A Boost For The Church

Appropriately on the Memorial of St. Bartholomew yesterday the Archdiocese of Boston gained two new Auxiliary Bishops, Bishop Robert Reed and Bishop Mark O'Connell.  In a liturgical pageant of beauty and piety, these two energetic and compassionate men joined the long list of successors of the Twelve to continue the work commissioned by Jesus.  As the newly ordained each spoke as a post-script to the splendid ceremony, the focus was on Jesus, and their goal to serve him as well as bring others to him. Their words brought us back to the encounter of Jesus with Nathaniel Bartholomew somewhere in the country where fig trees abounded where Philip's enthusiasm was matched by Nathaniel's declaration that Jesus was truly the Son of God.  His life changed to the point that he gave it up willingly to those who opposed his preaching and put him to death.  These men are filled with that same spirit and by their warmth, their smiles, demonstrating their eager desire to get on with their ministry, were an inspiration to the 30 or so Bishops and hundreds of priest present as well as to a Cathedral packed with lay people and consecrated religions.  It was a boost not only for the Archdiocese of Boston, but for the whole Church.  May God be praised and may he bless and make fruitfull the ministries of these two new Good Shepherds
Bro. Rene