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On Saturday, July 12, I had the privilege of celebrating Mass in our Cathedral for the Installation of Officers and State Deputies of the Knights of Columbusin the State of New Jersey.

As I realized that we were approaching July 26, the Feast of Sts. Joachim and Ann, parents of Mary, our Blessed Mother, grandparents of Jesus, and patron Saints of grandparents, I recalled that, in recent years, Pope Francis had designated a special day for grandparents and the elderly, although I did not recall all the details.

I don’t recall the first time that I heard of “Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati,” but during my years in the seminary and early years as a priest, I would hear his name from time to time. I believe he may have been a “featured Blessed” at one of the World Youth Days I attended.

The first, inaugural episode of The Paul Street Journal podcast was posted a little over two years ago, on May 29, 2023. As you can read in the show notes, “The Paul Street Journal is a podcast all about Catholic social teaching on economics.

Since our new Holy Father has taken the name Pope Leo XIV, there has been a renewed interest in the life and Pontificate of Pope Leo XIII (March 2, 1810 – July 20, 1903).

I am amazed that I have not heard this story before! Last Friday, June 6, I saw that the latest “Jesuitical” episode was available. The main focus of the episode was an interview they had taped on the campus of Villanova University in March of 2025 — before Pope Francis had passed away and before the Augustinian and graduate of Villanova, Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected and took the name Pope Leo XIV.

A few weeks ago, I was listening to the news on “1010 WINS” and I was, at first, surprised to hear a story about growing “food insecurity” here in New Jersey. After hearing the story, I did some research and spoke with Hazel Yaptangco, Development Director of our Diocesan Catholic Charities.

The “Jubilee of Teenagers” in Rome had been scheduled for April 25-27, culminating with the Canonization of “the first Millennial Saint,” Carlos Acutis, who died at 15 years of age in 2006. The Canonization ceremony was postponed after the death of Pope Francis on April 21.

“Habemus Papam!” I hope that many of you, dear readers had the opportunity to hear and see the announcement on this past Thursday, May 8, a little after 1 p.m. EST, that “We have a (new) Pope.”

“… By his labor and abilities man has always striven to improve the quality of his life. Today, particularly by means of science and technology, he has extended his mastery over almost the whole of nature, and still continues to extend it. ...

“… The resurrection of Jesus is indeed the basis of our hope. For in the light of this event, hope is no longer an illusion. Thanks to Christ — crucified and risen from the dead — hope does not disappoint! Spes non confundit! (cf. Rom 5:5) …”

In February of 2025, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, wrote to all the Bishops in the Church, asking that they become “persuasive apostles” in support of the annual “Pro Terra Sancta” collection, taken on Good Friday.

Have you heard (or wondered) how Pope Francis is doing, especially since he left the hospital two weeks ago? As I began writing this column on Sunday morning, April 6, I was surprised when I “Googled” Pope Francis to learn that he had made a (surprise) public appearance that same morning at the Vatican, and it was wonderful to see him looking so well.

As we enter into the Fourth Week of Lent, drawing closer to Holy Week and Easter, I wanted to be sure that readers are aware that (Blessed) Carlo Acutis will be canonized on “Divine Mercy Sunday” at the close of the Jubilee of Adolescents on April 27, 2025.

“17. The coming Jubilee Year will also coincide with a significant date for all Christians, namely, the 1700th anniversary of the celebration of the first great Ecumenical Council, that of Nicaea… The Council of Nicaea sought to preserve the Church’s unity, which was seriously threatened by the denial of the full divinity of Jesus Christ and, hence, his consubstantiality with the Father. Some 300 bishops took part, convoked at the behest of the Emperor Constantine; their first meeting took place in the Imperial Palace on 20 May 325.

“When the Eternal Breaks Through” is the title given to Bishop Robert Barron’s homily for the Second Sunday of Lent. On this past weekend, the Second Sunday of Lent, we heard and reflected upon the Gospel of the Transfiguration (Lk. 9:28b-36). Bishop Barron says that The Transfiguration “… opens up something … moments when life, when reality becomes incandescent or transparent to something more …”

I would like to thank our friends at the Jesuitical Podcast for reminding me that this Lenten Season, in addition to being part of the Jubilee of Hope, also marks the 50th anniversary of Operation Rice Bowl, a program sponsored by Catholic Relief Services (CRS).

“Jesus said to His disciples, … When you fast, … When you give alms, … When you pray … And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” Mt. 6:1–6, 16–18 Each year on Ash Wednesday, at Mass or a Prayer Service, as we begin the Season of Lent, we hear the Gospel quoted above, Matthew 6: 1–6, 16–18, and Jesus speaks to us, His disciples, about fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. As Jesus speaks to us of those spiritual practices, we should “listen very closely” because He is telling us not only “what” we should do but “how” (and why) we should do it.