Introduction Currently, I am a member of a search committee charged with finding a new president for Mt. St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, MD. In that capacity, I expected to work hard but sadly, did not expect to be inspired. I was wrong. One of the candidates was asked how best to advance the Catholic...Read More

This weekend, our church celebrates World Day for Consecrated Life. As the name suggests, it is a time to highlight those who have consecrated themselves to God and to their countless good works “by the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.” Though I am not a member of a religious institute, nor a member of an...Read More

Introduction When I was growing up, my parents went through a lot of trouble to point out things that I should notice. Sometimes they said, “Look, your shoes are untied” – or “look out” when I knocked a ceramic platter to the floor. Dad knew I liked old cars, so when I was in the...Read More

More than 4,000 people provided more than 60,000 comments and responses to the nearly 40 questions contained in the document issued by the Vatican in preparation for the Extraordinary Synod on the Family, called for by Pope Francis to be held this October. The pope called for the synod, whose theme is “Pastoral Challenges to...Read More

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