|
|
|
|
Archbishop O’Brien
The Catholic Review
From time to time, I will invite guest columnists to share their “Thoughts on our Church.” I am especially anxious to introduce members of our Archdiocesan staff, given the extraordinary expertise they offer me and all our Archdiocesan efforts.
Harold (Hal) Smith has been Executive Director of Archdiocesan Catholic Charities since 1976 and has gained national respect in building one of our Nation’s leading private charitable organizations. The more than 80 programs of Baltimore Catholic Charities span the whole Archdiocese and address the needs of children and families, the poor, the elderly and people with developmental disabilities. I am pleased that he has contributed this week’s column.
Continued...>>>
|
|
|
|
|
|
Archbishop O’Brien
The Catholic Review
The almost half-million pilgrims who flocked to Sydney, Australia, for the 23rd World Youth Day (WYD) made the sacrifices necessary ultimately because of their love for our Church. One participant stated it for most of us: “We have a wonderful Catholic Church.”
Continued...>>>
|
|
|
|
|
|
Archbishop O'Brien
The Catholic Review
From time to time, I will invite guest columnists to share their “Thoughts on our Church.” I would be especially anxious to introduce members of our Archdiocesan staff, given the extraordinary expertise they offer me and all our archdiocesan agencies.
Continued...>>>
|
|
|
|
|
|
Archbishop O'Brien
The Catholic Review
An article in last weekend’s New York Times dramatized the victimization of foreigners living in our country without proper documentation and the frenzied, all out effort of some to capture and prosecute them as criminals. Pastors across the country – including our own Archdiocese – tell of raids upon young immigrants who are simply seeking work in order to take care of their families’ most basic needs. As elections here approach, unfortunately public opinion and office-holders are pushing law enforcement officials to take draconian action harmful both to struggling workers and, often, to the local American communities involved.
Continued...>>>
|
|
|
|
|
|
Archbishop O'Brien
The Catholic Review
The cover photo of last week’s Catholic Review captured so well both the Pallium Mass itself, as well as the emotions it evoked! After much prayer and anticipation, the moment captured in the photograph provided an emotional spiritual crescendo for me and, I hope, for the many pilgrims who journeyed to Rome. Now, a little more than a week later, I reflect on the day and on our entire Pilgrimage to Rome – with its moments of liturgical and private prayer, opportunities to socialize and rejoice in the wealth of our tradition, and periods of quiet, to rest and reflect. I hope that those who made the pilgrimage found the blessed occasion to be as spiritually enriching as I did – a personally fulfilling experience of our Catholicism.
Continued...>>>
|
|
|
|
|
|
Archbishop O'Brien
The Catholic Review
You are probably reading this on or about Sunday, June 29, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. On that day, I will be privileged to be receiving the pallium at the hands of Pope Benedict XVI during a Mass in the Basilica of St. Peter.
Continued...>>>
|
|
|
|
|
|
Archbishop O'Brien
The Catholic Review
Our role at the Catholic Center, where the offices for the central services of the Archdiocese are located, is to provide the support that will allow the outstanding work of our parishes, schools and other institutions to continue for the benefit of those we serve. I have been extremely impressed by the dedication of the fine people who show up at 320 Cathedral Street each day striving to serve God by supporting the many valuable ministries of this Archdiocese. Seeking to better understand the efficiency and effectiveness of this support, as well as to bring a sense of definition and clarity to our local Church called “Archdiocese,” led me to commission a study of the daily operations. The Mission Study, which involved interviews with dozens of people at the Catholic Center, as well as individuals from parishes, schools, and other institutions, indicated several areas for improvement. Most notably, communication, both among the various departments within the Catholic Center and with the institutions we support, as well as clearly defined expectations for success are chief among them.
Continued...>>>
|
|
|
|
|
|
Archbishop O’Brien
The Catholic Review
A celebrated and most valuable outgrowth of the Second Vatican Council has been the rise in the number of “apostolic movements” that have sprung up in the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Each centered in a unique spirituality, these movements nourish strongly committed laity with the teachings and sacraments of the Church, thus enabling them to carry out their vocation “to seek the kingdom of God by engaging in tempered affairs and directing them according to God’s will” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 898). Cursillo, Marriage Encounter, Communion and Liberation, Opus Dei and Focolare are several of the many worldwide movements within the Church that continue to attract and enrich the spiritual lives of millions of Catholic faithful.
Continued...>>>
|
|
|
|
|
|
Archbishop O’Brien
The Catholic Review
Each year at the conclusion of the Maryland General Assembly’s 90-day session, a list of the session’s “best-sellers” – the bills most inquired about by the general public – is published by the Legislative Services Department. This session’s best-sellers include two measures which add a new term to our health and tax laws: “domestic partners.” The term refers to any two people who are not related by marriage or blood, who affirm they are in a “relationship of mutual interdependence,” and who demonstrate their interdependence by jointly renting a car, leasing an apartment, or opening a checking account. Same-sex couples can claim the designation; so can unmarried opposite-sex couples.
Continued...>>>
|
|
|
|
|
|
Archbishop O’Brien
The Catholic Review
Although I have visited all our parishes – however briefly in most cases – and a couple of dozen elementary schools to date, I’ve managed so far only a handful of high schools. In celebrating Mass for the students at Mount St. Joseph, Archbishop Curley and Calvert Hall, I have come to realize that the Archdiocese is rich in Catholic high schools, each of which is rich in tradition.
Continued...>>>
|
|
|