Knights of Columbus help Diocese of Saginaw bring awareness to issue of hunger

I was at the East Side Soup Kitchen in Saginaw on Thursday to accept a check from the Knights of Columbus on behalf of the Diocese of Saginaw. I want to thank the Knights of Columbus for their generous gift of $4,023. The donation allowed me to make contributions to eight soup kitchens and food pantries across the diocese and bring awareness to the issue of hunger in our local communities.

While I was at the soup kitchen, I was able to work a lunch-shift on the serving line, greeting and serving food to all the adults, teens and children who came for a meal.

It was a very spiritual experience. You look into the eyes of the people who are there — people of all ages and walks of life — and you just know that you are meeting Christ.

Thank you to all who work, volunteer and support efforts to feed the hungry.

• See more photos on my Facebook page. 
• To learn which organizations benefited from Thursday's donation click here.

Cooking with Mom

My dear parents have been in Saginaw spending some of these summer weeks with me. It has been wonderful to be with them.

While they are not his hometown Philadelphia Phillies, my father enjoyed the evening we spent at Dow Diamond cheering on our own Great Lakes Loons. We had a nice trip Up North to beautiful Mackinac Island - what a treasure! And my parents love going to Frankenmuth. If they could fit Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in their suitcases, they would probably take it home with them.

Today, they came to work with me to the Diocesan Center so my mother could treat the diocesan staff to some Cistone Family recipes. She even put on a small cooking demonstration in the Center for Ministry dining room. I am not sure who enjoyed themselves more - my parents being entertained by the staff or the staff being entertained by my parents. It was a lot of fun.

My mother shared her recipes for Italian Wedding Cookies (which she is making in the photo below), Filled Cookies, Chocolate Cookies, Ricotti Cookies, Cranberry Mold, and Josephine's Potato Salad, Manicotti for Company and the Italian pasta "Cavetelli."

Join me at the 2010 Bishop's Charity Golf Classic

I had a lot of fun shooting this video invitation to the fifth annual Bishop's Charity Golf Classic. I am sure the event itself will be even more enjoyable!



Click here to download the registration and sponsorship form and participate in this year's Charity Golf Classic.

And, please, don't forget to pray for our seminarians and priests.

Profession of Perpetual Vows with Religious Sisters of Mercy

On Monday I was invited to celebrate Mass for the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma and participate in the ceremonial profession of Perpetual Vows of Sister Mary Christa Nutt.

See more photos from the event on the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw Facebook page and watch an excerpt of my homily below.

My Brother Bishops

Earlier this month, I was blessed to participate in the episcopal ordination of the Most Rev. Michael J. Fitzgerald and the Most Rev. John J. McIntyre, who were recently appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to serve as Auxiliary Bishops in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

This episcopal ordination held a unique blessing for me as it was the first time that I, as a Bishop - in my role as one of the successors of the Apostles, - had the honor to serve as a Co-Consecrator of these new bishops along with Cardinal John Foley, Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, and Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia and Principal Consecrator.

Canon law perscribes that "unless the Apostolic See has granted a dispensation, the principal bishop consecrator in an episcopal consecration is to be joined by at least two consecrating bishops; it is especially appropriate, however, that all the bishops present consecrate the elect together." (Can. 1014)

You can see highlights of the August 6 ordination of Bishop Fitzgerald and Bishop McIntyre in the YouTube video below as posted by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia:



And later this week, on Wednesday, I will be at the Installation of the Most Rev. Joseph P. McFadden as the new Bishop of  the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pa.

Bishop McFadden and I are "twin bishops," meaning that we were consecrated bishops at the same Mass, like Bishop Fitzgerald and Bishop McIntyre earlier this month. Bishop McFadden and I were ordained bishops on July 28, 2004 and served together as Auxiliary Bishops in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia until my appointment as Bishop of Saginaw in 2009.

Registration is now open for the 2010 Bishop's Charity Golf Classic

Join us for the 2010 Bishop's Charity Golf Classic to raise funds for seminarian education. Download the flyer to become a participating sponsor, register to attend the dinner banquet and silent auction, or compete in one of the two golf outing opportunities.