Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013
Today marks my 47th day as your bishop. These seven weeks have been like a whirlwind for me as I travel around the diocese and attend to daily labors of diocesan administration.
Eight Confirmations in parishes in all six of our counties; Sunday Masses and priest funerals in ten parishes. Three House of Charity/Bishop’s Appeal gatherings, in addition to daily meetings and briefings with staff and diocesan officials, have been occupying my life since my arrival.
The Sacramental celebration and parish visitations provide me an opportunity to meet with you, our faithful parishioners and our pastors, priests, deacons, religious and parish ministers. I look forward in the Spring months ahead to continue these parish visitations in order to meet many more of you. I am most grateful for the welcome you have given me and I thank God for the spiritual vitality I have witnessed so far in the parishes of the diocese, in our clergy, in our diocesan staff, and in the lay faithful of the Diocese of Camden.
My wishes and prayers for a Glorious Easter Season to each of you and your loved ones. I will remember you in Thanksgiving at my Masses during these 50 Days of Easter in which we remember and celebrate that Jesus Christ who died on a Cross is Risen from the dead. Alleluia!
May I share with you my Easter Sunday homily, which I will preach at the 11:00 a.m. Mass at St. Rose Parish, Haddon Heights. May my words fill you with the hope that the resurrection of the Lord brings to the whole world.