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In Oklahoma, summertime means heat. But, for many people summertime also is when we look forward to a much-anticipated vacation.

Two weeks ago, the bishops of the United States gathered in Baltimore for our semi-annual plenary meeting. Though there were a variety of items on our agenda, one group of items garnered the most attention and energy: those pertaining to the ongoing crisis surrounding sexual abuse within the Church.

In the past few issues of the Sooner Catholic, we have featured each of the five young men who are preparing for ordination to the priesthood this summer.

It has been a marathon, but as of May 31 the historic “One Church, Many Disciples” campaign officially has ended. Now is the time to look back, assess the results and, most importantly, to express gratitude. Thank you!

I think we all would admit that the past few years have been times of rapid change in our world, in our nation, in our Church and in our archdiocese.

Every pope since Saint Paul VI has been insistent in calling the whole Church to a renewal of faith, especially in nominally Christian or formerly Christian parts of the world where faith has grown cold.

Throughout the Easter Season the Church’s newest members continue to reflect upon the meaning of their experience at the Easter Vigil when they were fully initiated into the mystery of Christ and His Church through Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.

This has been a long Lent. The 40 days of Lent actually are passing rather quickly, but my Lenten disciplines began early this year. Let me explain.

A little more than 20 years ago, while I was a pastor in Wichita, a couple came to me because their marriage was falling apart.

I love Lent. Please don’t misunderstand. It’s not that I embrace penance or self-denial more eagerly than others do. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak!

As I sit down to write this column, the presidents of the world’s Catholic bishops conferences likely are traveling to Rome.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola takes the existence and activity of Satan very seriously. In his classic “Spiritual Exercises,” he refers to the devil as the enemy of our human nature. Satan hates us.

“Go Make Disciples! Building a Culture of Conversion and Discipleship for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City”

As readers who occasionally scan my public calendar in the Sooner Catholic or on the archdiocesan website can attest, I spend a lot of time visiting our Catholic schools.

In one of our most beloved Christmas carols we sing the joyful refrain, “O come, let us adore him.”

In the simple beauty of its liturgy, Advent is one of the richest seasons of the year.

Earlier this month, I travelled to Baltimore for the Fall Plenary Assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. I went with a sense of anticipation and purpose.

As this issue of the Sooner Catholic reaches homes across the archdiocese, the bishops of the United States, myself included, will be gathering in Baltimore for our fall General Assembly.

In a previous issue of the Sooner Catholic we covered the beautiful ordination to the diaconate of two of our seminarians in Rome.

Through the prophet Jeremiah the Lord promises, “I will give you shepherds after my own heart” (Jer. 3:15). God keeps his promises. At this moment, we are all deeply aware of our need for good shepherds to lead, guide and protect the flock entrusted to their care.