Edition of Monday, September 21

Bishop Louis Tylka presided over a Mass on September 20 at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception to mark the anniversary of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen's priestly ordination. The liturgy took place in the Peoria diocese, where the remains of the late archbishop are entombed.

Father Peter James Alindogan, pastor of St. Veronica in Howell, New Jersey, served as the homilist for the occasion. Alindogan, who also directs the Office of Missions for the Diocese of Trenton, was invited to preach by Msgr. Jason A. Gray, the cathedral rector and executive director of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation.

During his homily, Alindogan said Archbishop Sheen knew Jesus Christ and understood that the Gospel requires sharing God's love with the world. He described the late archbishop as a master communicator and a pioneer of Catholic media who used a blackboard and chalk to explain theology to the American public.

Bishop Joseph C. Bambera released a video message on Sept. 18 to extend warmest wishes to the Jewish community ahead of Yom Kippur. As chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, the bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania, urged Catholics to reject antisemitism and recognize the spiritual bonds between Jews and Catholics.

Bambera noted that the Jewish holiday, which involves fasting and atonement, invites a searching examination of the past year and a commitment to the next. He stated that the themes of repentance and reconciliation central to the observance also resonate with Catholics. He described the relationship between the two faiths as being rooted in shared scriptural texts and a common patrimony rather than being a simple matter of dialogue.

The bishop called on Catholics to oppose all forms of hatred and to deepen their understanding of Jewish people. In his message, he said that building genuine friendship and understanding between the two religions is vital. Yom Kippur is observed from sunset on Sept. 20 to nightfall on Sept. 21.

Archbishop William Lori described women religious as often overlooked architects of American freedom during the US national assembly of women religious major superiors.

Speaking at the assembly, Archbishop Lori said the holiness and service of these women remain essential for renewing both the Church and society.

Pope Leo XIV met with a delegation from Special Olympics to discuss the value of sports in personal development. During the meeting, the Pope shared his own interest in sports and noted its ability to unite people.

The Pope encouraged the athletes to follow the example of Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati. He described Frassati as someone who loved Jesus and knew how to apply the values found in sports to a holy life. Pope Leo XIV stated that the world needs people who remind others of the true values of life.

Pope Leo XIV urged bishops in Latin America and the Caribbean to conduct pastoral visits and meet personally with their communities rather than leading from behind a desk. In a letter dated Sept. 8, the pope stated that certain aspects of a diocese are difficult to understand without direct contact and encouraged leaders to seek out people who rarely have the opportunity to approach a bishop.

The Vatican released the letter on Sept. 19 to mark the 300th anniversary of the canonization of St. Turibius of Mogrovejo, a 16th-century Spanish missionary bishop who traveled across Peru. Pope Leo XIV used the missionary as a model for pastoral leadership, noting that his own episcopal ministry in Peru helped him understand what it means to be a shepherd.

The pope called on bishops to stay close to priests, defend vulnerable people, nurture spiritual lives, and promote Eucharistic adoration. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining communion with the Church and the Successor of Peter.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell urged organizers and volunteers to focus on the pastoral meaning of World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea. Speaking at the second international preparatory meeting held from September 14 to 17 in Seoul and Incheon, the head of the central organizing committee described the gathering as a living expression of the Gospel rather than just an event.

Cardinal Farrell stated that the journey toward the 2027 gathering must begin within local dioceses and parishes. He noted that the experience should extend beyond a single week of attendance to become a time for individuals to live and prepare their faith within their families and pastoral communities. The preparatory meeting included approximately 400 participants representing 160 dioceses from more than 100 countries.

The Archdiocese of Monterrey is launching a mobile chapel to bring the Blessed Sacrament, prayer, and confession to neighborhoods that lack nearby churches or face difficult access. The project, which is scheduled to begin operating by the end of September, is part of the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the Archdiocese.

The mobile chapel consists of a van equipped with an altar, two kneelers, and two seats. The vehicle is designed to protect the monstrance and provide space for a priest to hear confessions. According to Father Ignacio Pulido Mendiola, the archdiocese's communications director, the chapel will visit problematic areas, including territories used by migrants and regions affected by drug trafficking violence.

Archbishop Rogelio Cabrera Lopez assigned the project to Father Adrian Villagrán, the parish priest of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who helped adapt the vehicle. The idea for the mobile chapel came from a lay couple who wished to facilitate the presence of the Eucharist in remote locations. In addition to peripheral neighborhoods, the van may visit high-traffic areas such as parks and recreational centers.