News - April 2019 RSS Feed

Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston issued a pastoral letter in 2016 entitled “God’s Mercy Runs to Meet Us” for Divine Mercy Sunday. I thought that it would be good to look at it again on this Divine Mercy Sunday. In the pastoral letter he recommends seven actions for this Jubilee Year of Mercy. The sixth recommendation is to practice each of the works of mercy at least once.

Christ is Risen, alleluia! He is risen indeed, alleluia! Happy Easter to all who are at Mass on this most glorious Easter day. I want to give a special word of welcome to our visitors who are joining us for Mass today. I hope that you feel very welcome, for indeed you are! Often on Easter when I greet people after the Masses, people stop and ask me questions. Let me mention some questions that I have been asked over the years on Easter Sunday and then answer the questions.

Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, publicized on April 7, 2019 the appointment of the Most Reverend Wilton Gregory as the new Archbishop of Washington by Pope Francis. The press release from the USCCB contains the following information about our Archbishop.

Every April, organizations that serve children and youth participate in National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This included Catholic dioceses, parishes, and schools. The purpose of this observance is to highlight the importance of protecting minors from abuse. Such efforts are part of the ongoing work of the Catholic Church in the United States to carry out the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

From March 4-21 Cyclone Idai devastated the African countries of Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. It is an item that has barely made the news and yet over 750 people were called. Many more will probably die from malaria and cholera with the devastation caused by this storm. Our US Bishops offer prayers and solidarity for recovery after the deadly cyclone hit those countries.