Since my appointment as a bishop and moving to Juneau three years ago, I have been touched by the deep affection so many people in our community have for my predecessor, Bishop Michael H. Kenny. His memory remains strong and alive, not only among our Catholic people but for so many others. Over these past three years I have listened to many stories about him that have helped me to better understand why so many people held him in such high regard and continue to have such affection for him.

The bishops of Alaska have been in Rome for the past week meeting with officials of the Vatican. This visit is referred to as the “ad limina apostolorum”, meaning, “at the threshold of the apostles”. Every five years bishops are called to the Vatican to give an account of their work within their diocese. First and foremost, this is a pilgrimage to pray at the tombs of St. Peter and St. Paul. We celebrated Masses at the sites where both of these men were martyred for their profession of the faith. While the details of St. Paul’s martyrdom are a bit sketchy, it is understood that St.

As the most sacred week in the Christian calendar begins today with the celebration of Palm Sunday, Christians around the world ponder the mystery of how God, incarnate in the person of Jesus, who out of love for humanity voluntarily chose to endure suffering and pain and death on a cross.

I am the product of both private and public education. In Pennsylvania I attended two Catholic grade schools and a public high school. In these institutions I had some outstanding teachers, received a good education and made lifelong friends. I am in touch with teachers from both my secular and religious schools. A couple of my high school teachers even attended my celebration when I was ordained in Pittsburgh as the Bishop of Juneau. Public and private education served me and my parents well.