News & Events

All are welcome to pray for Victims of Sexual Abuse and for healing in the church. The prayer will take place next Sunday, September 16 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the church.

We will call upon Christ to awaken our conscience and arouse our solidarity and commitment of care that says "never again" to every form of abuse. We will ask for healing in the church, healing for victims and unity among our leaders as they substantially reform cultures that allowed the abuse to happen.

Today's Scripture readings are a perfect example of the timelessness of Sacred Scripture and the teachings of Jesus. In the second reading today we have from the Letter of James, “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.” He then goes on to describe pure and undefiled religion and what it is. “Care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”

Last weekend I spoke at all the Masses about the recent grand jury report on child sexual abuse in the Church in Pennsylvania. I want to thank everyone for your comments, questions, and words of support. It was very difficult to speak, but I felt it important that you hear what I, as pastor, had to say. When the Church is under fire, it is tempting to become defensive. It is tempting to talk about all the good and real things the Church does that changes people’s lives for the better. That is certainly part of the picture. But right now, we simply need to sit in the mess.