Last Thursday (3/10), I was very happy to celebrate Mass with our Catholic school principals and leadership here at the Pastoral Center. We were very pleased that Kathy Mears brought them together for this gathering where I was able to have a Eucharist with them and meet them. Their role in Catholic schools is essential, and we are very anxious to have them fully involved in furthering the Catholic identity and educational excellence that must be characteristic of Catholic schools.

Presbyteral Council

Thursday afternoon, we had our monthly meeting of the Presbyteral Council. As I told the priests, the work of the Council is very important. I know that sometimes it may be tedious to get all kinds of information and reports, but they are very helpful so they can make recommendations for the governance of the archdiocese, having been well informed about the issues we face.

I urged the priests to make sure that the communications between the vicariates and the Presbyteral Council are very strong, so that the Presbyteral Council really is a sounding board for the entire presbyterate; so that the issues that are important to the priests will be brought before the Council and that the recommendations that the Council makes to the archbishop will be dealt with at the level of the vicariates. No important decision is made in the archdiocese without taking the pulse of the priests, as it were, and the way that we do that is through the Presbyteral Council.

We are very grateful for the priests who give of their time to be a part of the Council. I know that priests are plagued with meetings and obligations, but I am happy when they take their responsibility seriously, knowing that being part of the Presbyteral Council is also a commitment to be very active at the vicariate level as well.

Father Brennan's wake

Saturday (3/12), I went to Regina Cleri to attend the wake of Father Gerry Brennan, a beloved priest of the archdiocese. Many of his relatives and priest friends gathered for the wake service. Father Brennan obituary Father Gerry lived at Regina Cleri for many years since his retirement. He was a wonderful presence and he will be sorely missed.

Trip to D.C.

On Monday (3/14), I went to Washington to attend two days of meetings of the board of The Catholic University of America and, during my time there I was invited to two special events. On Monday evening I went to a celebration at the nunciature for the anniversary of Pope Francis's election. And, on Tuesday evening, I went to a gathering of Irish people at the White House.

St. John's board meeting

Wednesday (3/16), I was back in Boston for the board meeting of St. John's Seminary. Among the projects we discussed was a very fine video presentation explaining seminary life that I think will be very a helpful tool for our vocation directors.

Also at this meeting we were happy to welcome our new board member, Dr. Francesco Cesareo, president of Assumption College. We are very grateful for the commitment of all those who serve on the board and have done so much to advance the mission of the seminary.