The Holy Spirit, in the variety of his gifts, unites us and enables us to contribute to the building up of the Church in holiness. In this great work, each of us has a part to play; each of us, as a "living stone", is needed for the growth and the beauty of God's holy temple. Let us ask the Lord to help us to take an ever more active part in the Church's life and mission, guided by the Holy Spirit and with Jesus as our cornerstone.

In the face of life’s difficulties, let us ask the Lord for the strength to remain joyful witnesses to our faith.

It is not possible to go backwards. We must go forward. Always forward.

Division within a Christian community is a very grave sin; it is the work of the devil.

American Catholics are committed to building a society which is truly tolerant and inclusive, to safeguarding the rights of individuals and communities, and to rejecting every form of unjust discrimination. With countless other people of good will, they are likewise concerned that efforts to build a just and wisely ordered society respect their deepest concerns and their right to religious liberty.

It is better to have a Church that is wounded but out in the streets than a Church that is sick because it is closed in on itself.

It seems clear to me also that climate change is a problem which can no longer be left to our future generation.