I write this message from Hong Kong where I am preaching the annual retreat to the bishops and priests of Hong Kong and Macau. When I was assigned to Saint John the Evangelist Church in 1991, I began to work […]
I write to you to you today from Cathay Pacific flight 831 en route from JFK to Hong Kong. It is a 16 hour flight and I just read Pope Francis’ latest Encyclical, Delexit Nos (He loved us). It is […]
You only have to look at the worshipers at our Masses at St. John’s Church to see that a significant portion of those gathering – whether they are members or visitors – are seniors. The same is true in our […]
Most Catholics know that Halloween is the vigil of the feast of All Saints which is on November 1. Halloween means “All Hallows Eve”, the word hallow being an old form of the word holy. When we pray the Our […]
October is the month of the Holy Rosary. I was told as a child that the Catholic Church dedicates the two most beautiful months of the year (May and October) to Mary, the Mother of Jesus. I understand that every […]
In this column over the past few months, I have related several facts of the remarkable history of Saint John Church, notably the founding of Saint John’s Hospice and Holy Redeemer Chinese mission, both outgrowths of the charitable and missionary […]
The 2019 Pew Research Center survey on Catholic belief in the Eucharist rocked the US Catholic Church and spawned the “Eucharistic Revival” program of the past couple of years. In that study, 69% of US Catholics said that they believe […]
The 2023-24 summary financial report (with a comparison to the previous fiscal year) is enclosed in today’s bulletin. Please review it carefully. Here are some observations: First, I am grateful to you and to God that we collected more money […]
I am happy to be back in Philadelphia. I was elected as a delegate to the General Chapter of the Capuchin Order, a three week meeting. I was with 172 friars from all over the world. There are Capuchins in […]
I am still in Rome. On Saturday, September 7, all the members of the Capuchin Chapter went to Assisi for a day long pilgrimage. At the tomb of Saint Francis, our General Minister, made his oath of profession of faith […]