Christ Our Hope will return this fall
The Bishop’s column, Christ Our Hope, is currently on a summer break. It will return this September. The post Christ Our Hope will return this fall appeared first on Biweekly Newspaper for the Diocese...
View ArticlePope’s World Youth Day message should guide young and old
One of the highlights of my summer, in addition to relaxing with family and friends, was participating in the World Youth Day (WYD) celebration with Pope Francis and 1.5 million youth and young adults,...
View ArticleFraternal care includes environment, one another
An important part of every World Youth Day (WYD) is the catechetical opportunities for pilgrims. I was selected to provide the reflection on Pope Francis’ third encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti,” at one of...
View ArticleBishop’s column: Columbus statue was symbol of Italian, Catholic pride
Due to my Italian heritage — which may be hard to tell, given my Lithuanian surname — and my connection to and gratitude for the Knights of Columbus, I try to find a way to mark Columbus Day each year....
View ArticleEucharist inspires us to further missionary work
This Sunday’s observance of World Mission Sunday (October 22, 2023) is a reminder that, as part of our Catholic identity, we are connected to parishes throughout our diocese, country and the world. As...
View ArticleBishop’s column: Be dedicated to praying, working for peace
As I write this column, the Middle East remains in the throes of war with hostages held, casualties mounting and threats intensifying. If by some miracle, peace has been restored by the time these...
View ArticleCelebrate Mass on Thanksgiving Day
In my years as a deacon, priest and bishop, I have always been impressed by the number of people who come to Mass on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving Day. It is not unusual to find...
View ArticleLike new basilica, we must be light to our community
More than a decade before I became bishop of the Diocese of Richmond, I would drive from Washington to Roanoke to visit my sister and her family. I remember as I drove toward the city, I would see St....
View ArticleBishop’s column: Advent time for planting, sowing seeds of virtue
As I have done at some parishes in previous Advents, this year I am celebrating Masses for Simbang Gabi with the Filipino communities at St. Bede, Williamsburg; St. Luke, Virginia Beach; and St. Pius...
View ArticleCarta navideña del obispo: El Príncipe de la Paz nos llama a la...
Queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo, ¡Espero que estén celebrando una temporada navideña de paz, alegría, gozo y llena de bendiciones! La paz es importante durante esta temporada. La leemos en las...
View ArticleChristmas message from Bishop Knestout: Prince of Peace calls us to healing,...
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: I hope you are celebrating a blessed, joy-filled and peaceful Christmas season! The mention of peace is prevalent this season. We read it in cards, sing it in hymns...
View ArticleBishop’s column: We must remain vocal in protecting the unborn
One of the feasts commemorated during Christmas week is that of the Holy Innocents – the infants under the age of two killed by Herod, who felt threatened by our newborn king, Jesus. It is fitting that...
View ArticleBishop’s column: Need for Catholic school scholarships greater than ever
One of the most important components of the Church’s mission is our Catholic schools. Through the 30 Catholic elementary and high schools in the diocese, we are reaching young people in a significant...
View ArticleLent offers needed spiritual sustenance
We were no further than the celebration of the Epiphany of the Lord on Jan. 7 when I noticed an announcement in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart bulletin that the parish was collecting dried palm...
View ArticleBishop’s column: Our accompaniment gives strength to catechumens
Each year, I look forward to the first weekend of Lent. Except for 2020, when we were confronting COVID-19, I have traversed the diocese annually to celebrate the Rite of Election in each of our three...
View ArticleSts. Patrick, Joseph powerful examples for living faith
Even though all of the Church’s saints are important and might be significant in terms of individual and communal devotion, some saints, like Saints Patrick and Joseph, loom large. I have always been...
View ArticleBishop’s column: Holiness lies in doing ordinary things well
Periodically, I am asked when I knew I was being called to the priesthood. There were many seeds for the origin of my vocation, including my parents and our faith-filled family environment, the...
View ArticleEaster highlights past, points to hope-filled future
One of the drawbacks when Christian observances are secularized is that the celebration is reduced to its commercial benefits. Christmas becomes about Santa and decorations; Easter becomes about the...
View ArticleBishop’s column: All of us are responsible for care of creation
While our country has observed Earth Day every year since 1970, our Church has taught care for the environment for centuries. God created man and woman as the crown of creation so we can be fruitful...
View ArticleConfirmands provide great hope for Church
There is a tongue-in-cheek maxim among bishops that the three things on which they can’t agree are which holy days should be days of obligation to attend Mass, whether the pectoral cross should be worn...
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