MOST REVEREND JOSEPH P. MCFADDEN, D.D. Tenth Bishop of Harrisburg

Diocese of Harrisburg

Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden, D.D.

TENTH BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF HARRISBURG

“Mary, the Model - Jesus, the Center”

MAY 22, 1947 - MAY 2, 2013

From the Vatican, 3 May 2013

The Holy Father was saddened to learn of the untimely death of Bishop Joseph Patrick McFadden and he offers heartfelt condolences to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Harrisburg as well as to the late Bishop’s family and friends. With gratitude for the many graces which accompanied Bishop McFadden’s years of priestly and Episcopal ministry, His Holiness joins those present at the Mass of Christian Burial in commending his soul to the loving mercy of Christ the Good Shepherd and cordially imparts the Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Lord.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone

Secretary of State

His Holiness Pope Francis

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI greets Bishop McFadden in Rome during his Ad Limina visit. December 2011

Bishop McFadden praying at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Washington, D.C.) Diocesan Pilgrimage - September 29, 2012

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God,

rest in peace.

Amen

Praised be Jesus Christ

Now and forever!

On His Motto “Mary the Model, Jesus the Center”

Icon of Our Lady of the Sign: Previously owned by Cardinal John Krol and given to Bishop McFadden upon the Cardinal’s death.

Bishop McFadden treasured this keepsake from his mentor and it was the inspiration for his motto. I am especially happy to have been named the new Bishop of Harrisburg during the Marian Year that Bishop Rhoades convoked last October [2009] and which continues until this coming October [2010]. When I was named Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia six years ago, I took as my Episcopal motto, “Mary the Model, Jesus the Center”. In his Pastoral Letter initiating the Marian Year, Bishop Rhoades exhorted the faithful of the Diocese to follow the example of Mary as the model disciple in following the Lord. I strongly urge the Catholic community here in Harrisburg to embrace Mary the Mother of Jesus as the model for being open to and doing the Lord’s will in one’s daily life.

Statement for Press Conference on appointment as Bishop of Harrisburg June 22, 2010

The Recessional

How Great Thou Art

The Rite of Committal and Burial will take place at

Holy Cross Cemetery

Across from Saint Catherine Labouré Parish 4075 Derry Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

The Procession to the Grave

In Paradisum

Regina Caeli

Explanation of the Coat of Arms of the Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden

By tradition the coat of arms of a bishop is joined with that of the diocese. The coat of arms of the Diocese of Harrisburg is on the left and is based on the arms of the Penn family and the Harris family for whom the City of Harrisburg is named. The shield, divided by a Latin cross as a symbol of the Catholic Faith, bears a shamrock to honor Saint Patrick, the principal patron of the diocese.

Bishop McFadden adopted his personal coat of arms upon his ordination as an Auxiliary Bishop on July 28, 2004. The design includes several elements expressive of his faith and his devotion to the saints.

Like the arms of the Diocese, the Bishop’s coat of arms is also centered on the Cross of Christ. Here the cross is painted in an alternating pattern of gold and silver (gyronny Or and argent). These tinctures, used in the depiction of the crossed keys of Saint Peter, and in the flag of the Holy See, express the Bishop’s commitment always to be faithful to the Holy Father.

In the spaces created by the arms of the cross are symbols representing the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. The golden rose in the top left section (dexter chief) alludes to the apparitions of the Blessed Mother as Our Lady of Knock in 1879. The fleur-de-lis in the bottom right section (sinister base) is a stylized lily, a traditional attribute recognizing the purity of Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary, the Bishop’s baptismal patron.

The shield is ensigned with a scroll bearing the motto, Mary the Model - Jesus the Center, and with other external elements that identify the bearer as a Bishop. A gold processional cross appears behind the shield; Bishop McFadden has chosen a Celtic Cross design to refer to his Irish heritage. The galero or “pilgrim’s hat” is used heraldically in various colors and with specific numbers of tassels to indicate the rank of a bearer of a coat of arms. A bishop uses a green galero with three rows of green tassels.

Helping to Build God’s Kingdom on Earth

Bishop Joseph P. McFadden, tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg was born on May 22, 1947 to Thomas and Ellen (Griffin) McFadden in Philadelphia; baptized at Saint Rose of Lima Parish, attended Our Lady of Lourdes elementary school and Saint Thomas More High School where he was class valedictorian.

