Catholic Diocese Of Joliet

The Bishop traces the development of the Angelus prayer -- and its connection to the Liturgy of the Hours, all of which helps bind the Church together in prayer.

Bishop Conlon talks about the Ascension of Jesus and links it to the First Letter of St. John, the third chapter, in which St. John writes: "No one who sins has seen Him or known Him." Bishop Conlon refers to a homily by Pope Leo the Great, who said it was easier for the Apostles to deal with the reality of Jesus after the Ascension than before the Ascension. Bishop Conlon makes the point that St. John is saying we have to grow in our relationship with Christ, while also growing into a deeper spiritual relationship with Him. And that St. John had reached a point of spiritual maturity that allowed him to deal with his sin without losing hope; in his small sins he recognized he could contemplate Christ, but not in a way he would be embarrassed because he was in a deeper relationship with Him.

The Bishop talks about the lawsuit being filed today by the Diocese of Joliet and other dioceses and Catholic organizations around the country against the Federal Government regarding the HHS Mandate in an effort to protected religious freedom. The Bishop talks about the need for prayer.

The Bishop talks about the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith's call for doctrinal renewal regarding the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, a coalition of women religious superiors. The Bishop talks about the need for unity and for fidelity.

Pope Pius V implemented most of the reforms of the Council of Trent. He instituted seminaries and the Roman Missal. Bishop Conlon talks about the dissenting group that broke away from the Church, the Society of Pope Pius V and X, and on the feast of Pope Pius V, the bishop asks the pope to intercede for the Church, especially a reunion with the Society, and asking for unity.

Bishop Conlon talks about several Gospel readings, one involving Saint Stephen, before his martyrdom to the Church, who is being accused of insulting God because of him saying Jesus was raised from the dead and was God. The second reading the Bishop refers to Jesus feeding the people by multiplying of the loaves and fishes, and in it, the people are not interested in believing in God, only in wanting more food, more bread. Bishop Conlon brings up the point of the need to believe in Him and truly see Jesus as the Divine Savior and look at the fundamental beliefs of our faith.

Bishop Conlon talks about what kind of attitude we should adopt when we find the Church is marginalized or ridiculed. And those attitudes should take a stance of peace and proclaim the Gospel in a positive way and a people of confidence and pray a lot.

Bishop Conlon talks the fact that, without Jesus rising from the dead, we would be children of death, It is Jesus rising from the dead that the real defeat of death and sin occurs. He talks about the differences in how people from the East and West have a different understanding of the Paschal Mystery. The people in the East are more conscious of Christ being raised from the dead and sitting gloriously at the right hand of the Father. We, in the West, focus a lot on the sense of hope and joy of Jesus's death and resurrection and a community of people coming together to celebrate His resurrection. Bishop Conlon likes this kind of spirituality, which is about reliance on the glory and power of God and joy and hope within a community of other worshipers.

Bishop Conlon talks about the Angel Gabriel coming to the Blessed Mother with the news that she is to be the mother of Jesus, the Savior of the world. Mary's response -- her fiat -- to the Angel is her greatest attribute, her willingness to freely choose to do the will of God.

Bishop Conlon talks about the prophet Daniel comes to God and apologizes to God for the way the people of Israel have lived. He talks about the need to acknowledge our offenses to others and the need to express contrition and seek forgiveness.

Bishop Conlon talks about his trip to Rome, which included the Ad Limina visit, where he was part of a group of bishops from Illinois and several surrounding states who met with the Pope. He also talked about visiting the offices of the Roman Curia and what was discussed with officials from some of the offices.

Bishop Conlon recounts his previous trips to Rome as part of his Ad Limina visits to Rome, along with his current trip there now, especially as it signifies a sign of unity among Church leaders.

Bishop Conlon talks about the significance of the Temple of Jerusalem and its signficance to the Jewish people and how Jesus became the living Temple of Salvation.

Bishop Conlon talks about the sanctity of life and the spiritual nature of man and of his upcoming trip to D.C. to participate in the March for Life.

Bishop Conlon talks about the split of the Eastern Church from the Western Church and the mystical influences of the Eastern Church and their devotion to Mary.

Bishop Conlon talks about how God pours forth an abundance of life, which we need to turn to as a sign of hope despite all the stresses of life.

Bishop Conlon talks about the need to help immigrants/Hispanics and addresses some of the good that the Campaign for Human Development does to help immigrants and addresses the controversy surrounding it.

Bishop Conlon talks about the Gospel reading of Jesus curing the paralyzed man and that the man had a spiritual illness that needed to be healed -- through the forgiveness of his sins -- before he can be physically healed.