What I Have Seen and Heard
""
"Although people get married every day, and ordinations take place throughout the calendar year, this time of year seems to have a surplus of wedding anniversaries and priesthood ordination anniversaries."
"Patriotism is a deeply religious virtue!"
"Would St. Paul Twitter?"
"For the first millennium of Christianity there was one Church."
"The newest Catholics are an important reminder that God is still at work within His Church bringing forth life and hope for each generation."
"Most of us would tend to regard the profession of teaching as the fine art of transmitting learning from the teacher to the pupil, and indeed that is the ordinary progression and directional flow in the classroom."
"Last Thursday evening more than 550 people gathered for our second annual Catholic Charities Gala at the JW Marriott in Buckhead."
"Routinely over the past 50 years, I have had the great privilege of celebrating or participating in the ceremonies of the Triduum, but because of my temporarily limited mobility, this year I was obliged to pray those hours that I have never prayed before in the quiet of my home chapel."
"I don't know of any person who has not been repeatedly dismayed and shocked during these last few weeks with the news of too many acts of senseless and unpredictable violence."
"I praise God for giving this local Church so many skillful young priests who apparently have taken to their first pastorates like 'ducks to water.'"
"Perspective shades the way we all tend to view things...Three weeks ago, I tore my Achilles tendon playing racquetball."
"Each penance should fit the person and not be so difficult as to guarantee frustration and ultimate failure."
"To have fire damage any church building is a deeply felt sorrow for the parishioners and should touch the hearts of all of their fellow Catholics."
"I welcome all those within the Archdiocese of Atlanta who will grace us through the Easter Sacraments in a few weeks’ time."
"Our Archdiocesan Pastoral Council is developing into a forum of wisdom and dialogue."
"Last Saturday evening, I heard a homily that caused me to reflect in faith upon an experience that I had also shared."
"The Franciscans will be participating in "A Chapter of Mats" this April to mark their eighth century of establishment in 1209."
"When folks encounter a warm and sincere welcome at the church door, they are inclined to return."
"I'm going to school this week!"
"I often feel that this time of the year is a triptych for Catholics in North Georgia because we celebrate in rapid succession three different, although thematically related, moments during the middle of January."
"The time that I spent with little ones last week was a blessing for me since it reminded me of how much the Church depends upon the witness of Faith that children find in their homes and in the lives of their parents."
"After four years, I think that I have identified one of the more important characteristics of ecclesial life in the Archdiocese of Atlanta—we are a community that welcomes diverse cultural traditions, usually with only minor difficulty!"
"May 2009 be a year of grace and peace for each home and heart in this local Church."
"The excitement of this wondrous season is now noticeably upon us as we prepare to celebrate the Mystery of Christmas—the free choice of God Almighty to become one with us, born an Infant of a Virgin Mother."
"'It was the best of times; it was the worst of times'."
"Monday marked the 50th anniversary of the horrible Our Lady of the Angels School fire that claimed 92 young lives and the lives of three women religious."
"We thank God at this time of year, as the harvest is gathered in and the bounty of the earth gives us reasons to once again acknowledge that we have received disproportionately more than our labors merit."
"I like to hold the door open for those who come into God's house."
"I suggest that before you purchase your Christmas cards and stamps, you pause to remember that Christmas is a religious holiday and festival. It is the commemoration of the Birth of the Word Made Flesh."
"The bonds of the Church are not broken with death; we are called to pray for those who are still completing their journey into the fullness of life with God."
"I deliberately chose to save this column until the final weekend before our election so that I could speak with you about these issues in those closing moments before you cast your ballots."
"The other day, I happened to receive a spam message that read “quit your boring job!” I laughed out loud at the suggestion that my job was “boring.”"
"October is the month of the Holy Rosary and like the month of May, Catholics everywhere seem to be drawn to the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary."
"There are no people who are 'just a Catholic.' "
"Life has changed for all of us."
"An important, universal and unavoidable dimension of adolescence is hero admiration."
"I began writing this weekly column almost 15 years ago, soon after beginning my service as the bishop of Belleville, Ill...I now look upon it as a great blessing and a vital expression of my responsibility as a bishop of the Church."
"To be a disciple is to become a person fixed on the challenges of tomorrow."
"May all of our priests now listen carefully to that Spirit whispering to each one of us."
"Faith is a lifelong journey..."
"I love sports, and what I may lack in athletic talent, I try to make up for in enthusiasm."
"Some of you might wonder: 'What do bishops talk about when they get together?' We talk about you!"
"Mary did it for us!"
