From The Diocese
Our sixth annual Fortnight for Freedom
At the request of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, all dioceses throughout our country will conduct a “Fortnight for Freedom,” beginning June 21 and concluding on July 4. The 14-day observance, which was first conducted in 2012, will focus on prayer, education and peaceful public action to protect our religious freedom with respect to the gift of life, marriage, conscience rights, as well as its application to immigration, adoption and health care and humanitarian concerns.
In observance of the Fortnight for Freedom, you are invited to join us for the celebration of Mass on Thursday, June 29, 2017 at 6:30 pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Raleigh. This Mass will be followed by a picnic, hosted by the Knights of Columbus, on the parish grounds.
During the Fortnight, the faithful are encouraged to pray for the intention of preserving and promoting religious freedom.
Parishes and the faithful are also encouraged to dedicate the intention of preserving and promoting religious freedom to any of their regularly scheduled devotions, such as Holy Hours, the Holy Rosary, during the observance of the Fortnight.
The Fortnight begins on the vigil for the feast days of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher. Both More and Fisher were patriots. They never rose up to incite rebellion or foment revolution. But when the law of the king came into conflict with the law of Christ, they chose Christ. These men gave their lives for the freedom of the Church and freedom of conscience. They bear witness to the truth that no government can make a claim on a person’s soul.
For more information and educational resources on the Fortnight for Freedom, visit our website at
www.dioceseofraleigh.org/fortnight-for-freedom
or contact Mary Beth Phillips at Marybeth.phillips@raldioc.org or 919-719-8267.
At the request of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, all dioceses throughout our country will conduct a “Fortnight for Freedom,” beginning June 21 and concluding on July 4. The 14-day observance, which was first conducted in 2012, will focus on prayer, education and peaceful public action to protect our religious freedom with respect to the gift of life, marriage, conscience rights, as well as its application to immigration, adoption and health care and humanitarian concerns.
In observance of the Fortnight for Freedom, you are invited to join us for the celebration of Mass on Thursday, June 29, 2017 at 6:30 pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Raleigh. This Mass will be followed by a picnic, hosted by the Knights of Columbus, on the parish grounds.
During the Fortnight, the faithful are encouraged to pray for the intention of preserving and promoting religious freedom.
Parishes and the faithful are also encouraged to dedicate the intention of preserving and promoting religious freedom to any of their regularly scheduled devotions, such as Holy Hours, the Holy Rosary, during the observance of the Fortnight.
The Fortnight begins on the vigil for the feast days of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher. Both More and Fisher were patriots. They never rose up to incite rebellion or foment revolution. But when the law of the king came into conflict with the law of Christ, they chose Christ. These men gave their lives for the freedom of the Church and freedom of conscience. They bear witness to the truth that no government can make a claim on a person’s soul.
For more information and educational resources on the Fortnight for Freedom, visit our website at
www.dioceseofraleigh.org/fortnight-for-freedom
or contact Mary Beth Phillips at Marybeth.phillips@raldioc.org or 919-719-8267.
Prayer for a New Bishop
Almighty God, Eternal shepherd and guide, In your love for us, Grant to the Diocese of Raleigh A shepherd who will lead us To be Christ’s heart of mercy, Voice of hope, and hands of justice.
Help him to fill our minds and hearts With the truth of the Gospel, The power of the sacraments, And the desire to build up your holy Church.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, Eternal shepherd and guide, In your love for us, Grant to the Diocese of Raleigh A shepherd who will lead us To be Christ’s heart of mercy, Voice of hope, and hands of justice.
Help him to fill our minds and hearts With the truth of the Gospel, The power of the sacraments, And the desire to build up your holy Church.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the Office of the Bishop
Saying goodbye is never easy. Over the past several weeks, Bishop Burbidge has had to say goodbye over and over again as he made his last visits to parishes, schools, and ministries of the Diocese of Raleigh. It all culminated last night with a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Cary.
