Sister Josephine Fallon's presence at the Pastoral Center and her presence to the priests and people of the archdiocese is much appreciated. We had the opportunity to express that appreciation at a farewell gathering Thursday (8/9) here at the Pastoral Center. She has been named Superior of the U.S. Delegation for the Sister Disciples of the Divine Master, which necessitates her moving to Staten Island, New York. She will be sorely missed, but we know she will be back visiting frequently. At the same time, we are very consoled that Sister Nieves, who worked in Boston for so many years, is returning as the local superior. So many of our people know her very well, and her presence here will be a blessing for the Church. The work done by the Sister Disciples with the priests at Regina Cleri, their presence at West Street and here at the Pastoral Center is a great blessing for all of us. We pray that the Lord will bless the community with many vocations.

Capuchin Profession in Pittsburgh

...I traveled to Pittsburgh for the solemn profession of five men from my Capuchin province. The men were taking perpetual vows, traditionally what we would call solemn vows. After the novitiate, Capuchins usually take temporary vows for three years. Then, after those three years of temporary vows, they usually take vows for a lifetime. We had the ceremony at the Church of St. Augustine, the place where I made my own profession and where I was ordained a priest. It is an old German parish that is a replica of a church in Bavaria. It was a beautiful celebration for us, especially being held on the Feast of St. Clare (8/11). It was a wonderful way to celebrate this important occasion.

Catholic Conversation Project

Then, back in Boston, on Tuesday (8/14) I went to the Connors Retreat Center in Dover to participate in the Catholic Conversation Project. The CCP is an annual two-day retreat that brings together about two dozen young theologians from different backgrounds for a time of dialogue and discussion. Their topic for discussion this year was "Faith in the Public Square." Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville was there for the duration of their meeting, but I was also happy to be able to be with them for the afternoon. I joined them for lunch and then participated in the conversation with them. In my remarks I urged them to be true teachers of the faith. Many of them are teaching undergraduates at Catholic Colleges, which is a great responsibility, especially today, when so many young people arrive at college without really knowing the basics of the faith. I told them they had a very special opportunity -- even a responsibility -- to share our Catholic faith with the young Catholics who are in their classes.

St. Boniface Haiti Foundation

On Wednesday (8/15), I met with representatives of the St. Boniface Haiti Foundation. They gave me a report on the expansion of the hospital there and the other important work they are doing. They have a fundraiser coming up in September, which I will be attending. I was sorry to hear that cholera continues to be a pressing problem in Haiti. This seems to be something of a recent development. It is believed that, ironically enough, that the U.N. troops who came in to keep the peace after the earthquake are really what occasioned the outbreak of cholera, because Haiti had not had a cholera problem previously. But the Catholic hospitals are making a contribution and they are working together with Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic Hospital Association trying to strengthen the health care system there. They have a fundraiser coming up in September, which I will be attending. I urge you to join me in supporting the foundation's good works.