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One Seminary's Loss is One Diocese's Gain

Father Michael Barber, S.J. has been named Bishop of Oakland. He has served us well, and remains an inspiration to us all.

From Rector Monsignor James P. Moroney's Blog:

This morning it was announced that Pope Francis has appointed Father Michael Barber, S.J. as Bishop of Oakland in California. Father Michael Barber, S.J. has served as Director of Spiritual Formation at Saint John’s Seminary in Boston since June of 2010.

Fr. Barber has a storied priesthood:

The bishop-designate entered the Jesuits in 1973 and was ordained a priest in 1985.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and history at Gonzaga University in 1978, completed his theological studies at Regis College at the University of Toronto in 1985, and obtained an ecclesiastical license in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1989.

At 59 years-old, Bishop-designate Barber has served in numerous capacities, including as a missionary in Western Samoa, an assistant professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, a tutor and chaplain at the University of Oxford, and as chaplain for the U.S. Navy Reserve.

During his time at the Gregorian, he taught dogmatic theology and conducted research on unpublished manuscripts of sermons by Blessed John Henry Newman.

His time as a military chaplain included being called to active duty in 2003 to serve the 6,000 troops in the 4th Marine Air Wing who participated in the invasion of Iraq.

He speaks English, Italian, Spanish and Latin.

Habemus Papam. And his name is Francis.

From his first homily: "I would like that all of us, after these days of grace, might have the courage - the courage - to walk in the presence of the Lord, with the Cross of the Lord: to build the Church on the Blood of the Lord, which is ...

Jimmy Fallon Stumbles Upon Reality of The Mass

"I feel so small." These words, spoken by Fr. Chris Murphy during his first Mass of Thanksgiving, are easy to understand in light of the pomp and circumstance of this past weekend's Priesthood ordinations. The joy experienced by the thousands of people present no doubt added to a chorus of thanksgiving that rang louder than our Cathedral choir. But Chris' words remind us of the divine reality behind the grandiosity of the Ordination Mass

Continuing to look through the old media interviews

And I found a 2008 interview I did for the Romney campaign on Super Tuesday