Read the message of His Holiness Pope Francis from Pontifical Council for Social Communications on the 49th World Communications Day: the importance of the family as ‘environment in which we learn to communicate’. Pontifical Council for Social Communications  49th World Communications Day 2015 Message of His Holiness Pope Francis The family is a subject of profound ...read more

Below is the prepared text of the homily Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley delivered at the March for Life Vigil Mass celebrated at the Basilica of the immaculate Conception in Washignton D.C. Jan. 21, 2015. There is a popular diner near the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. One of the items on the menu is called ...read more

For the last couple of weeks we’ve been talking about Vocations. We’ve looked at what it means to be called and how to discern that call. We also looked at the Church’s four Vocations: Ordained Life, Religious Life, Single Life and Married Life. Last week we concluded by seeing some of the more complex teachings ...read more

Recently I heard a talk by Julie and Greg Alexander of The Alexander House which helps parishes strengthen their marriage ministry or to help build a foundation to create one. Greg says that the turning point for their marriage when it was in crisis was a priest who asked them to consider God’s plan for ...read more

On January 1, the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, Pope Francis celebrated Solemn Mass in the Basilica of Saint Peter. Below, please find the complete text of the Pope’s homily for the Mass: Today we are reminded of the words of blessing which Elizabeth spoke to the Virgin Mary: “Blessed are you among ...read more

World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 Released the Official Hymn for September 2015 Event The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 released the Official Hymn for the 2015 world meeting of families, held September 22-27 2015, and featuring Pope Francis’ first visit to the United States. The hymn, titled “Sound the Bell of Holy Freedom,” ...read more

  On Sept. 9, 2014, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia unveiled the official icon and prayer of the World Meeting of Families, to take place in Philadelphia in September of 2015. The unveiling took place at the heart of the Archdiocese, the Cathedral Basilica of SS Peter and Paul, during the Sunday mass, celebrated and blessed ...read more

Regardless of background, ethnicity or faith tradition, almost everyone in our society today would argue that education is important.  We all acknowledge that becoming an “educated” person is worthwhile.  We spend a huge portion of our earnings and savings (or all of them and more!) on achieving that goal.  But, what does it mean to ...read more

Proclaiming the Word: Part Four Last time we looked at why a homily must be scriptural, pastoral, catechetical and liturgical and that there should be one key message (focus) and one suggestion as to how we can respond to that message (function). These are great suggestions for organizing your text. However, no matter what, the ...read more

Last time  I wrote about what makes a good homily and what is an image of a preacher.  At the preaching conference, most of the presenters dedicated their talks to how a homilist should prepare. “Prepare the homilist; not the homily” was a phrase used by Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto during the keynote opening ...read more