Dear Friends,

 

Together with the clergy and laity of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, I want to offer my prayerful greetings as the Jewish community celebrates the solemn observances of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

 

These are days of prayer, reflection, and new beginnings. May everyone in the local Jewish community experience good health, wisdom and true peace in the year ahead.

 

Our times demand much prayerful reflection and a renewed commitment to justice and charity. Sadly, in our nation and world today, there are so many challenges to justice and charity which we are obligated to address. Often in our endeavors to improve the lot of those in need or in distress, we find ourselves divided and our discourse even more difficult. How do we unite? How do we properly serve our neighbor? May the Most High enlighten us along the path to authentic love.

 

Once again, please accept my warmest holiday greetings. As Pope Francis recently said to a group of Rabbis visiting him in Rome, “Shanah Tovah”!