“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” You can almost hear the tone of voice of the apostles when they ask this. Can’t you hear the fear, along with profound pain, that they feel, as their friend sleeps, apparently indifferent to the terrible situation? They would’ve asked, “Jesus, have you forgotten us?” When my father’s illness took a turn for the worse, and his death was imminent, by mother called me on the phone, it was a few... Read more
Imagine a group of boys playing soccer in the neighborhood. One of them kicks the ball, and the next thing you hear is broken glass. An upset mother walks out the front door after thirty seconds fuming, going toward the boys who are standing there stunned, silent, because they had been told to play in the park, and not near the houses. The mom, visibly upset asks, “who did this? Who broke the window?” The boys just look at each... Read more
In the year 107, Ignatius was arrested in the city of Antioch in the Roman province of Syria, and was condemned to death for not renouncing his faith in Jesus Christ. He was eventually sent to Rome to die, where he was thrown into the Circus Maximus to be devoured by beasts – a common practice at that time to execute prisoners. During his journey to Rome in the year 110, less than 80 years after the death and resurrection... Read more
I first wrote this article titled “Who Will Milk the Cows?” in 2013 and unfortunately, the issue it addresses is as pertinent today as it was eleven years ago. On May 1st, Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia signed a bill into law that will force local sheriff and police departments to check the immigration status of detainees, a job of the federal government. A person without a criminal record, if pulled over for a busted tail light, could end up... Read more
Esta es una homilia predicada el fin de semana del Buen Pastor a mis parroquianos que son todos inmigrantes, o hijos de inmigrantes. Imagínense a una ovejita del rebaño de Jesús, que, atraída por praderas verdes y aguas frescas, se separó del rebaño. Al inicio estaba de lo más contenta, había tanto para comer, y su barriguita quedó bien llena. El agua tan fresca le calmó su sed. En eso, la ovejita levantó la mirada, ¿y que noto? Que ya... Read more
Today we celebrate the victory of the light over darkness. The victory of hope over despair. The victory of life over death. Many centuries ago, the first Easter Sunday began with profound grief and silence. While still dark, the women got up very early, with their hearts quiet and heavy fully aware of the task they had to undertake that day. They prepared the various ointments, and set off to the tomb where Jesus’ body had been placed two days... Read more
During my freshman year of college at a secular university, way before I considered the Priesthood, I took a course on religion. We studied the history and beliefs of the main world religions: Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. We also looked at what’s called ‘Philosophy of Religion’ – what are the questions religion answers and what role it plays in the story of humankind. One day, my professor who was a Catholic (and German), asked us a personal question,... Read more
At the baptism of a child, the priest or deacon traces the sign of the cross on the forehead of the baby at the beginning of the rite, and invites the parents and godparents to do the same. The priest says to the child, “the Christian community welcomes you with great joy, and in its name I claim you for Christ our Savior by the sign of the cross.” The cross on our foreheads indicates to whom we belong. We... Read more
A inicios del 2015 viajé a Roma como Promotor Vocacional de nuestra Diócesis junto con Monseñor Hartmayer para llevar a cabo la visita oficial del seminario donde estudiaba el ahora ordenado Padre Andrew Larkin. Durante su estancia en Roma, Mons. Hartmayer solicitó una cita en la Congregación para las Causas de los Santos (ahora llamada Dicasterio para las Causas de los Santos) para informarse sobre el estado de la Causa de Beatificación de Fray Pedro de Corpa y Compañeros. La... Read more
In the early months of 2015, I traveled to Rome as Vocation Director of our Diocese along with Bishop Hartmayer for the official annual visit to the now Father Andrew Larkin who at that time was studying at the North American College in Rome. While in the city, Bishop Hartmayer requested an appointment at the Congregation for the Causes of Saints (now called Dicastery for the Causes of Saints) in order to inquire about the status of the Cause for... Read more
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