Bishop's Reflections

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Merry Christmas! The Christmas season is one of my favorite times of the year. There is something invigorating about the hustle and bustle leading up to the celebration of Christ’s birth.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Another year has come and gone, and we find ourselves navigating the hustle and bustle leading up to Christmas. Recently, our Diocesan Center staff gathered for our annual Advent Mass and Christmas Lunch.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.” John 6:54-55

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This month, our Diocese will take up the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC) collection. As I reflect back on the past several years, the past two in particular, the role communications has played in our Diocese and our parishes has certainly evolved.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As we near the end of the 50 day Easter season and approach Pentecost, I am reminded of our Lord’s words in John’s Gospel when He said, “Peace be with you.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Christ is Risen! Alleluia! These words of celebration are heard many times throughout the Easter season, but they were not the initial reaction experienced that Resurrection morning.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. We hear these words this Easter during the Responsorial Psalm, yet, after this past year of living with the COVID-19 virus, rejoicing might be the last thing on our minds.

On Thursday morning, February 23, we all learned the tragic news that Russia had invaded Ukraine. To aid the people of Ukraine, all parishes in the Diocese are invited to take a special collection on any weekend prior to Easter.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In my visits throughout the Diocese, especially around Lent, I have sometimes heard it said that, “This Lent, I’m giving up ‘giving up.’”

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Many Christmas Carols have fascinating backstories. The beloved Carol, Joy to the World, has one such interesting history.