Why are you Catholics so hung up about abortion?” this rather well-known political leader asked me. “Well, let me tell you,” I happily replied. “For one, thanks for acknowledging how … more

Cardinal Dolan,” the reporter asked, “isn’t it difficult for us to believe in a loving, providential God in the face of all the suffering we have seen in 2020?” Fair enough question, … more

Pope Francis gave us an early Christmas present last week, on December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Good historian that he is, the Holy Father realized … more

El Papa Francisco nos dio una regalo temprano antes de Navidad la semana pasada, el 8 de diciembre, fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción de la Santísima Virgen María.Buen … more

Waiting...one of the most frustrating exercises in our human condition.Wait we must...in traffic, in line at the store, for the results of a test, for the stew to be done, for a live voice to come on … more

The following quote is attributed to Jackie Kennedy, who observed “Mother Church is at her best when she welcomes a baby at baptism, or bids someone farewell at a funeral.”Quite a … more

Last Saturday, “All Hallows Eve,” October 31, was a day of grace!I had the honor and joy, with hundreds of others—the crowd would have been tens of thousands were it not for the … more

Let me say it again! God can—and does—bring good out of evil.Lord knows, there’s a lot of evil these months. Our city, our beloved country, our world community—yes, even our … more

Este viernes tengo el honor de ofrecer una misa conmemorativa para una mujer notable, Stephanie O’Keefe, la madre de mi maravillosa asistente administrativa, Ann O’Keefe Bave, quien fue al Señor … more

Since the re-opening of our churches last summer, I’ve made it a point to visit, unannounced, various parishes, in order to celebrate Mass and spend some time with parishioners. At each visit, I am not allowed to enter the church until my temperature is taken; ushers are there to distribute face masks to anyone who has left theirs at home. Hand sanitizing stations are located around the church, and social distancing and crowd limitations are enforced. When Mass is over, I slip back into the church, and always find eight or so parishioners already hard at work, scrubbing and sanitizing the pews, door handles, and altar area before the next Mass. more

This Friday I have the honor of offering a Memorial Mass for a remarkable woman, Stephanie O’Keefe, the mother of my wonderful administrative assistant, Ann O’Keefe Bave, who went to … more

Just imagine for a moment...the headlines and news alerts come out announcing medication to heal those with the coronavirus, and a vaccine to keep us safe from ever contracting it. It’s been … more

Hace un par de semanas, tuve la alegría de visitar Nuestra Señora del Monte Carmelo-St. Benedicta y la parroquia de Santa María de la Asunción en Staten Island. Era un … more

A couple of weeks ago, I had the joy of visiting Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Benedicta and St. Mary of the Assumption parish on Staten Island. It was a rainy Friday evening, and Father Hernan, the … more

Sobrevivirá, una, santa, Católica y Iglesia Apostólica? Esa es una pregunta que muchos, tanto dentro como fuera de la Iglesia Madre, se proyectan. Hace un par de … more

Is the one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church going to survive? That’s a question many, both inside and outside Mother Church, are posing. A couple days ago, I was enjoying one of my … more

In the middle of the somberness of continuing COVID challenges, and the distressing tension on our beloved city’s streets, “Let there be light!” I’ve got two occasions of … more

Last time, I shared with you some wisdom I had picked up over the last rough three-and-a-half months of quarantine and worry. That exercise prompted me to reflect even more, and additions came to … more

La última vez, compartí con ustedes un poco de sabiduría que había adquirido durante los últimos tres meses y medio de la cuarentena y de las preocupaciones. Ese ejercicio me llevó a … more

We will be chatting about it for a long, long time. Our kids and grandkids will ask us about the dreaded COVID-19 plague.It’s not over yet, I realize. But it’s not too premature to ponder … more