Archbishop Chaput
Where we are as a Church, six months later
Six months ago this week (March 8), I began my service as Archbishop of Philadelphia. One of the reasons I write this weekly column is to speak directly and freely to our clergy and people. Today is a good time to reflect on the work that’s been done so far to resolve the challenges facing the Archdiocese, and the work – a great deal of work – that still remains. As I’ve noted in the past, when I arrived in Philadelphia I began a comprehensive financial and legal review of our archdiocesan operations. That process has been thorough and sobering. It will continue for several more months. But today we do have a far better sense of our limited resources and the scope of our problems.
Re-orienting our lives to the things that matter
One of the defining moments of Jesus’ public ministry takes place before his work even begins. In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, God’s Spirit leads Jesus into the desert for fasting and prayer. While there, Satan attacks him with temptations to vanity, worldly power and glory. In effect, Christ’s knowledge of who he really […]
March 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012 9 a.m. — Board of Trustees Meeting St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood Saturday, March 3, 2012 2:30 p.m. — Mass, Men’s Spirituality Conference Archbishop Ryan High School, Philadelphia Sunday, March 4, 2012 6:30 p.m. — Mass Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia Monday, March 5, 2012 6 p.m. — […]
Re-orienting our lives to the things that matter
One of the defining moments of Jesus’ public ministry takes place before his work even begins. In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, God’s Spirit leads Jesus into the desert for fasting and prayer. While there, Satan attacks him with temptations to vanity, worldly power and glory. In effect, Christ’s knowledge of who he really is and the nature of his messiahship are put to the test. Pressed by the devil to turn stones into bread, a hungry and weakened Jesus nonetheless answers: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’” (Mt 4:4).
It’s not a ‘compromise,’ and it needs to be rescinded
Creighton Abrams, arguably America’s best general in recent history, was an uncommon man. A biographer said that “he touched those who came to know him in a way they valued and would never forget.” It’s easy to see why. He led by example. He embodied the virtues of courage, honesty, dedication to mission, personal humility and unfailing fidelity to his wife and six children over a marriage of 38 years.
February 2012
Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012 6:30 p.m. — Mass — Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012 10:30 a.m. — Archdiocesan Educational Fund Meeting 12 Noon — St. Martin de Porres Foundation Meeting Friday, Feb. 10, 2012 7 p.m. — Come & See Vocation Retreat — St. Charles Borromeo […]
Message from Archbishop Chaput: Amelia Rivera, the disabled and the sanctity of life
Earlier this week local media covered the story of Amelia Rivera, a young girl with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome reportedly denied a kidney transplant by a local hospital. Amelia’s syndrome results in serious developmental delays, and according to her parents, the hospital declined a transplant due to her diminished mental ability and shortened lifespan.
Message from Archbishop Chaput: Thoughts on the Commission report, one week later
Over the past week, I’ve received hundreds of emails about the report of our Blue Ribbon Commission on Catholic Education. The report calls for the closing or merger of dozens of our archdiocesan schools. Philadelphia has a long and venerable Catholic school tradition. So it’s no surprise that, while quite a few emails have expressed […]
Message from Archbishop Chaput: Education, the Church and the legacy of John Neumann
The Church in Philadelphia has the benefit of two excellent monthly publications in The Catholic Standard and Times and Phaith magazine. But life happens on a daily basis. A bishop needs to speak with his people much more frequently than once a month. So beginning today, I’ll be writing this weekly web column as a […]
January 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012 New Year’s Day 6:30 p.m. — Mass Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia Monday, January 2, 2012 10 a.m. — Inauguration for Mayor Nutter and City Council members Academy of Music, Philadelphia Tuesday, January 3, 2012 10 a.m. — Delaware County Council Induction Ceremony County Courthouse, Media Thursday, January […]