Model for all Believers – October 2020

. . . you became a model for all the believers

1 Thes 1:7

My Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

In the papal encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis joyfully shares, “Let us dream, then, as a single human family, …

Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate – Oct. 3, 2020

Today, the Church of Orlando is blessed as we are about to ordain 14 of our brothers to the Permanent Diaconate. I welcome you to the beautiful Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe. I thank …

Prayer – October 2020

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
so that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to our call.

Eph 1:17-18

My Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

I begin these thoughts …

Blue Mass – Sept. 29, 2020

Every year we come together here at St. James Cathedral to honor and pray for our first responders on the Feast Day of St. Michael the Archangel, the patron of first responders. On the morning of this day last year, …

Forgiveness – September 2020

Forgive your neighbor’s injustice;
then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.

Sirach 28:2

My Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

On Wednesday, August 26, during his catechesis for the General Audience, Pope Francis said, “In the face of …

Follow Jesus – August 2020

Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.

Matthew 16:24

My Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

With the pandemic still at large, I pray that you can better understand Jesus’s words from …

House of Prayer – August 2020

. . . for my house shall be called
a house of prayer for all peoples.

Isaiah 56:7

My Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

What is the line of divide among us? Is it wearing a mask vs. not? Is …

Ordination to the Priesthood – July 25, 2020

Each year, June 29th is a special day in Rome; the feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul. On that day, the newly appointed archbishops from all over the world gather in Rome to receive their pallium from the …

Compassion – July 2020

And you taught your people, by these deeds,
that those who are just must be kind;
and you gave your children good ground for hope
that you would permit repentance for their sins.

Wisdom 12:19

My Sisters and Brothers in …

Carriers of Good News – June 2020

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation;
announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9

My Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

Who carries the Good News …