Catholic Charities will gather people involved in outreach services in all of our parishes in the Diocese of Colorado Springs on Saturday, October 5, 2013. I will offer the keynote address based on the title of the conference, “To Know One Another By Name.” I am delighted to share my experiences working with people on the margins of society. Click here to read more about the conference.

Our greatest need in life is to belong. We need to feel safe in the world. We are part of God’s plan, no matter who much money we posses or our past mistakes, or our present addictions or illnesses. To know one another by name is not only a polite gesture, but this risk affirms our commitment to enter into relationship with people. The gospel calls us to visit the stranger, feed the hungry and give the thirsty a drink because people need to be honored, loved and accepted for the truth of their lives. When we reach out to others in need, we do so not to make us feel good or to build up our ego, but to recognize the dignity of all human life. We do not blame people for their situations in life, or their disease or their misfortune. We build up the Body of Christ by calling one another by name and learning that every life matters. We all belong to the healing and love of Christ Jesus.

On Sunday, a friend snapped this picture after Mass at Sacred Heart Church. Today, we went to a restaurant at the Mining Exchange Hotel for breakfast. We sat in a booth and looked up at the painting above us. The painting is the facade of Sacred Heart Church in Colorado Springs. (Notice the painting in the picture of the restaurant on the website as well.) I am feeling more and more at home every day.

Painting of Sacred Heart Church in the Mining Exchange Hotel both in Colorado Springs, CO

Our Lady of Sorrows by artist, Rev. James Flanagan, CSC 1991

Sunday September 15, 2013

Dear Believers,

The Rev. James Flanigan, CSC drawing of Our Lady of Sorrows, depicts a mother standing at the side of her son dying of AIDS. This drawing, from 1991 brings the Sorrowful Mother to the reality of illness and death from a disease that was frightening and horrific especially during the 1980’s and 1990’s. Fr. Jim is a retired professor of art at the University of Notre Dame.

Today, September 15, the Church celebrates Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows. Our Lady of Sorrows is also the Patroness of the Congregation of Holy Cross. The Masses today in our Tri-community will celebrate this Solemnity because we are an apostolate of the Congregation of Holy Cross. In our Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross, we read a paragraph about Mary who stood at the cross of her son:

“There stood at the cross of Jesus his mother Mary, who knew grief and was a Lady of Sorrows. She is our special patroness, a woman who bore much she could not understand and who stood fast. To her many sons and daughters, whose devotions ought to bring often to her side, she tells much of this daily cross and its daily hope.” Continue reading →

Integrity among the words we preach

 Before I was ordained, I sought out advice about preaching from my spiritual director. He was a gifted priest, a tremendous homilist and a holy man. He was also a recovering alcoholic who taught me to rely on God’s daily grace. He encouraged me to never save a written copy of any homily. He instructed me not to keep a file or records of what I say to various congregations. He told me to not even keep a file folder for future ideas, quotes or insights. He never wanted to rely on what he called “stale grace” because he always wanted to be present to the Holy Word of God in a manner that would feed him every day. He relied on the daily Eucharist for true food and inspiration.  He did not want to rest on his written notes from the past, but he desired the constant presence of God to love him every day. Continue reading →

This Sunday, Bishop Michael Sheridan will officially install me as pastor of the Tri-Community Parishes at Sacred Heart Church. Here is a reflection on my role as pastor which I wrote for this weekend’s parish bulletin. Please pray for Fr. Drew, our pastoral team and myself. Click here.