"We Americans are all too accustomed to our personal liberty trumping all other concerns, but there are times when the common good must triumph over personal freedom."
"While schedules do not permit me to attend all of the separate graduation events that fill the calendars of our schools, I wanted to share with all of our graduates some personal reflections that I was able to offer to those whose ceremonies I did attend so far this year..."
"Each generation should have a place of honor within the community of the Church."
"I urge all of you to become more familiar with the work of the Hawthorne Dominican Sisters and our Cancer Home on our archdiocesan Web site."
"Marriage is a public promise that brings reassurance and happiness to two individual hearts and to the heart of the Church."
"Viva il Papa!"
"The Catholic Church in the United States of America will be the focus of intense media attention this week because Peter will be in our midst!"
"These [building] projects confirm the obvious growth and expansion of the church throughout the Archdiocese of Atlanta. They are indications that we are an increasing community of Faith."
"Forty years after the deaths of Archbishop Hallinan and Dr. King, we should consider the progress that we have made as an archdiocese and as a nation a splendid and well-deserved tribute to the goodness of both of these men."
"Titles are very important and wonderful, but the way that we treat one another is far more significant."
"This week, I will bless oils, wash feet, walk the way of the Cross, ignite a new fire, bathe and anoint new Catholics and, above all, gaze upon the faces of those who hold our Catholic Faith sacred in their lives."
"Since we are about to begin a concentrated period of the celebration of the sacrament of confirmation in the weeks following Easter, I think it might be helpful for me to remind our parents and youngsters in their consideration of just who will fulfill that role in the lives of our confirmandi."
"Catholic social teaching is a rich source of good judgment and moral perspective on a host of public policy issues."
"...the Catholic Church is thriving in this archdiocese and ... parishes play such a vital role in passing on the faith."
"These families represent the diversity of our Archdiocese and most of them over the years have discovered many ways of encouraging and supporting their relatives who have special needs but who also possess special gifts for the life of their families and the Church."
"May all of us pursue the grace of these 40 days with intense confidence in God’s grace—even if the sobriety and restraint that usually describes Lent for most of us was a bit tardy this year."
"May our Catholic schools continue to provide the same type of atmosphere of faith, excellence and joy that caused a certain young man to seek out the baptismal font … and eventually the Priesthood of Jesus Christ."
"Communications and media capabilities have made it possible for on-the-spot sharing of information, which can and should be a tremendous blessing in bringing the human family together."
"It snowed twice last week, a rare event for Atlanta, and I could not help but chuckle that God’s way of responding to our prayer is often not what we might have envisioned when we originally asked Him to help us."
"I always feel very much like a parent when I visit the seminaries where our students are enrolled."
"Epiphany is the feast that reminds the Church of the gifts that the three kings offered the Infant Christ. These women religious certainly are gifts to this local Church."
"Let us begin this New Year of 2008 with a renewed willingness to trust in God’s grace and design for each of us."
"The past is a treasure-the present a blessing! Merry Christmas, my dear sisters and brothers!"
"Set aside some time in an already busy calendar for the sacrament of Penance during these closing days of Advent."
"I'm back at work, and I have returned with a profound experience of the love and prayerful support of so many people in our Archdiocese!"
"This time of year is often described as a time that belongs to children-in fact, the entire Kingdom of God belongs to them!"
"God willing, I will be in attendance at the November [U.S. Bishops' Conference] meeting next year, and I know most of the pastoral challenges will be there since as bishops we must continue to confront all of the current difficulties that belong to us as the pastors of the Church at this moment in time and that will await us tomorrow."
"The list of people who frequently go above and beyond what we might have originally expected is much longer than we occasionally hope for. And whether they do so as an expression of professional competence or as an example of their faith, we can often see Christ present in their actions."
"Whether it be the distribution of contraceptives to our youngsters, or the defense of abortion on demand...if enough people approve of these activities, our world seems to be willing to think that they are OK or appropriate."
"I believe that I have received expert medical advice and that I will have the best of medical care. ... I anticipate returning to a fully active schedule after my recuperation."
"On Monday morning, Nov. 5, I will undergo prostate surgery at Emory University Hospital. I was diagnosed with the early stage prostate cancer after a biopsy in September."
"An important component of every bishop's ministry, no matter where he might serve, is his chancery."
"I invite all Catholics to include in your personal prayers an intention for rain so that the earth that we are entrusted with will be spared even greater damage."
"...the best vocational advertisement continues to be happy, joyful and positive priests and Religious who convey with our enthusiasm, smiles and laughter that God is doing something wonderful in our lives and that He might be willing to do the same in your life-given half the chance."
