Blog - January 2021 RSS Feed

On today’s SiriusXM show, Father Dave Dwyer and I discussed American Catholicism, history, Saint Timothy, and the new Bishop of Buffalo, Bishop Michael Fisher.

It’s the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time also known as the Word of God Sunday, which was introduced last year. The Word of God means the Bible, but it also means Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the eternal Word.

Pope Francis has asked that we observe Word of God Sunday, an invitation to renew our faith that God continues to reveal Himself to us, even today. One of the most powerful ways He speaks to us is through the Bible.

It’s a somber day as we remember January 22, 1973 and the disastrous Supreme Court ruling of Roe v. Wade. It has led to the brutal abortion license here in the country we love. We bishops have designated today a national day of prayer for the legal protection of the unborn.

Today is the feast of Saint Agnes – a young, virgin martyr who has been venerated in the church since the 3rd century. Did you know Agnes is very close to “Agnus” – the Latin word for Lamb?

On today’s Conversation with Cardinal Dolan , Father Dave Dwyer and I discussed tomorrow’s inauguration and the blessing of our NYPD officers who are going to Washington DC to help with security. I also discussed this year’s March for Life.

​We’re still in the month of January. January got its name from Janus, the Roman god of beginnings. Janus​ had two faces. Although he is a pagan god, there is some wisdom we can learn. We too can look back at the past and look forward to the future.

On today’s Conversation with Cardinal Dolan , I discussed recent events in our nation. We can never be immune to violence. The sanctuary of democracy was invaded. I also talked with Elizabeth Bruenig about efforts to halt upcoming federal executions & the consistent ethic of life.

​​Today we get back to Ordinary Time. However, we have to remember that in the Christian dispensation, here is no “ordinary” time. Every day is a gift from God – extraordinary in its possibilities. Our vocation as followers of Jesus is to discover God in the ordinary.

​A Blessed New Year! On today’s Conversation with Cardinal Dolan show, Father Dave Dwyer and I talked about this year’s Christmas season. Let’s place 2021 in God’s providential hands. Although there’s still a sense of tentativeness, we find our rock in our faith.

Yesterday I spoke to you about Elizabeth Ann Seton who founded a wonderful order of nuns. When I think of her, it reminds me to thank God for the gift of our religious sisters. Sisters, we love you and need you here in the Catholic Church of the United States.

Today is the feast of Elizabeth Seton, the first native-born American citizen to be canonized a saint. She wasn’t a Catholic originally. After her husband died, she entered into the Catholic faith. We can learn from her deep devotion to the Mass and Blessed Sacrament.