“We gave you strict orders, did we not, to stop teaching in that name?
Throughout this past week, including today, we have proclaimed passages from the fifth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. Throughout this chapter and in other places of the Acts of the Apostles, the apostles and disciples of the early church are admonished and told to stop teaching in the name of Jesus and to stop proclaiming his resurrection. Despite every threat, they did not stop preaching Christ. Despite persecution in its earliest centuries, the church has not stopped proclaiming the resurrection. Despite Nazi, Fascist, and Communist regimes, the faith was not suppressed, and Christ was proclaimed. In the face of atheism, doubt and apathy, belief in the resurrection of Christ empowers the faithful. This week the successors to the Apostles in the College of Cardinals will gather in conclave to discern and elect, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, the next Bishop of Rome, the Supreme Pontiff who will shepherd the church in proclaiming Christ Risen despite the challenges, suppressions and disbeliefs of our times.
Who will be the next Pope? That is the question that I have been asked numerous times. I don’t feel well-versed in the possibilities to even put forth a guess. But I trust that Cardinal Electors will be guided by the Holy Spirit out of a sincere desire to do God’s will. I pray that it will be reflective of the synodality that Pope Francis sought to cultivate in the church. I trust that he who is elected will be the brave and pastoral teacher and shepherd that the church needs.
This week I was privileged to concelebrate mass with Bishop Michael Martin, the bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina. In his homily, he referred to the categorization of people within political discourse.
“I simply see people, and if they are in need, and they are hurting, I want us to try to care for them. I think that is the optic that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, espoused tremendously,” the bishop said.
“People who see their faith through the lens of their political affiliation, rather than seeing their political affiliation through the lens of their faith” give him pause, he said. Then he asked: “What will be the lens through which you’ll see yours?”
It is my prayer that through the lens of faith and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the church will receive its new Pope. I also pray that we, the flock of the new shepherd, will venture to see past political categories and see the people of God as brothers and sisters in need of our care.
CONCLAVE PRAYER – Throughout the days ahead, we are called to pray for the Cardinal Electors and the gift of a new Pope. You may wish to offer this prayer daily, until a new Holy Father is elected.
O God, eternal shepherd,
who govern your flock with unfailing care,
grant in your boundless fatherly love
a pastor for your Church
who will please you by his holiness
and to us, show watchful care.
Amen.
CATHOLIC SCOUTING –This past weekend I concluded a three-year term as the National Chaplain for the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. For the next three years, I will serve the new national chaplain and the committee as the immediate past chaplain. I was honored to serve in this national role because of the impact that Boy Scouting made in my life and the opportunities it has provided me as a priest. I am grateful for the support that Saint Rose of Lima staff and parishioners provided me during these last three years. I ask for your prayers for the ministry of Catholic Scouting and all the church’s outreach to youth.
DIOCESAN EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS – As part of the National Eucharistic Revival, the diocese of Rockville Centre is hosting a Diocesan Eucharistic Congress, to be held on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025, at St. Anthony’s High School in Huntington. This Congress is more than a gathering, it is meant to be a spark for a renewed fire of evangelization across Long Island. It will be a day of prayer, catechesis, and communion with Jesus Christ truly present in the Most Holy Eucharist. The Congress will feature keynote talks, breakout sessions in multiple languages, Eucharistic Adoration, sacred music, confessions, and the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
In addition to the congress itself, there will be Eucharistic Pilgrimages taking place across the Diocese in the days leading up to the Congress as well as revival nights to accompany the pilgrimages. All the information about the Eucharistic Congress, the processions and the revival nights can be found at drvc.org/congress. Registration for attending the conference can also be found on the website.
Peace,