In 1969 he graduated from Saint Joseph University with a Bachelor of Science degree in politics. As a freshman he played on the college basketball team and during his remaining years in college he coached boys basketball, first at Saint Thomas More High School and then at West Catholic High School for Boys, where he joined the faculty after graduation. He also served as Director of Athletics for West Catholic and was a member of the Board of Directors for the Philadelphia Catholic League.

In 1976 he entered Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, and graduated summa cum laude. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 16, 1981 by Cardinal John Krol of Philadelphia in the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

His first assignment as a priest began in June 1981 as parochial vicar at Saint Laurence Parish in Highland Park, Pennsylvania The following year he became Administrative Secretary to Cardinal Krol, a position he held until 1993. On May 29, 1991, he was named as Honorary Prelate to His Holiness Pope John Paul II with the title of Monsignor.

In 1993, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua of Philadelphia appointed him as the first President of Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield, Pennsylvania, where he worked to establish the school’s innovative “Laptops for Learning” program.

In 2001, he was assigned as pastor of Saint Joseph Parish in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, where he served until his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia in June 2004. He was ordained to the Episcopacy by Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia in the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on July 28, 2004.

On June 22, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him the Tenth Bishop of Harrisburg. His installation took place on August 18, 2010 at Saint Patrick Cathedral, Harrisburg.

“And what does Jesus asks of us in return?

Would you help me build my kingdom?”

The Final Commendation and Farewell

I Know that My Redeemer Lives

Timothy Hughes

The Prayer of Commendation

Dismissal

Lux Aeterna

John Rutter

Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine, cum sanctis tuis in aeternum,

quia pius es.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Do Not Let Your Hearts be Troubled

David Haas

All rights reserved. Used with permission under OneLicense.net License #A-710742

The Prayer After Communion Remarks Invitation to Prayer

Episcopal Installation

It is in the Eucharist that we see the fulfillment of the promise Jesus made to His disciples when He ascended to the Father and assured them that He would be with them and with His Church until the end of time. It is important for all of us to understand that we do not have a God who is far distant from us but one who is very close to us and who desires to live in us. In doing so He calls us to help Him to build His kingdom. This is really the task and work of the Church in Harrisburg. God calls us to be His people here in this place at this time and this moment in history. He asks us to not be afraid to live our lives based on the gospel values that Jesus teaches us. So often in the Scripture Jesus says to the disciples and to you and me today “Do not be afraid”. This is the message that I bring as your new shepherd. Let us not be afraid to share our faith in the Lord Jesus with all of the people of the 15 counties of the Diocese of Harrisburg. Like Saint Paul in his admonition to Saint Timothy in our second reading for today’s liturgy I ask that all of us stir into flame the gift God bestowed upon us in our baptism. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit that dwells in the hearts of all believers allowing us to truly be God’s people. Paul points out that this spirit is not a cowardly spirit but rather one that makes us strong, loving and wise.

Homily for Mass of Installation as Bishop of Harrisburg August 18, 2010

A Friend to All

Our God is not distant from us. Our Lord came to be with us. He came as a child because he did not want to be a threat to us. The only gift we need is to be loved. Everyone wants to be loved. In a post to his Facebook page after the Mass at the prison, the bishop said he was deeply moved by the inmates’ reverence for the Eucharist, and asked the faithful to pray for the inmates and their families.

State Correctional Institution in Camp Hill December 24, 2011

I really encourage all of our young people here to consider a religious vocation.

From Bishop’s homily during the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Saint Joseph Church, Hanover. December 12, 2012

GUIDELINES FOR THE RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION

For Catholics As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.

For our fellow Christians We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us “that they may all be one” (John 17:21).

Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 § 4). Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 § 3).

For those not receiving Holy Communion All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.

For non-Christians We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot ad-mit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.

Copyright © 1996 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

SIGN OF REVERENCE BEFORE RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION

To reverence Christ present in the Eucharist, when you are about to receive Holy Communion, please bow your head before the Sacred Host and the Precious Blood.

1. Communicant stands in front of the Minister of Holy Communion 2. Communicant bows his/her head to the Blessed Sacrament 3. Minister says “The Body (The Blood) of Christ”. 4. Communicant says “Amen”.

The Communion Rite The Lord’s Prayer The Sign of Peace The Agnus Dei Please kneel after the Agnus Dei

The Communion Chant

May Light Eternal

Normand Gouin

Morningstar Music MSM 80-980 © Normand Gouin. Used with permission.

