Dear Friends, This week we celebrate the gift of Catholic Schools to our church and to our community. I am a product of a Catholic School upbringing. When I was student, I did not really know what a gift I was receiving by having that kind of education. I did not know...

Dear Friends, Most of us probably think it would be wonderful if we simply received a clear command from God. In my experience of giving spiritual direction, people keep seeking for what God wants them to do. They ask God for signs, for some clear manifestation of...

Dear Friends, In the gospel today, disciples of John the Baptist begin to follow Jesus and he invites them to come and stay with him. That is how they get to know him. It is how we get to know him too. One of the first demands of discipleship is to have a relationship...

Dear Friends, Preparing to leave for the IXIM mission trip to Guatemala has inspired me to pray about the purpose of the trip and what will make it a success. From our North American view, we might be tempted to say that the trip is successful if we have accomplished...

Dear Friends, In preparation for our celebration of our country’s independence on July 4th, I thought I would give you some reflections from the Catholic Bishops of the United States on the issue of religious liberty: “Religious liberty is not only about our ability...

Dear Friends, The mission trip to Guatemala departs on July 12th with 26 members making up the team from the Archdiocese of Omaha. I will be traveling with the group this year, and I invite your prayers and support for the success of the mission project. We will take...

Dear Friends, On this Father’s Day weekend, I’d like to briefly reflect on the special role fathers play in the spiritual development of their children. Mothers have their role to play too, but I think the importance of the spiritual life of the father in the family...

Dear Friends, In the weeks following the Easter Season, the Church gives us a couple of liturgical events where we celebrate what we believe. This Sunday we celebrate the mystery of God revealed as Trinity. There have been numerous attempts over the years to give us...

Dear Friends, For many years now, the Archdiocese has been celebrating priestly ordinations on the first Saturday in June. Thirty-six years ago, my four classmates and I lay on the floor of the Cathedral awaiting the laying on hands and the imposition of the holy oil...

Dear Friends, Our nation pauses to remember this weekend those who died in service to country. Over the years, this weekend has expanded to be a cultural time for remembering all of our loved ones who have died, not just those who served in the military. My mother...

Dear Friends, Graduations are happening all around us. College graduations are almost complete, high school events are happening and our own eighth graders will celebrate their graduation on Monday evening. It is an exciting time of year for our young people. One step...