On Friday evening (5/1) we gathered for vespers and dinner with the college seminarians and our seminarians who are studying English as a second language. I always enjoy these opportunities to get to know our seminarians better.

Campaign for Catholic Schools Mass

On Tuesday (5/5), we had a Mass at the cathedral to thank supporters of our Campaign for Catholic Schools. We were so delighted that a number of students from Pope St. John Paul II Catholic Academy sang for us and also performed in the bell choir. Some of them told me they had just made their first Communion. With us at the Mass and the reception that followed was Norah O'Donnell, from CBS This Morning and 60 Minutes. She spoke about her gratitude for her own Catholic education, her career in journalism, as well as her interview with me that aired on 60 Minutes last fall. During the evening we also heard from Jack Connors and Chris Boland, who are very much involved in supporting the campaign. In my remarks, I spoke about the importance of a Catholic education, and the wonderful work being done to educate youngsters especially in the urban areas of Boston.

Pray for Nepal

Finally this week, I want to ask all of you to continue to work and pray for those who are suffering in Nepal. Having experienced small earthquakes, I can only imagine the terror that the people in Nepal have experienced in recent days. Here in the archdiocese, we have already begun to take up collections to support the work of Catholic Relief Services, the relief arm of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. We are very grateful for all those who show generosity at a time like this. We also encourage people to pray for the victims and their families -- people who, in many cases, have not only lost loved ones but also their homes and their jobs and are facing terrible hardships.