Bishop Serratelli

Okay, I already liked the guy.... and his weekly column about the Pope, as the successor of Peter is a real keeper:
http://www.patersondiocese.org/article.cfm?Web_ID=2546

But why am I even MORE tickled by His Excellency's column (Pope of Hope: Courageous Witness of Faith) describing the travel arrangements for his pilgrimage? (Even if it did put me in mind of Letterman's running gag of beginning a story, "As I was riding to work this morning on the subway....")
How did YOUR bishop get to DC?
How are the pennies you drop in the collection plate being used?
Dang, I wish his name were easier to spell... (popes get to pick new names, huh?)

Those who belong to Jesus the Good Shepherd form one Church, one flock. The Church is not a mere gathering of people who share the same convictions or strive for the same ideals. As those called out of the world, the Church (εκκλησια) comprises those who are bound together as one body (1 Cor 12). In the members of this one body, the Church, the Triune God dwells in each and makes them one.
The Church is the communio of each baptized person with the Father through Christ in the Spirit. It is the communio of all who are fellow-sharers in the divine nature. “The faithful are one because, in the Spirit, they are in communion with the Son and, in him, share in his communion with the Father…” (Pope John Paul II, Ut Unum Sint, 9).
Christ, who formed his Church as a communio, did not leave his followers without the means to remain one. Christ instituted the Twelve to lead his Church. “He constituted [them] in the form of a college or permanent assembly, at the head of which he placed Peter, chosen from among them" (Lumen Gentium, 19). The Good Shepherd conferred on Peter the task of keeping the Church united as one flock, as one communio of truth and life.
When Peter confessed Jesus as the Messiah and Son of the Living God at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus said to Peter, “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church” (Mt 16:18). Peter was to have a foundational role in the life of the Church. At the Last Supper, Jesus already knew that the Evil One would scatter his flock. Because of the role Jesus was giving Peter, he told him, “I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail, and once you have recovered, you in your turn must strengthen your brothers” (Lk 22:32). Finally, after the Resurrection, Jesus solemnly commissioned Peter with his special role of shepherding the whole Church when he told him three times on the shore of Tiberias, “Feed my lambs” (Jn 21:15-17).
This pastoral office belongs to the Church's very foundation. It continues in every age. Thus, in the mystery of God’s providence for the unity of the Church, the Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter's successor, "is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful" (Lumen Gentium, 22, 2).
Despite their office, some popes, such as John XII (937-964), the Borgia Alexander VI (1492-1503) and the Medici Clement VII (1523-1534), were no saints. Throughout her history, the Church has had to endure about ten corrupt popes. However, there have been 78 popes canonized and 9 beatified. In recent times, the face of the papacy has shown with the light of great holiness in Pius XII (1939-1958), John XXIII (1958-1963), Paul VI (1963-1978), John Paul I (1978), and John Paul II (1978-2005).
History can record the abuses of power, weakness and sins of individual men who have been the successors of Peter. But our faith as Catholics does not rest in man, but in Jesus the Good Shepherd who never abandons us. Despite the serious crises that have disturbed the Church, the Church has held on to the faith handed on by the Apostles. She has preserved all the elements and gifts that God wished the Church to have as his instrument of salvation for the world. The Lord is faithful to his promise to Peter and guides his Church by the power of the Holy Spirit. No human weakness can destroy what God intends.
How blessed we are these days to welcome among us Pope Benedict XVI. He comes as Successor to Peter, as visible head of the Church and the Vicar of Christ on earth. He comes “to proclaim this great truth: Jesus Christ is hope for men and women of every language, race, culture and social condition. Yes, Christ is the face of God present among us. Through him, our lives reach fullness, and together, both as individuals and peoples, we can become a family united by fraternal love, according to the eternal plan of God the Father” (Pope Benedict XVI in his video message to the United States, April 8, 2008). The words and personal witness of our Holy Father is a sign of the love of God who raises up for us a good shepherd for our times.