Columns 2023

On the First Sunday of Advent, together with the whole Church, we begin a new “Liturgical Year.” This year, because Dec. 25 falls on a Monday, the Advent Season will last just three weeks, as the Fourth Sunday of Advent will fall on Dec. 24. So, on Sunday, Dec. 24, it will be Advent in the morning, but, just a few hours later (at approximately 4 p.m.), we will begin the celebration of our Lord’s Birth on “Christmas Eve.”

The words above are the opening paragraph of the Synthesis Report from the first session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, also known as the “Synod on Synodality.” In the following introductory paragraphs, the synod delegates describe the circumstances leading up to the gathering and speak of their awareness, during the gathering, of those suffering in various parts of the world, especially victims of war.

When I celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation, I sometimes mention that “Piety” is one of the more “under-appreciated” of the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

On Saturday, Oct. 28, we held our second annual diocesan Respect Life Convocation. On the same day, the (first part) of the Synod on Synodality was having its final meetings and putting the “finishing touches” on the 41-page “Synthesis Report.” 

As far as I can recall, I had never heard of Father Aloysius Schwartz until a few weeks ago, on this past Oct. 6. On that day, I had the privilege of celebrating Mass with all of the teachers and administrators of our Diocesan Catholic Schools. Our Superintendent of Schools, Mary Baier, and the staff of our Diocesan Schools Office had planned and organized a professional day for our teachers and administrators. St. Elizabeth’s University, in Convent Station, graciously hosted the day on their campus.