Prayers

     In this past week while I was away, two significant Church things happened that  seek our prayers.  Both were beautifully presented by one of my favorite bloggers, Rocco Palmo, of Whispers in the Loggia fame (see the link on my favorites column).  Rocco has the ability to discover church news sometimes before it happens, and has a deep insight into the effect that this news has on the Church.  Obviously I enjoy his blog.

    The news on Tuesday was the announced acceptance of the resignation of Cardinal Justin Rigali as Archbishop of Philadelphia and the appointment of our new Metropolitan Archbishop, Archbishop Charles Chaput.  Archbishop Chaput comes to Philly from Denver.  He will be installed on September 8th at the Cathedral in Philadelphia.  It is an important moment for the life of the Church in Philly, but also important for us, since Philadelphia is our Metropolitan See.  The Dioceses are clustered into groups under an Archbishop/Archdiocese.  The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania comprises one such group, with Philadelphia as our umbrella.  The Commonwealth has the Dioceses of Erie, Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Altoona-Johnstown, Harrisburg, Scranton, Allentown and Philadelphia.  Thus, Archbishop Chaput will soon become our spiritual Father, on one level.

     Prayers are in order for Cardinal Rigali for his service to the Church and to Archbishop Chaput as he begins a new aspect of ministry with us in Pennsylvania.

     Also this week it was announced that Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Vatican Nuncio to the United States and the Holy Father's representative to the U.S. Church, has been hospitalized following surgery and is in need of our prayers as well.  He has served the U.S. Church very well these last number of years, and is a charming man who brings life to a diplomatic job.  He needs and deserves our prayers.

     Add to them the many who have asked for or are in need of our prayers and love, and we have a full agenda.  Yet that is what we are about - love and caring, prayer and support.