards known as the Common Core State Standards or, more simply, Common Core. As those affiliated with the public school systems publicly debate the merits and shortcomings of Common Core, I thought it may be helpful to discuss the relationship between archdiocesan schools and...Read More

Formed and inspired by faithful men, Karol Wojtyła became a powerful father figure for many. Years ago, while serving as Cardinal James A. Hickey’s priest-secretary, I had the privilege of joining a small number of priests who concelebrated an early morning Mass in Pope John Paul II’s private chapel. Afterward, the Holy Father greeted each...Read More