These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.

Ash Wednesday, 2022

Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land and took pity on his people. (Joel 2:12-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030222.cfm
“My heart aches greatly at the worsening situation in Ukraine . . . And now I would like to appeal to everyone, believers and non-believers alike. Jesus taught us that the diabolical senselessness of violence is answered with God's weapons, with prayer and fasting. I invite everyone to make next 2 March, Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace. I encourage believers in a special way to dedicate themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.” (Pope Francis, General Audience, Wednesday, 23 February 2022)