Bishop Earl Boyea recently announced the addition of a motto to the diocesan coat of arms. The motto, Iuxta Crucem Iesu (By the Cross of Jesus), is taken from St. John’s eyewitness account of our Lord’s Passion on the first Good Friday. (Jn 19:25) Bishop Boyea explained its significance: “From the cross, Jesus tells John that Mary is now his mother and Mary that John is now her son. ‘“Do whatever he tells you.’

“Sisters and brothers, we all have family but it is not the most important family. Rather, the real family is the one we enter which was created by Jesus. He makes us brothers and sisters and gives us God as our Father and Mary as our mother. Every family has its sorrows. But, in addition, in Christ, we have the joy of being made new in the Holy Spirit. In that, let us rejoice.”