Bishop Hicks Column

Es una práctica común dar un regalo hecho de plata para un 25º aniversario y algo de oro para un 50º aniversario. Sin embargo, me preguntaba, ¿qué se regala para un 10º aniversario? Después de algunas investigaciones, parece haber cierto...

People are sometimes surprised to hear that I do my own grocery shopping and cook my own meals. I am not a gourmet chef, but I can hold my own in the kitchen. Frankly, it is not that big of a task since I live alone and frequently eat out at meetings, receptions and events. Therefore, most of my trips to the grocery store are a very quick “in and out.”

Recently, while visiting a parish, I noticed a “peace pole” on the property, surrounded by beautiful landscaping and benches

I love Jesus! And it is always a source of joy and honor to offer the holy sacrifice of the Mass whenever and wherever I am asked to do so. So when I received a request to celebrate a diocesan-wide Mass for individuals with special needs or disabilities and their families and friends, without hesitation, I responded, “Yes!”

Recently, many of us tuned in to watch the events surrounding the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning British monarch. In the United States, the existence of a royal family may be somewhat of a foreign concept in our political system that prefers democratically elected officials. Yet, with some curiosity, many of us cast our gaze across the pond to capture a glimpse of the new King Charles III receiving the royal scepter.

For anyone who lives in the Midwest or northern regions of the United States, news of consolidations, mergers and closings of Catholic parishes and schools has become a frequent reality. Across the country, Catholic dioceses and archdioceses are implementing or have completed restructuring processes, including Cincinnati, Columbus, Boston, Pittsburgh and St. Louis.

In 2005, I began an extraordinary assignment in my priesthood, working and living for five years in the country of El Salvador. This small Central American country embodies and emanates the spirit of St. Oscar Romero. When I first arrived to begin my missionary work, I started learning about this martyred archbishop. Needless to say, he quickly became one of my heroes and eventually one of my favorite saints.

During a recent conversation with a longtime friend, she mentioned she had just signed up to volunteer at her parish by teaching religious education to fifth- and sixth-graders. I was overjoyed to hear that she was going to use her talent and time to pass on our faith to our youth.

Towards the end of June, about 220 bishops from the United States gathered in the Diocese of San Diego for a special assembly. Instead of attending to the usual topics of business and governance, we focused on prayer, conversation and discernment. This convocation centered on the theme of “Episcopal Fraternity and Communio.” In other words, we discussed how bishops might move away from public division and polarization and instead lead, shepherd and relate to each other with mutual respect in a spirit of “togetherness.”

Many of you know how excited I am about the three-year National Eucharistic Revival the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will launch on June 19, the Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi or the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. As I was thinking about this important event in the life of our Church, I recalled a boyhood story of a colleague of mine who serves as an auxiliary bishop in another diocese.