I hope that the recent announcement by our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, that he would beatify his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, brought a sense of joy to the hearts of Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
Archive for Category: "That They May All Be One"
Much to celebrate during Catholic Schools Week
Catholic Schools Week 2011 began on Jan. 30 and will run through Feb. 6. This annual celebration is scheduled to include the feast of St. John Bosco (Jan. 31) who, in the mid-19th century, responded to the plight of homeless and abandoned children living in Turin, Italy, by founding orphanages and schools to care for [...]
Book: God exists, and he matters to us
“We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us, while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit” (1 John 4:6).
In Haiti, new beginnings hard to come by
Most Americans embrace the beginning of a new year with the hope that life will be better in the months ahead. We make annual resolutions to alter what we want changed in our daily routine. Then we set out with determination to see those same promises through. With the new year, we almost naturally look forward to new beginnings.
Revealing the face of God
In the context of the Last Supper in the 14th chapter of St. John’s Gospel, St. Philip says to Jesus: “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
This was, at first glance, a rather reasonable request. As human beings, we often contend that “seeing is believing.” We want proof, concrete proof, so as to verify the truth of the matter at hand.
Changes in lay pension plan were necessary
Last Thursday, as you know well, our nation celebrated its annual feast of giving thanks for all the blessings we have received. It is the closest we come to a secular holy day — that is, a holiday not associated with a religious feast.
While I reviewed with gratitude the countless blessings I have received in my life, I was, at the same time, conscious of the challenges I have been given as well.
Which angel’s basket will you contribute to?
There is a legend that speaks about two angels who were sent down from heaven, each with a basket in hand. They went from place to place, to poor houses and rich houses, visiting the children saying their prayers and people worshipping in their churches. In short, they visited believers, young and old alike.
No bishop is a single-issue teacher
For reasons I will make clear at the end of this article, I thought it might be helpful to review the schedule I kept this past weekend.
Fostering a communion of faith, hope and love
After two years of consultation, and much prayer and reflection on the part of many, I am announcing our Strategic Plan for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. This plan is the culmination of a process launched in February 2009 when I named the Archdiocesan Strategic Planning Task Force.
School visit offers glimpse of the future
I have been thinking lately how nice it would be to have a crystal ball in order to see clearly the future success of our Strategic Plan for Parishes and Schools. Well, I had an experience a week ago Sunday that came very close to that experience.
Many activities, blessings mark fall’s arrival
While the summer months never seem to slow down enough, September, by way of contrast, has certainly been characterized by a flurry of activities.
One of the highlights for me thus far has been the opening Mass at The St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, which this year marks a record enrollment of 98 resident students of which 40 seminarians are from this archdiocese. What a tremendous blessing that is!
Standing up for the truth about marriage
Sept. 19 is Catechetical Sunday. Each year a new theme is chosen by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to reflect the most pressing and urgent topics relative to catechetical instruction. The theme this year is “Matrimony: Sacrament of Enduring Love.” I firmly believe this is a most timely topic as many, both in [...]
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