We must start realizing that all of us are ill. There is a deeper ill we have than a physical illness – it is sin which makes our soul sick. We all sin. We live in a society that does not recognize that truth… And we all know what a great sin of racism in our country.

Homily from the Mass in celebration of African American Catholic Faith and Culture February 12, 2012

I like to say that the Lord has made his people a mosaic, a mosaic of different cultures, different people. The beauty of God’s people is that we have come from different cultures, different traditions, and that is something that the Lord rejoices in.

Dedication of Saint Peter Son Korean Catholic Church in Enola July 8, 2012

Advocate for Life

No woman facing pregnancy should

ever feel that abortion is her best or only

option. Counseling and other assistance

is available through the Diocese of

Harrisburg and we welcome any woman

who wants to explore alternatives to

abortion or who seeks healing after an

abortion. When dreadful events like

these become known, the suffering of

women, as well as men, in the aftermath

of abortion is often increased. The

mental and spiritual anguish experienced

after abortion is a matter of deep

pastoral concern to the Catholic

Church. Statement on the Grand Jury report on the Women’s Medical Society Abortion Clinic

January 21, 2011

I am heartened by the number of individuals, both Catholic and Non-Catholic, who are

actively engaged in the Pro-Life movement. Their presence outside abortion clinics

protesting the killing inside, their participation in prayer vigils for life, their active

involvement in supporting unwed mothers in carrying their children to term and their

support of pro-life legislation aimed at ending the infanticide in our society is an encouraging

witness that should stir the conscience of every Catholic man and woman. Every Catholic

should be an active advocate in promoting respect for human life and fostering in our

society.

May the Blessed Mother, who welcomed Jesus into her womb and opened the way to

salvation for all of us, assist us with her prayers and help us to proclaim the Gospel of life in

our homes, our parishes and our community. Statement on Respect Life Month

October 1, 2012

The Prayer Over the Gifts The Preface Dialogue The Sanctus Please kneel after the Sanctus

The Memorial Acclamation

Text and chant: The Roman Missal. © 2010 International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

The Great Amen Please stand after the Great Amen

Liturgy of the Eucharist

The Offertory Chant

In Remembrance of Me Ragan Courtney

In remembrance of Me eat this bread In remembrance of Me drink this wine

In remembrance of Me pray for the time When God's own will is done

In remembrance of me heal the sick In remembrance of me feed the poor In remembrance of me open the door

And let your brother in, let him in

Take eat and be comforted Drink and remember too

That this is my body and precious blood Shed for you, shed for you

In remembrance of me always love

In remembrance of me don't look above But in your heart, in your heart

Look in your heart for God

Do this in remembrance of Me Do this in remembrance of Me

In remembrance of Me

© 1972 Renewal 2000 and this Arr. © 2008 Van Ness Press, Inc. (ASCAP) (admin. By LifeWay Worship) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

The Invitation to Prayer Please stand Celebrant: Pray brethren, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father.

Assembly: May the Lord accept this sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of His name, for our good and the good all of His Holy Church.

I am asking you that you prayer-

fully and respectfully make known your objection to this

intolerable ruling and insist that your rights of conscience as a Catholic citizen be restored.

As a community of faith, we must commit ourselves to prayer and fasting that wisdom and

justice may prevail, and religious liberty restored. May God bless you for your faith, courage,

and resolve. Statement on the HHS Decision

January 27, 2012

Passion for Catholic Education Like Saint Michael you are called to be protectors of the great treasure of our young people that have been entrusted to our care. Please take a deep interest in them and help them to walk safe paths in their journey of life. I am a great believer that one of our tasks as educators is to get our young people through the formative period in their life with as few permanent scars as possible and to help them to be able to negotiate the highways and byways they will travel in their adult lives in a fruitful and life giving manner. Assist them in their battle with the evil one who would have them seek the transient pleasures and riches of this world while forsaking the true riches of life with Christ. Like Saint Gabriel we are to deliver the Good News about the love of God the Father for His children. It is important that we announce to our students that there is a plan and a purpose to life and that it comes in the person of Jesus Christ. Encourage them to welcome Jesus as did Mary and inspire them to bear Jesus to the world. Show them how to be heralds of the Good News and genuine builders of the Kingdom of God. Finally like Saint Raphael we are called to help our students to be able to see the light and truth about life in a world that can often seem dark and barren. We must be willing to bind up their bruises and brush burns as they sometimes impetuously rush here, there, and everywhere only to find that they lost their way. As Saint Raphael was able to restore sight to Tobit in the Old Testament we must restore the sight of our young people who are easily blinded by the ephemeral allure and attractions of things in this world.

