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Worldwide Perspective
We all know that the word “catholic” means “universal.” And, as Catholics, we are proud that Catholics can be found on every…
A Liturgical Question
I used to write a regular column on liturgy and, even now, a liturgical question is sometimes posed to me. This column is not…
Following Your Conscience
I was putting together an adult faith formation presentation on conscience. They asked me for a snazzy title for the…
The Roman Missal One Year Later
t has now been just over a year since the introduction of the new translation of the Roman Missal. With only…
Religion and Society at Election Time
There is a notion in contemporary society that religion ought to have no role in the public sphere. We often…
Sinful Nevertheless Holy
In the introduction to his book, What is the Point of Being Christian, Father Timothy Radcliffe, former worldwide leader of…
"Receive What You Are" - St. Augustine
As I said in my previous column, I really wanted to write a column about the Eucharist to serve as a link…
Cremation and the Resurrection of the Body
“I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” I am sure you…
Pray the Mass
When I was a young boy, probably 10 or 11, my father gave me a hand missal such as was common at that time so that I could follow…
Leaves and the Cross
One day last year at this time, as I walked out for the newspaper in the morning, I had to walk through a pile of leaves which…
Walk into one of the rooms of the St. John the Baptist History Museum in Brunswick and you will be surrounded by pieces of the past, from ornate…
A Sense of the Sacred
When I first arrived at the parish in Cape Elizabeth, Sister Ruth Hayden was on the staff. Sister Ruth had long served as an…
The New Roman Missal
By now, I suspect, most readers are aware that in a few months we will begin using a new English translation of the Mass. We…
Self-Denial Denied
Several months ago, when the National Football League postponed a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings…
Holy Family: Illegal Immigrants
As we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family this year, it is important for us to reflect on the Gospel which…
Words of Remembrance
Recently, I noticed how often at funerals we sing “Amazing Grace.” It’s the most popular hymn in America. Curiously, I heard on…
Private Religion
The Barna Group, a research company which studies the relationship between spirituality and culture, has reported that “71% of…
Nothing but God's Love
In 2002, I helped move my aunt, then in her 80s, from a two bedroom condominium in Auburn to Portland into residential…
Do you see what I see?
I have a confession to make. Every year, even before Advent is over, I search the radio dial until I find an FM station that…
What are you reading?
“What are you reading?”… a question a friend of mine inevitably poses whenever our paths cross.
I am always eager to receive…
From snowstorms to sandstorms, from temperatures well below zero to those soaring past 100°, two Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon share stories of their…
Megan's College Discovery
Among my fondest ministry memories are the college and university chaplaincies where I served while a priest of the…
The Best and Worst of Times
Readers will probably not be surprised to learn that the deadline for submission of my Harvest columns is always a…
Maine: Our Missionary Challenge
Since my arrival in Maine as your bishop six years ago, I have subscribed to Down East: The Magazine of Maine. I…
Where is God in the Haitian Tragedy?
“Long before its ground started shaking, Haiti was already a byword for a broken place.” So began a recent New…
