Tuesday, April 3 was a joyous occasion for me. Joined by over 80 of our Diocesan Priests, I celebrated the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception during which the holy oils were blessed. The sacred oils will be carried to your parishes to be used in the administration of the sacraments. The priests also joined me in the renewal of our priestly commitment to God and the service of His people. The homily I preached at the Chrism Mass is printed below.

   Bishop Moynihan, Bishop Costello, my dear brother priests and deacons, consecrated women and men, dear seminarians, representatives of our parish communities, brothers and sisters in Christ, friends all.

   Each year the Chrism Mass is a special moment of grace for me and I trust for all of you. The bishops and the priests who gather with me are my first coworkers in the apostolic mission of building the Kingdom of God here in the Diocese of Syracuse.

The Easter Vigil begins the fifty days of Easter, culminating with Pentecost. On this night, rituals of fire, water, storytelling and the offering and sharing of the Body and Blood of Christ draw us into the deepest mystery of our being: our redemption through the death and resurrection of Christ.  The homily I preached at the Easter Vigil is printed below.
During the course of the year, there are many occasions on which the Bishop exercises an important liturgical ministry.  But this evening I announce what is the most important message of a Bishop’s ministry.  I announce to you, in the name of the whole Church, that Jesus Christ is risen! The first Apostles were, as Jesus said, witnesses to the truth that He had risen from the dead.  The Bishop is, above all, a witness to the Resurrection of Jesus.