"...the summer slow-down [is] officially over and that life here in the Church in North Georgia [is] gearing up for an exciting fall and future!"
"We who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ and yet who find ourselves fragmented must embrace and give serious attention to the prayer of Jesus that we all be one."
"Family history remains an important interest for most people even today, and it has a special significance for our young people to learn about their own personal heritage and family origins."
"Let us pray for this great nation of ours that we may truly be a source of hope and freedom in a world that is so different and more fragile than it was on Sept. 11, 2001."
"People are intrigued by the fact that a woman of such enormous and widely known charity and dedication could have experienced doubts of faith."
"I invite all of you, both individually and as parish families, to pray for the safety and well-being of people who live with the power of nature-and from my experience in three different homes, that pretty much includes all of us."
"Seminarians were very much on the minds and in the hearts of those in the Archdiocese of Atlanta within the past couple of weeks..."
"As school shuts down and the clocks are not set for such early hours of rising, as the sun comes up earlier and sets later, we can all enjoy a more leisurely pace. The persons that we are need "down time" to pause and to enjoy so many of God's abundant graces and gifts."
"Young people need to see that such forever promises are possible and that they bring joy, fulfillment and happiness."
"The liturgical calendar is another way that we live out our faith as Catholics. It marks our time as disciples of the Lord and opens for us the Mystery of Christ in a measured, steady fashion."
"Let us remember not only our military personnel on this day, but all of the families of those serving our nation in the armed forces at this time. They too deserve not only our prayerful support, but our deep and enduring gratitude as well."
"The other evening, I spent some time with about 200 of our teenagers for an evening of prayer."
"Mothers are pivotal in helping us come to appreciate, to accept, and to follow our Catholic Faith-or any other religious customs that we have."
"...after almost 24 years of Confirmations and more than 1,500 separate celebrations, it is still one of the activities that I love to do the most."
"Gladly do I pray for those who seek my prayers-and even those who may not have a chance to ask for them personally. I also rely on your prayers for me-because I too need them as a member of this family of believers."
"Selecting a college is a huge decision for every young person fortunate enough to have the opportunity for higher education."
"I celebrated Easter Sunday Mass in the Cathedral gymnasium, where the overflow crowd of young families and guests turned the auditorium into a warm church event. ... What a wonderful sight to behold so many people gathered in what might be considered less than ideal confines to sing with the church an Alleluia to the Risen Christ."
"May this Holy Week be a time for all of us to renew our faith, hope, and love in the Christ who has accomplished all of these things for love of us."
"We are a complex group of peoples who speak several different languages, come from diverse backgrounds, and face specific challenges as we bring our gifts to the Church. Yet the Sacraments that we share unite us to each other and to all Catholics..."
"...We recognized all of the treasures that we currently enjoy in the Archdiocese of Atlanta that are either directly or indirectly the results of so many Irish priests and Religious who helped to establish and continue to serve our parishes and institutions of today."
"Christ still seeks out the sick and wants to comfort them through our visits, our prayers, our cards and notes even today."
"Last Wednesday was Catholic Day at the Georgia Legislature...a watershed moment as the Legislature recognized and applauded the Catholic community here in Georgia. "
"Being a member of the Church means being one with all those who struggle to believe, to love, to serve others and to hope as we do."
"With a humble and contrite heart let us follow the Lord during these 40 days so that we will rise with Him anew at Easter."
"February is not usually associated with the celebration of many new things...Yet this February has been a bit different here in the Archdiocese of Atlanta because we have witnessed three new moments of exhilaration that defy the usual February gloom!"
"These men and women have surrendered their lives, as did the Infant Christ who was presented to God in the Temple-a fitting reminder of the generous surrender that is the hallmark of Religious Life."
"The holiness of Marriage is a matchless gift for the Church and a sign of Christ's Love for us, which is everlasting!"
"The Church in North Georgia has an important investment in the ecumenical dialogue because we live in a rich Christian environment but as a minority Christian presence."
"The Catholic Church in North Georgia is in a unique position to lead the way in showing how all people must live in unity and in mutual respect."
"Every priest is supposed to make a meaningful retreat each year—including bishops!"
"If the Lord is to come during this New Year, then we ought to live in such a way that we will welcome His return - even if He chooses not to return, that’s still pretty sound advice."
"And to you, my dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, may this Christmas be for all of us a moment of grace, happiness and joy. The Mystery of God becoming Man is not a secular feast; it is a moment when the whole world is made new."
"The Kenedy Directory report on the works of kindness that come from the people of this local Church will always be somewhat inaccurate because your goodness is beyond any real perfect measure-except for those records that are kept in God's Kingdom, and they record every act of charity flawlessly!"
