Facing death with faith
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, It is widely acknowledged that we are now living in a post-Christian culture. This adversely affects what is being taught in public schools…
Read MoreThe lessons of a declined award
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, October is Respect Life Month, which began this year with the announcement that Sen. Richard “Dick” Durbin (D-Illinois) had decided to decline a…
Read More‘Forgiving others is hard to do. Loving our enemies is hard to do. But this is what Jesus calls Christians to do.’
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, In my previous column for the Sept. 14, 2025, issue of Catholic Times,I wrote about the shooting that took place at Annunciation Church…
Read MoreWhen darkness falls, Christ is our light
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ: Shortly after 8:30 on the morning of Aug. 27, 2025, a deranged shooter opened fire during the Mass for the beginning of the…
Read MoreIllinois expands abortion — while America’s birthrate crashes
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We need to fast and pray very hard for the conversion of Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other pro-abortion Democrats, that they may have…
Read MoreFrom local parishes to global aid: The Knights of Columbus in action
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, The Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention took place Aug. 5-7 in Washington, D.C., where I attended with about 2,000 delegates and their wives…
Read MoreThe culture thinks these activities are ‘harmless.’ They’re quite harmful
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, As I write this, I am traveling back to Springfield after attending the Napa Institute Summer Conference in Napa, Calif. The theme of…
Read MoreRecording a confession and other things that incur automatic excommunication
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, One of the features of many digital devices like smart phones, smart watches, and AI glasses is that they can be voice activated…
Read MoreWhat you wear matters
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Imagine if the bishop or priest celebrating Mass came out wearing shorts, tank top, and flip-flops! Most people would be shocked and would…
Read MoreLooking back and looking forward
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, June 22, 2025, marks the 15th anniversary of my Installation as the Ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. I will…
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