Cardinal Wuerl promulgated a Pastoral Plan to implement Pope Francis’ post-synodal apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia (AL), on Sunday March 4, 2018. The fourth section of the Pastoral Plan stresses the importance of parish life. Today I want to present some thoughts for accompanying engaged couples that are presented in this section of the pastoral plan.

Marriage preparation does not begin when a person meets their future spouse or are engaged. “Marriage preparation begins at birth,” Pope Francis notes, and continues through each stage of our lives (AL, 208). The best way to discern or prepare for a vocation is to live one’s faith wholeheartedly and generously.

Cardinal Wuerl promulgated a Pastoral Plan to implement Pope Francis’ post-synodal apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, on Sunday March 4, 2018. The fourth section of the pastoral plan stresses the importance of parish life. Cardinal Wuerl introduces this section with these noteworthy comments:

One of the features of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday evening was the Presentation of the Oils. I was asked after the Mass was about the significance of these oils. I want to devote the column today to this important question.

Christ is risen! Alleluia! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! A very happy Easter to everyone who is here for Mass this Easter Sunday. All are welcome as we celebrate Easter and the feast of Christ rising from the dead.

Cardinal Wuerl promulgated a Pastoral Plan to implement Pope Francis’ post-synodal apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, on Sunday March 4, 2018. I am going to devote several columns to this Pastoral Plan,

Cardinal Wuerl promulgated a Pastoral Plan to implement Pope Francis' post-synodal apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, on Sunday March 4, 2018. I am going to devote several columns to this Pastoral Plan, as Cardinal Wuerl hopes that parishes, priests, deacons, religious, and laity will reflect on the following:

I have been reading and praying on the message of Pope Francis for Lent 2018. Last week I shared some thoughts on his message in this column. Today I want to continue and conclude these thoughts and reflections.

I have been reading and praying on the message of Pope Francis for Lent 2018. I want to share some thoughts on his message in my column today. In this year’s Lenten message Pope Francis takes his cue from these words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew: “Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold” (24:12).

Lent has begun! For my column this week I want to use some material from the “Light Is on for You 2018 Parish Toolkit” that has been distributed to priests of the Archdiocese of Washington. Let’s look at Why Go to Confession?

Last week I gave some advice to parents of children who are intermediate elementary school level (grades 4-6) about activities that could do at home to strengthen their understanding and acceptance of the teaching of our Catholic faith in the areas of the knowledge of the faith, liturgy and sacraments, morality, prayer, education for living in the Christian community, and evangelization and apostolic life. This week I want give similar advice to the parents of children who are young adolescents. This would include students in the seventh and eighth grades.

Last week I gave some advice to parents of children who are in the primary or early elementary level (grades 1-3) about activities that they could do at home to strengthen their understanding and acceptance of the teaching of our Catholic faith in the areas of the knowledge of the faith, liturgy and sacraments, morality, prayer, education for living in the Christian community, and evangelization and apostolic life. This week I want to give similar advice to the parents of children who are intermediate elementary school level. This would include students in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades.

Two weeks ago I gave some advice to parents of children who are of kindergarten age (4-5) about activities that they could do at home to strengthen their understanding and acceptance of the teaching of our Catholic faith in the areas of the knowledge of the faith, liturgy and sacraments, morality, prayer, education for living in the Christian community, and evangelization and apostolic life. This week I want to give similar advice to the parents of children who are in primary or early elementary school level. This would include students in the first, second, and third grades.

For the past fifty years the Church has observed National Migration Week. This year it occurred from January 7-14, 2018. I want to share some of Cardinal Wuerl’s remarks about National Migration Week 2018 and then report on a disturbing development with a statement by Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin, Texas, chair of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Migration. First let me present some reflections from Cardinal Wuerl:

Last week I gave some advice to parents of children who are of pre-kindergarten age (3-4) about activities that they could do at home to strengthen their understanding and acceptance of the teaching of our Catholic faith in the areas of the knowledge of the faith, liturgy and sacraments, morality, prayer, education for living in the Christian community, and evangelization and apostolic life. This week I want to give similar advice to the parents of children who are in kindergarten.

As we begin this New Year I want to begin a series in which I discuss some things that parents can do to strengthen the knowledge and practice of the faith in their homes. As a basis for these reflections, I am going to use a tool that the Archdiocesan Office of Religious Education prepared in 2011: Forming Disciples for the New Evangelization.

One of the things that I love to do during the Advent and Christmas season is to go to Christmas plays, concerts, and other activities that children put on for their parents, grandparents, and the wider community. I was invited to a Nativity play that was put on by our students in our Preschool/Kindergarten program that is held on Sundays from 11:10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

One of the songs of the Christmas season that I like is “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” which Andy Williams made popular a number of years ago now. One of the reasons that I think that it is the most wonderful time of the year is seeing the selfless generosity of so many people.

Earlier this month Bishop Frank Dewane of Venice, Florida, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, urged Congress to fix tax policies that were fundamentally flawed as the House of Representatives and Senate tried to reach agreement on a final bill.

On December 2, 2017 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement as the U.S. Senate passed its tax reform bill. Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice Florida, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development called for Congress to fix fundamentally flawed tax policies as the House of Representatives and Senate attempt to reach agreement on a final bill.