"All of us need to remember that the reason for all of this frantic activity is to give ourselves to one another in the presents that we offer."
"After more than 33 years in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ, I have been fortunate to preside at most of the ministries that the Lord offers to His priests."
"We have a number of smaller parishes and missions just like St. Elizabeth Seton's, and some of our now-bustling urban parishes were once small communities like that. The Church in North Georgia exists in many different contexts, and each setting is a blessing."
"Atlanta has been uniquely blessed because we have benefited from the many people who have come here to make their home in North Georgia."
"Saint Joseph's Hospital has embarked upon an ambitious capital campaign, 'Creating the Future of Health Care for Atlanta,' to ensure that future care given to those who seek healing at this outstanding institution is professionally state-of-the-art and that the hospital is financially secure."
"During those years of college, the Church needs to reassure these young people that Faith is not something that you grow out of but something that you grow into. The campus ministry programs are intended to do just that."
"Our Catholic Faith is a beacon that sheds light on the most complex social issues. Don't forget your light when you cast your vote."
"Poverty is a reality that knows few limits in the human condition, and none of us can ever completely ignore its presence."
"The Church has grown to depend upon the ministry of those who are deacons, and we still look for men of good repute to fill those ranks-whether for a brief time before they become our priests or for a lifelong commitment in that Office."
"I spent a bit of quality time last week with some of our young people..."
"Last Monday the Serrans of the Archdiocese of Atlanta hosted their annual Clergy Appreciation and Fun Day at Lake Lanier."
"When we look at the future, we must all be grateful for the work of the past...We want to be grateful for all the efforts of the true champions of our heritage who have laid the foundation for the successes that we enjoy today."
"Kindred Spirits – Singles 40 & Better...I endorse this group as an important expression of the mission of the Church."
"I have found the members of the Council of Catholic Women to be the most generous participants in Church life that one could ever hope to encounter."
"The interview was a fascinating exchange and gave the world an informative glimpse into the man who is now our Holy Father. "
"...the Archdiocese of Atlanta is growing and developing into an evermore vibrant community of Faith, and we need to find ways to provide for those services that are the obvious result of 50 years of growth and faith - a happy problem to be sure."
"It’s good to be back!"
"Thank you for the Eucharistic Congress!"
"We are an Archdiocese that is richly blessed by people who have settled here and made us a community every bit as diverse as that one described in the story of the first Pentecost."
"May all of the youngsters in North Georgia enjoy a safe, happy, and blessed summertime."
"Old traditions and new customs blend well in May, as we give thanks to God for the care and protection that His Mother provides for us all - no matter where we might be."
"Congratulations to all of our graduates and to their parents throughout the Archdiocese of Atlanta!"
"I spent most of last Saturday afternoon with a group of Scouts from various parishes in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, who assembled at Saint John Neumann Parish for the annual Scouts Mass and Award ceremony."
"Southern Catholic College may well be the newest Catholic college in the United States."
"This past week another group attended a convention in Atlanta—the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) held its first convention in our Archdiocese."
"When do any of us become Catholics?"
"Holy Week is transforming. It changes us, as we all understand more perfectly how truly magnificent is Christ's love for us all."
"During the rest of this year, we will celebrate our 50th anniversary with a series of events intended to allow this happy occasion to touch as many people as possible."
"We are urged to visit the sick by none other than the Lord Himself: “‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ … He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’” (Mt 25:37,40)"
"This past week—on two separate occasions—I had the opportunity to renew my esteem and respect for the Benedictines."
"This is one of the most challenging columns that I have ever composed since there were so many diverse and wonderful things that I saw and heard last week in Colombia, South America."
"This weekend, I celebrated four separate Rites of Election throughout the Archdiocese."
"The season [of Lent] has a threefold focus - prayer, penance and acts of charity."
"In two different locations, separated by only a few miles, two groups of young Catholics from the Archdiocese of Atlanta rejoiced in the Faith that unites us all this past Saturday."
"This past Tuesday, I held an interview with a local newspaper reporter. The predictable topic was a reflection on my first year as Archbishop of Atlanta—the high and the low points."
"January is a time to recommit ourselves to the promotion of the dignity of all human life."
"During the course of the past year, I heard many of the stories of the Faith legacy of our Archdiocese."
"My prayer for you, Dear Brothers and Sisters, is that as we all sing the songs that remind us of God’s Great Gift, we will carry the spirit and the deep meaning of Christmas into a New Year of Hope and Peace for all those that we love and for all those that need our love."
