Bishop's Reflections

My dear brothers and sisters, it’s hard to think that this will be one of my final messages to you as your bishop. In just a few days, our Diocese will welcome Bishop Timothy Senior as the Twelfth Bishop of Harrisburg, and I will begin a new role as the Bishop Emeritus.

“There is work to be done … there is work to be done, and it is the transcendent work of Jesus Christ. There is work to be done, and there is so little time for its doing.

In late May, Bishop Ronald Gainer sat down with Rachel Troche of the Diocese’s “Candid Catholic Convos” podcast and Jen Reed of The Catholic Witness for an interview about his upcoming retirement, the transition of welcoming a new Bishop of Harrisburg, and the challenges and joys of his ministry.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Only yesterday it seems that we were gathering in our parishes to celebrate our Lord’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Yet now, we find ourselves a few short days away from Pentecost, the day we celebrate the Lord sending us the Holy Spirit.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. These words of celebration are heard through our Responsorial Psalm on Easter Sunday, and they are words of great hope in the gift Christ gave us through his death and resurrection.

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, “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.