Heaven is for real and forever

God’s ways are not our ways, and his will is not always easy for us to understand.

We know that God has a plan of love for every life. But we also know that within his plan, people can find sickness and suffering that seems to have no reason, no justification.

These are some of my reflections as the sad drama of a young California woman has been unfolding this week on cable news and in the social media.

Priestly joy is a missionary joy

It’s a beautiful sight to see — hundreds of priests, happy and relaxed, laughing and just enjoying their time together. It is beautiful to see. And it can get pretty loud, too!

I had this wonderful experience Monday at the Cathedral, when the priests of the archdiocese gathered for our annual Presbyteral Day.

A love that embraces every life

This Sunday, bishops from around the world will gather in Rome with Pope Francis for an Oct. 5-19 synod that will examine marriage and the family.

As we know, families and marriages face many challenges in our culture. So I hope you will join me in praying that the Synod will cause the world to once more see that marriage and family are sacred realities, gifts that God has given to us for our happiness and for the stability of our societies.

Remembering our ‘historia’

Every people has a story they tell about their beginnings. A story about where they came from and how they got here. A story that helps them make sense of their identity, of who they are as a people.

We are all familiar with the story of America’s beginnings. It’s the story of the Pilgrims and the Mayflower. It’s a story about leaders — Washington, Jefferson, Adams. And big ideas — religious liberty, democracy, individual rights.

Growing in our knowledge of Jesus Christ

It’s back-to-school time, a great time of year.

I know many of you have been getting ready for the new school year with your kids and grandchildren. All of the archdiocese, confirmation and religious education programs are starting up again in our parishes.

Forming men of mission and men of mercy

This 75th anniversary marks a new beginning.

St. John’s is one of America’s historic seminaries — with a long legacy and an important role still to play in the Church’s mission in the 21st century. Here in this seminary, we are forming priests for the new evangelization of our country and our continent — men of mission and men of mercy.

The beautiful truth about marriage and family

In my recent columns for The Tidings and AngelusNews.com, I’ve been reflecting about marriage and the family, trying to help us pray and prepare for the important Synod of Bishops that will begin in just a few weeks.

What is the family’s value in our society?

We need to put the family first again in our society.

For the Church, the family has always been what the popes call “the vital cell” of human society. For the Church, the family is the center of love where individual personality is formed and values and traditions are passed on to new generations.

God’s magnificent plan for the family

As the summer winds down and we move into fall, we need to turn our prayers and reflection to the meeting of the world’s bishops that Pope Francis has called for October 5-19 in Rome.

The Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will discuss the theme of “pastoral challenges to the family in the context of evangelization.”

Archbishop Gomez: Jesus Has Social-Media Tips for Church

HOUSTON — If Christianity could be contained in one tweet, it might read: “God creates man; man sins against God; God sends his only Son into the world to bring man back to him.”