Below you can find video of his homily from the Mass as well as a recent interview on A Catholic Life podcast where he shared his thoughts about this major transition in his life, as well as that of the Dioceses of Raleigh and Arlington.
Homily from the Mass of Thanksgiving, November 30, 2016
His last interview in the Diocese of Raleigh studios
Below you can find video of his homily from the Mass as well as a recent interview on A Catholic Life podcast where he shared his thoughts about this major transition in his life, as well as that of the Dioceses of Raleigh and Arlington.
Homily from the Mass of Thanksgiving, November 30, 2016
His last interview in the Diocese of Raleigh studios
December 4, 2016
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As this Jubilee Year of Mercy concludes, I join you in expressing gratitude to our retired men and women Consecrated Religious who have given their lives in faithful dedicated service as instruments of Our Lord's mercy to all of those entrusted to their care.
Saint John Paul II said all Consecrated Religious serve as a leaven in our society in comforting the sick,
educating our youth and generously tending to all those most in need. These men and women, who have
provided so much for us and countless others, are now in need themselves. Attending to these needs is done each year through the Retirement Fund for Religious, which greatly assists in the care of nearly 33,000 senior brothers, sisters, and priests, as they continue to serve in their apostolate, if even only by the power of their prayer.
I request that you prayerfully consider a gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious this year and that you
remember them among your daily intentions.
May Our Lord Jesus continue to bless you and your loved ones, and may Mary, Mother of the Church, watch over all those who have served the mission of Christ.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge
Diocesan Administrator
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As this Jubilee Year of Mercy concludes, I join you in expressing gratitude to our retired men and women Consecrated Religious who have given their lives in faithful dedicated service as instruments of Our Lord's mercy to all of those entrusted to their care.
Saint John Paul II said all Consecrated Religious serve as a leaven in our society in comforting the sick,
educating our youth and generously tending to all those most in need. These men and women, who have
provided so much for us and countless others, are now in need themselves. Attending to these needs is done each year through the Retirement Fund for Religious, which greatly assists in the care of nearly 33,000 senior brothers, sisters, and priests, as they continue to serve in their apostolate, if even only by the power of their prayer.
I request that you prayerfully consider a gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious this year and that you
remember them among your daily intentions.
May Our Lord Jesus continue to bless you and your loved ones, and may Mary, Mother of the Church, watch over all those who have served the mission of Christ.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge
Diocesan Administrator
Promise to Protect & Pledge to Heal!
The Catholic Church is absolutely committed to the safety of children. Together we can make a promise to protect and a pledge to heal. We have administered over 2 million background checks to ensure the Catholic Church is one of the safest institutions in the country. Check out our video for more information about our efforts against child abuse.
The Catholic Church is absolutely committed to the safety of children. Together we can make a promise to protect and a pledge to heal. We have administered over 2 million background checks to ensure the Catholic Church is one of the safest institutions in the country. Check out our video for more information about our efforts against child abuse.
Prevent Child Abuse
Did you know that when a person is assaulted as a child, he or she may wait years or decades to tell another person about it? The reasons for this vary. Victims may want to deny the fact that someone they trusted could do this to them; they may want to just put it behind them. They may believe that they caused the assault by their behavior; or they may fear how other people will react to the truth. For more information on learning how you can help ensure the safety of children,
1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-53736). You may also call: The Diocese of Raleigh Office of Child and Youth Protection at 1-866-535-7233 or email safe@raldioc.org
Did you know that when a person is assaulted as a child, he or she may wait years or decades to tell another person about it? The reasons for this vary. Victims may want to deny the fact that someone they trusted could do this to them; they may want to just put it behind them. They may believe that they caused the assault by their behavior; or they may fear how other people will react to the truth. For more information on learning how you can help ensure the safety of children,
1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-53736). You may also call: The Diocese of Raleigh Office of Child and Youth Protection at 1-866-535-7233 or email safe@raldioc.org
To read a letter from Bishop Burbidge concerning National Child Abuse Prevention Month, please click here.
