Yesterday was the beatification of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen. I thought I’d share with you some of the magnificent quotes he used! Here’s one I love: “To be a sinner is our greatest curse, to admit it is our greatest blessing.” How right he was! @thegnewsroom

I’m actually in St. Louis today. I think you know the good news: September 24 is the beatification of Fulton John Sheen! He was probably the greatest evangelist the Catholic Church in the United States has ever known. Eloquent, witty, passionately in love with Jesus and His Church, a great priest – Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, may we continue to learn from your example! @thegnewsroom

Today is the feast of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, also known as Padre Pio, one of the most popular Catholic saints these days. One of his sayings that I love is, “pray, hope, and do not despair!” Great lesson. @thegnewsroom

We started fall yesterday – things are changing. To live is to change. You know who said that beautifully? St. John Henry Neumann! The only time there won’t be any change is when we’re with Our Lord in Heaven. Through all the changes, Jesus is with us, because He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. @thegnewsroom

I’m on a roll about penance! I spoke about the Ember Days, I spoke about Friday -- but we’re also in solidarity with our Jewish friends and neighbors, as this weekend they enter the solemn holy day of Yom Kippur. Our Jewish neighbors are a great example for us as we wish them the fullness of blessings! @thegnewsroom

In the wisdom of the Church, every Friday is an invitation to self-sacrifice because Friday is the day Our Savior died for us on the Cross. Jesus invites us to take up our cross and follow Him! Whatever you do, Fridays are a good day for some penance. @thegnewsroom

In the old days, we would observe the “Ember Days,” days of penance in the fall and spring. It was a great call to repentance, to turn to Jesus on the Cross, who died for our sins as Our Savior, and avail ourselves of that mercy through our own acts of sacrifice, prayer, and penance. It’s a great idea, isn’t it? We shouldn’t forget it! @thegnewsroom

The other day we had the feast of a great saint, St. John Chrysostom. I’m thinking about our St. John Chrysostom here in the Bronx! It’s one of the first Catholic schools I visited when I got here 17 years ago. There was this wonderful religious sister who was the principal: Sister Mary Elizabeth Mooney, OP. That school prospered because of her! Thank God for our religious sisters, who have been so devoted to our schools. @thegnewsroom

September 15 was the feast of Our Sorrowful Mother. Not long ago, I visited a wonderful young man in the hospital, who has been suffering immensely. I’ve never been at his bedside without seeing his mother there. That’s Our Sorrowful Mother at the foot of the Cross. Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us. @thegnewsroom

Today is the feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross, a beautiful feast day! The Sign of the Cross is an act of faith in the Most Blessed Trinity, and an act of faith in the power of the Cross – that by dying, He destroyed out death, and that by rising, He restored our life. If you believe in the Triumph of the Cross, you’ve got the Faith down pat! @thegnewsroom

Alright, Happy New Year! It’s Rosh Hashanah, a new year for our Jewish neighbors. We thank them, because what almighty God revealed to the people of Israel is that we have a God who loves new beginnings, and that’s what Rosh Hashanah is all about. Happy New Year to our Jewish neighbors! @thegnewsroom

Today is the feast of the Holy Name of Mary. A good priest friend of mine who has since gone to the Lord was called upon to serve as an exorcist. Now, he said of the dozens of times he was called in to see if an exorcism was necessary, most of the time, they weren’t. But rarely, he would come across a case of diabolical possession. One of the ways he knew was if he said the name of Mary, the person would recoil. No wonder! The Holy Name of Mary – how powerful it is! @thegnewsroom

For people of faith, memory is a noble virtue and a duty. I’m talking to you on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, which affected the entire nation, the whole world, but especially here, in New York. It’s a day of memory. We will never, ever forget the names, the people, what happened, and also, that we came back stronger than ever. @thegnewsroom

I had a great experience at St. Raymond’s Parish in the Bronx! Fr. Jim Cruz let me come down and dedicate the redone undercroft of the church where they have daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. I can’t tell you how beautiful it was! @thegnewsroom

Last week, the pastor of Holy Name of Jesus – St. Gregory the Great, Fr. Carlos Limongi, invited me to a Holy Hour for Vocations. He does this every Friday, and it was so powerful! I hope others are taking their example. @thegnewsroom

Nine months ago was December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today we celebrate her birthday! Happy Birthday, Blessed Mother. @thegnewsroom

Happy Labor Day! Work is our invitation to participate with God in His ongoing re-creation of the world. We’re partners with the Lord in our labor and our work. Labor is sacred! @thegnewsroom

I’m reminded of last Sunday’s readings, when St. Paul says to the Romans, “Do not conform yourselves to this age.” It’s always a temptation for believers to pay more attention to the whims of the current age than to the timeless, eternal truths of our Faith, revealed by God. @thegnewsroom

It’s the first Saturday of September and the feast of St. Teresa of Calcutta, a great apostle of life. I’m thinking of that now because another state allows the taking of the life of an unborn baby at the moment of birth. We need Mother Teresa today. St Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us. @thegnewsroom

September kind of always has the feeling of starting anew. It reminds us that we have a God of second chances! Dear Jesus, thanks for the gift of a new beginning. @thegnewsroom