The Acclamation Before the Gospel Please stand The Gospel Reading John 11: 17-27

Reverend Mister Richard Daniels

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. [But] even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Please be seated after the Proclamation of the Gospel.

The Homily The Most Reverend John O. Barres

Bishop of Allentown

The Universal Prayer

The Liturgy of the Word The First Reading Revelation 21: 1-5a,6-7b

Mr. Ryan Fisher, Diocesan Seminarian

I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.”

The One who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water. The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son.” The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

The Responsorial Psalm Psalm 23

Text: Psalm 23: 1-3, 3-4, 5, 6. Music: Joseph Gelineau, b. 1920 Text and music © 1963, The Grail (England). All rights reserved. Used with permission of GIA Publications, Inc., agent..

The Second Reading Romans 5:5-11

Dr. Carol Houghton, Diocesan Chancellor

And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath.

Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

I finish by saying THANK YOU for all that you do in the work of Catholic education. The task is not easy and there are many challenges but we must never forget that the Lord has promised to be with us. I am confident that He will help us in our task if we will simply place our trust in Him and do the best that we can in forming His sons and daughters each and every day. May we never lose sight of the importance of the vocation that God has given to us and may we allow ourselves to be true teachers after the model of the best teacher, Jesus Christ.

Excerpts from Homily for Education Conference September 29, 2010

Encouraging the Youthful Church

World Youth Day - Madrid 2011

From The Catholic Witness August 26, 2011

Bishop Joseph P. McFadden found the diocesan pilgrims and gave a blessing to each of them as they were preparing to leave for the three-mile walk to the Cuatro Vientos military air base. Bishop McFadden had been an active participant throughout the spiritual journey in Lourdes, Loyola, Burgos and Madrid. In an interview with The Catholic Witness he spoke about what it meant to be able to gather together with the youth from his diocese. I think it means a great deal to get the universal Church together. We see the youth of the Church, we see the growing numbers in the Church and it gives us a chance to witness to Jesus, he said. It is a great opportunity for us to come together and have the Church unite us to see so much more than the Church in Harrisburg. I think the kids are getting the experience of that by being united with the Holy Father, that the Church is one and to be as one. And the witness is constant to live with Jesus. On the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15, the pilgrims from the dioceses of Harrisburg and Fort Wayne-South Bend gathered together in the celebration of Mass. In his remarks to The Catholic Witness, Bishop McFadden shared his joy in the Holy Day for the Blessed Mother, [The Blessed Mother] is a gift that Jesus left us,” he said. “She is our mother, and she’s always there for us and guiding us. I’m enthusiastic to share my belief in the Blessed Mother’s protection of all of us, he said. In reflecting on the past days of the pilgrimage, The Catholic Witness asked the bishop what he would encourage our youth to take home as a message from World Youth Day. I think the message or the theme for this World Youth Day is to be planted and be built up in Christ. Christ should be the foundation upon which we build our lives and then the idea of being firm in our faith, to not be afraid and not be passive. We are to be rooted and built up in Christ, he remarked.

The Sign of the Cross and Greeting The Act of Penitence

Celebrant: Brethren, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

All: I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore, I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Celebrant: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

All: Amen.

The Kyrie

Music: Mass of Saint Gregory the Great; Luke Mayernik, © 2009, Luke Mayerknik. Published by OCP. All rights reserved.

The Collect Please be seated after the Collect

The Introductory Rites The Entrance Chant Please stand

Requiem Aeternam

John Rutter

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion, et tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem.

Exaudi orationem meam, ad te omnis care veniet.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, Kyrie Eleison. Christe Eleison. Kyrie Eleison.

Grant Him Eternal Rest, O Lord

Ant: 4 Esdras 2: 34, 35, Vss.: Psalm 65: 2-4 Christoph Tietze

Tune: Saint Columba, CM; Gaelic. Text: © 2005, World Library Publications, Inc.

World Youth Day Palm Sunday April 21, 2011

“Yes! You are the Church of the future. But you must not forget that

you are also the Church of today!”

Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary Mass April 2011

Catholic Philly May 2013

Fisher of Men

I love the people and the priests of Harrisburg. God has been very good to me. God is really blessing us with vocations.