"Last Thursday evening, it rained! It was not a very good night to take a walk, but it was nonetheless a wonderful evening to honor the Mother of God under Her title of the Immaculate Conception."
"The word itself sounds quite specialized, but it’s really quite ancient and very simple in its implication: intergenerational."
"Advent more often than not begins quietly with a simple change of color of vestments, with the first display and lighting of the Advent wreath and with the replacement of the Ordo (the liturgical calendar) in the sacristy."
"This first Thanksgiving will remind me that almost one year ago to the day, I received a telephone call from the Papal Ambassador informing me that Pope John Paul II had nominated me Archbishop of Atlanta."
"I receive a lot of mail that includes requests for a meeting with me!"
"I celebrated Mass this week in two different cemeteries, which at face value may not be all that earthshaking because after all we did observe All Souls Day on Nov. 2."
"What do you do when 20,000 teenagers stop by for a visit? Well, after you catch your breath, you confidently turn to the amazing people of the Archdiocese of Atlanta to help plan for our largest ever youth conference."
"On one of the final evenings of my trip to Rome, I had a pizza with a friend of mine who works at the Congregation for the Saints, the Vatican office that oversees the processes for canonizations."
"Kids Say the Darndest Things!"
"Unless you happen to be one of our high school students enrolled in a Western civilization class, you right now might be asking yourself “what was so important about the Battle of Lepanto and why would students trudge off to find out where it took place?"
"For the next three and a half weeks, I will be composing my column in Rome where I am attending the 11th Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops."
"Now you might be thinking—has the new Archbishop become “a tree-hugging environmentalist”?? Not really, but I am one who believes that we must all be more careful with the resources that we use all too often with little reflection on their scarcity."
"We are living the very motto that we find on our American currency, e pluribus unum “from the many there is one.” "
"T.S. Eliot begins his poem “The Wasteland” with the proposition that “April is the cruelest month.” Many Americans would have to disagree with the poet and say that September, at least recently, has been the far crueler month."
"Human beings can only look at so much violence without eventually experiencing personal trauma and shock."
"...pictures are an important part of a family’s history and heritage."
"Several couples that I have known for all of my years as a Priest are observing their 50th wedding anniversaries during the coming year."
"We have just about 200 permanent Deacons serving the Archdiocese. They are an exceptionally generous and dedicated group of men, most of whom have equally generous and devoted wives."
"I did not know...that American Sign Language is the third most common language used in the United States, after English and Spanish."
"In the three dioceses (Chicago, Belleville and Atlanta) that I have been blessed to serve, it’s always called the same name: “downtown.”"
"No bishop can have a “favorite parish” any more than a parent can have a “favorite child.”"
"Lay organizations abound in this local Church."
"One of my carefully selected questions to ask our youngsters at Confirmation is, “Do you have a favorite prayer and who taught it to you?”"
"“The Spirit of the Lord fills the whole world. It holds all things together and knows every word spoken by man!”"
"Like most of you, I associate Mother’s Day with the wonderful gift of my own mother."
"The gentle and compassionate face of Christ is found in both of these places as the Church ministers to those who have so very little."
"When you read this column, you will already know the name of the new Pope, Benedict XVI, and you may be busy following all of the news reports regarding his background, his age, his national origin, his hobbies, his plans for the Church—even though the new Pope will not have had much time to do or say much more than his willingness to serve the Lord’s Church faithfully."
"One of the frequent, if not favorite, questions that youngsters like to ask me is: “Is it fun being the Archbishop?”"
"I have received so many verbal, written and electronic expressions of condolence and sympathy at the death of Pope John Paul II."
"As I looked into the eyes of the 30-plus newly baptized, professed, and confirmed Catholics at our Cathedral last Saturday evening, I could not help but to ask myself the question: What causes people to join the Catholic Church these days?"
"Jewish leaders in greater Atlanta hosted a luncheon last Friday, March 18, to welcome me as the new Roman Catholic Archbishop in North Georgia. It was a splendid event and one that helped me to understand even better the vitally important work of ecumenical and interfaith dialogue."
"Cemeteries are sacred vessels of a community’s heritage. "
"The Archdiocese of Atlanta is blessed with a large and evidently growing population of young adult Catholics."
"...I will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the King as part of a vocations celebration. It will be an important opportunity for me to invite and to begin to meet the next generation of priests for Atlanta—so if you’re thinking about the priesthood, the Archbishop would like to pray with and to chat with you. Please come!"
"As I have already mentioned to many people, I am beginning this weekly column in The Georgia Bulletin. It will be a vehicle for me to communicate with the people of our Archdiocese. "
