No memoir of a priest or Christian can truly touch on their journey without referring to some stories of their interaction with others “on the Way.” 

On April 8th, I was ready to take part in my first Easter Vigil. 

My devotion to Divine Mercy started during the pandemic. Like many people, I felt anxious about all the things I couldn’t control, which, at that time, seemed like everything.

My curiosity peaked at a Deanery B9 meeting months ago when it was explained Bishop Robert Brennan hoped to initiate a Diocesan Lenten Pilgrimage with Eucharistic Adoration at station churches. This sounded like a great idea, given there is a National Eucharistic Revival. 

If God had a sneaker company, the motto might be “Just Say Yes!” And on the Feast of the Annunciation, Father Lawrence’s homily at St. Peter’s Church in downtown Manhattan prior to the International Gift of Life Walk reflected beautifully on Mary’s fiat — her Yes!

At 5:30 a.m., the tuk-tuk wagon pulled up in front of Chhaya Apartments in Battambang, Cambodia.  The night man got out of bed and unlocked the front door. It was pitch-dark. DJ, the driver, and his little son, Ceemy, waited for me to climb in. 

I recently was a member of the New York State Legislature, where I represented around 130,000 people. I am also a practicing Catholic. Part of the reason I decided not to run for re-election after six years in office was the fact that remaining in the State Legislature prevented me from truly devoting myself to picking up my cross and following Christ.

We spend a lot of time during our lives developing qualities. We wish to be good people. People that others like and want to be around. 

From Feb. 5-12 I had the opportunity to join Archbishop Borys Gudziak, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Philadelphia of the Ukrainian Catholic Church and head of the Department of External Church Relations for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and Sister Donna Markham, OP, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, for a visit of solidarity to Ukraine.

Finding an Ash Wednesday service is a great way to mark the start of Lent. The ritual of receiving ashes on the forehead dates to the Middle Ages but contains symbolism rooted in the Old Testament when ashes signified mourning, mortality, and penance.