A priest is called to be in an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus and grow each and every day in an appreciation for the magnificent gift that Jesus gives to humankind. The focus of every priest must be to love the Lord Jesus before all else.

The Catholic Witness

June 17, 2011

Music Ministers

Mr. Nicholas Basehore, Director

Mr. Anthony Ciucci, Organist

Diocesan Choir

Singers and Musicians from across the Diocese of Harrisburg

Prelude

Irish Blessing

Bob Chilcotte

The Lord is My Shepherd

John Rutter

Pie Jesu

Andrew Lloyd Weber

Hymn to Our Lady of Knock

Dana (Rosemary Scallon)

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL

Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden, D.D. TENTH BISHOP OF HARRISBURG

MOST REVEREND CHARLES J. CHAPUT, O.F.M. CAP, D.D. ARCHBISHOP OF PHILADELPHIA

Celebrant

MOST REVEREND JOHN O. BARRES, D.D.

BISHOP OF ALLENTOWN

Homilist

MAY 8, 2013 TEN-THIRTY IN THE MORNING

HOLY NAME OF JESUS CATHOLIC CHURCH HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

At the state Capitol in Harrisburg during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. December 4, 2012

Christmas Message 2012

This Christmas, all of us are invited to listen more carefully to the story of the Child born in Bethlehem and to the revelation that He brings to the world. It is in Jesus that God fully reveals Himself to humanity and invites us to share in His new creation that is centered in Christ. In Jesus, God unfolds the reality of His deep love for every man and woman, inviting fallen humanity into a deep communion with the three persons of the Blessed Trinity for all eternity. This communion is realized through our faith in Jesus and our participation in His divine life, found especially in the sacramental life of the Church.

It is precisely in the celebration of the Eucharist that we encounter Jesus who continues to be present in the world. He is truly “God-with-us.” Just as He humbled Himself to take on our human nature revealed in His birth as the babe of Bethlehem, the Lord continues His humble presence among us under the species of bread and wine that has been changed into His Body and Blood to nourish us for our journey through life.

It is my prayer that, as the Catholic community gathers to celebrate the Holy Eucharist this Christmas, our eyes will be opened anew to the real presence of the Lord in our midst. As we celebrate His birth in time, may we be ever mindful of His enduring presence each and every time we gather to celebrate the Eucharist. May the Year of Faith help us to understand the “wonderful mystery” we celebrate on Christmas Day and inspire us to a greater participation in the Sunday Eucharist on a weekly basis, where we can find the Christ Child ever present in our midst.

I pray that the Lord will bless all the faithful in the Diocese of Harrisburg with His peace and shower you with many graces in the New Year.

Nativity Scene at the Episcopal Residence in Harrisburg.

Holy Name of Jesus Church Dedication January 20, 2012

The Church is not a building, he said. This building is magnificent because it houses the Body of Christ. You and I are the Body of Christ. This space is sacred because each and every day, the Body of Christ gathers here to continue to give praise to God.

Foundations Laid for the Future of the Church in Harrisburg

Saint Matthew the Apostle & Evangelist Church Ground Breaking and Dedication July 15, 2012 April 21, 2013

It is in this building that we will be nourished by God with his Word and his Grace. Today, Jesus comes to this house to live, the Bishop said. He chooses to live here among his people.

Bishop McDevitt High School Corner Stone and Cross Blessing, and Chapel Dedication

August 2012 January, 2013

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel is the heart of Bishop McDevitt High School. It is here that Jesus Christ has chosen to be among his people. It will be here, in this chapel, that the students can visit with and be confident that God is with them.

Saint Peter Son Korean Catholic Church Dedication

July 8, 2012

I am very happy to have this church for the Korean Catholic community to come together to hold on deeply to your cultural traditions. As the Bishop of Harrisburg, I am deeply grateful to God for your presence in this diocese, for what you do to contribute to building up the faith of Jesus Christ in this community.

Foundations Laid for the Future of the Church in Harrisburg

Saint Matthew the Apostle & Evangelist Church Ground Breaking and Dedication July 15, 2012 April 21, 2013

It is in this building that we will be nourished by God with his Word and his Grace. Today, Jesus comes to this house to live, the Bishop said. He chooses to live here among his people.

Bishop McDevitt High School Corner Stone and Cross Blessing, and Chapel Dedication

August 2012 January, 2013

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel is the heart of Bishop McDevitt High School. It is here that Jesus Christ has chosen to be among his people. It will be here, in this chapel, that the students can visit with and be confident that God is with them.