Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Our Lord Jesus Christ is RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN!!!
 
Happy Mother’s Day
May God bless our mothers today and especially in this month of May dedicated to our Blessed Mother.  Tune in to our Facebook page Sunday May 10 at 11am as we ask God’s blessing for our mothers.  We will also crown the statue of Mary in the Marian shrine near the rectory.
 
Congratulations to Emily Flaherty!
During the Livestream Mass on Saturday May 9, Emily Flaherty will be received in the Catholic Church. Through a profession of faith and Sacraments of Initiation, she is now in full communion with God’s Holy Church. It has been a delight working with Emily, seeing her grow in responding to God’s grace.  She reminds all of us that God is at work even in lockdown. Even if the church is ostensibly “closed,” the Church is still celebrating God at work in our lives.  I invite you to examine your own Catholic life, your reception of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. Let us reflect on how we can live those graces even more fruitfully as we offer prayers for Emily and her family.
 
Mass Intentions
A reminder that even as “public Masses” are “canceled,” I am still offering “private Masses” everyday (forgive all the quotes, but these are not ways to normally describe the Mass). In the midst of all this, every priest, except for a just cause, should still be celebrating Masses.  There are a few reasons for this.  The priesthood is so connected to and so deeply finds its source in the Mass, a priest should celebrate it every day even if there is not a congregation.  This leads to the second reason.  Remember the Mass is efficacious for the upbuilding of the Church not because we make it so, but because it is the re-presentation of Calvary, which is Christ’s work.  Graces are made available to the Church through the Mass even if there are not people there to participate.  This does not mean the faithful are unimportant; the Lord wants the whole body there!  Similar to a hose still watering the garden in the background, patiently waiting for when the people can return to enjoy the flowers. Another reason for these daily Masses is that there are specific intentions attached to them.  Of course it is a blessing to be at the Mass which is being offered for one’s intention, but again since it is Christ offering the Mass we can be assured God’s graces are still flowing and benefiting the Church Suffering (Purgatory) and the Church Militant (members of the Church on earth).
 
Donations
Thank you to all who continue to send in or drop off your envelopes.  Also thank you for your continued generosity to St. Vincent DePaul Society.  Those who are able, keep it up!  We do still have bills to pay and there are more people in need of help with food especially.  A finance council meeting was held (on “zoom” to maintain social distancing) last week. We are keeping tabs on our finances and strategizing a plan to see us through. Details of our status will be forthcoming.  
 
May God bless you and Mary keep you!
 
Happy Easter! Stay Healthy and Holy!
In Christ,
Fr. Pfr