"As His Church here on Long Island, the Diocese of Rockville Centrecan deepen our faith, renew our hope and make our love for the Lord and one another ever more fervent and real. Nourished by the Body and Blood of the Lord, we then can “put out into the deep” and become evangelizers of one another, of our neighbors who may not know the riches of the Sunday Mass, and of all the men and women in our communities who thirst for the love that only God can give and which He offers to us in abundance at every celebration of the Mass."- Bishop William Murphy
NEW Pastoral Letter
In the beauty of this Advent and Christmas season, our hearts are filled with joy because of what we celebrate: the birth of Jesus from Mary His Mother in the Bethlehem stable as Joseph kept watch and angels sang “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests”. There are two groups whose coming to the Bethlehem stable commands our attention. First are the shepherds in the fields so near the manger of Jesus. Hearing the message of the angel, they respond with open hearts and ready wills: “Let us go to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place which the Lord has made known to us”. They found Jesus and they entered with grateful hearts into the warmth of the company of Mary and Joseph glorifying God for the gift of His Son. [Printable PDF Version Here]
Dear God and loving Father, We ask your forgiveness for our own sins and for sins committed in the name of the Church. In your loving mercy forgive especially those sins that have harmed children and young people, as well as sins against the unborn, the poor and the vulnerable. Help us to be reconciled to one another and make us holy in your sight, that, united in the One Body of Christ, we may worship you with pure hearts, proclaim your name with faith and hope and witness your love to all humankind. We ask through Christ our Lord.
En este hermoso tiempo de Adviento y Navidad, nuestros corazones están llenos de alegría por lo que celebramos: el nacimiento de Jesús quien nació de María, Su Madre en el establo de Belén mientras José se mantuvo en vigilia y los ángeles cantaron “Gloria a Dios en las alturas y en la tierra paz a los hombres en quienes él se complace”. Hay dos grupos cuya llegada al establo de Belén llama nuestra atención. En primer lugar están los pastores en los campos tan cerca del pesebre de Jesús. Escuchando el mensaje del ángel, responden con el corazón abierto y con disponibilidad: “Vamos a Belén a ver esto que ha tenido lugar y que el Señor nos ha dado a conocer”. Ellos encontraron a Jesús y entraron con un corazón agradecido en la calidez de la compañía de María y José glorificando a Dios por el don de su Hijo.
Oración Diocesana Para el Perdón y la Reconciliación
Querido Dios y Padre amoroso, Te pedimos perdón por nuestros propios pecados y por los pecados cometidos en nombre de la Iglesia. En Tu amor misericordioso perdona especialmente aquellos pecados que han perjudicado a los niños y personas jóvenes. También aquellos pecados contra los no nacidos, los pobres y los vulnerables. Ayúdanos a reconciliarnos unos con otros y haz que seamos santos ante Ti. Qué unidos en un solo Cuerpo de Cristo, podamos adorarte con corazones puros, proclamar Tu nombre con fe y esperanza y testimoniar Tu amor a toda la humanidad. Te lo pedimos por Cristo, nuestro Señor. Amén.
Below is a list of pastoral letters written by Bishop William Murphy during his time as Bishop of Rockville Centre. Select the title of a given pastoral letter to view the full text.
Do This in Memory of Me A Pastoral Letter to the Priests of the Diocese Regarding the Proper Celebration of the Eucharist and Distribution of Holy Communion Issued: May 9, 2008