Weekly Email

Where Were You When It Happened

Isn’t it nice when that question – where were you when it happened – is associated with something so extraordinarily meaningful and positive as the election of a new pope? When the white smoke began to flow on Thursday, I was sitting in a hotel room in Louisville, Kentucky, finishing up a video conference. I...

Protecting Our Children

I live across the street from a church that has a weekday preschool, and most days as I am leaving for work, I see precious children being dropped off by moms, dads, and babysitters. Just this morning I stopped to let a nanny with a little girl wearing a bow bigger than her head safely...

Catholic FEST 2025

Each year when May arrives, I distract myself from end of the school year activities to look ahead to what the rest of the year might have in store. I am looking forward to having my daughter home for the summer – perhaps for the last time – as she works at an internship at...

How can I possibly add to the many tributes paid to Pope Francis since his death on Monday? As we continue to mourn and pray, I will simply share this prayer from the USCCB:   O God, who in your wondrous providence chose your servant Pope Francis to preside over your Church, grant, we pray,...

Celebrating Our Faith

Holy Week in the Diocese of Richmond began in fine form on Monday night at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart with the celebration of the Chrism Mass. About 130 priests, dozens of deacons, and approximately 800 lay people were in attendance as Bishop Knestout performed the annual blessing of holy oils. These oils, including the holy...

Breakfast at the Gem of the Northside

While the weather was dreary outside on Friday, conditions in the gym at All Saints Catholic School in Richmond could not have been sunnier, as dozens of supporters gathered for the 14th Annual Breakfast with the Saints. For many of us in attendance, it was our annual dose of inspiration from the student body at...

Protecting Our Children

I live across the street from a church that has a weekday preschool, and most days as I am leaving for work, I see precious children being dropped off by moms, dads, and babysitters. Just this morning I stopped to let a nanny with a little girl wearing a bow bigger than her head safely...

Strengthening the Catholic Legacy of Giving

As my mother told me, all good things are worth the wait. (She was mostly right.) A couple of years ago, I began thinking about how we at the Catholic Community Foundation could position ourselves to do more to connect the faithful of our diocese with the mission of the church. More and more often,...

It Rained in Spain but Caused Me No Pain

It would be too easy to call up the quote from My Fair Lady to describe the weather on our trip to Madrid last week, but I have never been one to refuse a gift. To paraphrase Henry Higgins, “the rain in Spain did not stay mainly on the plain.” It was everywhere, and nearly...

As Lent Begins

As we begin the reflective and blessed season of Lent, I know you will join me in continuing to pray for Pope Francis. Although he was unable to participate in Ash Wednesday services, it was reassuring to hear his voice in an audio message on Thursday. Here in the Diocese of Richmond, the first weekend...