One of the blessings of the week is the ability to spend time with, pray with, and work with the Bishops from around the United States. There are at least 17 in the Conference whom I knew from my graduate study days in Rome in the early l980's when we were all together. It has been a lived experience of ecclesial communion, Faith, and prayer.
Another highlight of the Conference was the final address of Francis Cardinal George to the assembly of bishops. It was a clear, concise and an eloquent witness to his experience as President these past three years. The role of Bishop Kicanas as the Conference's Vice President is also of note. He has been an inspirational example of service especially in the area of immigration. He now serves as the head of the Catholic Relief Services and in this new endeavor I wish him well. The election of Archbishop Tim Dolan of New York and Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville as President and Vice President was an experience of Faith and communion as well. I have known Archbishop Dolan since around 1980. He has always been in inspiration to me in his priestly zeal and love of his vocation and his ability to inspire others. I also worked with Archbishop Kurtz in my years as a member of the committee on Laity, Family Life, Marriage and Youth Ministry. Their election was no surprise to me, and their years will be a time of the Lord's blessing for all of us. During these days, I had the chance to visit with the new Archbishop Gustavo Garcia Siller, and Archbishop Jose Gomez. Archbishop Gomez asked me to be part of his committee on migration.
As in all of our lives, all of the events of these days need to be reflected on and prayed on and seen as a part of the Lord's providential guidance for me and for all of us in our Diocese. I am about to head for night prayer in the Chapel, when I will remember all of you and your loved ones. I will shortly be headed off to Rome for the Consistory of the new Cardinals, where there will be many people from the United States to celebrate the conferral of the Cardinal's status on Archbishop Wuerl and Archbishop Burke, my long time friend. More from the Eternal City...the City of SS. Peter and Paul and so many Saints of every time and place. God bless you always.