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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.

The cascading reports of clergy abuse and coverups within our beloved Church have affected Catholics differently. It has caused righteous anger, visceral disgust as well as shame.

One year ago, on Sept. 23, we celebrated the beatification of Blessed Stanley Rother in Oklahoma City.

“A Church without charity does not exist.” These are the words spoken by Pope Francis in 2013 to leaders of Caritas, the network of Catholic charitable institutions from around the world.

"Man cannot live without hope, and education is the generator of hope. … The true educator is like a father or a mother that transmits a life capable of a future.” – Pope Francis, addressing the plenary session of the Congregation for Catholic Education in 2017.

With the Fourth of July behind us we have come to the unofficial halfway point of summer. Summer plans are unfolding.

On June 26, Oklahomans will go to the polls to vote on candidates and issues that will impact the quality of life of all for us here in the Sooner State. Among the ballot measures that we must address is State Question 788, which, if passed, will legalize medical marijuana for persons over 18 years of age. We would be wise to study this carefully.