Dear Friends,
What an exciting and busy weekend for our parish family. Saturday, we celebrated two Masses for First Holy Communion. How precious to witness our children receiving Jesus for the first time. As disciples of Jesus, we firmly believe and proclaim that Holy Communion is not a symbol or a memorial or a remembrance but actually the true and real Jesus, His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. What a truly unbelievable gift of love from our saving Lord. We become joined, in communion with, Him in a real way. May I ask that you offer a prayer of thanks and intercession for these young disciples and their families.
At the 10:30 AM Mass, we have our annual May crowning of our Blessed Mother to whom this month is dedicated. We welcome members of our Youth Group and our First Holy Communicants as special participants in our crowning of Mary on this Mother's Day. What a special tribute from our parish family to Mary, who is our Mother also and who always brings us to Her Son whenever we turn to her in prayer.
And this is Mother’s Day weekend. We offer prayers for and special recognition to all mothers, living or deceased. Mothers nurture us in the gift of life and of faith. We are so grateful for their innumerable sacrifices and selfless love. We have a special blessing for all mothers at the end of each Mass this weekend.
This is also the month of graduations, weddings, and ordinations. Next Saturday, May 14, Archbishop Pérez will ordain 7 men to the transitional diaconate, including Anthony Albanese who was here with us for his apostolic formation. Deacon Anthony Albanese will return on Pentecost Sunday, June 5 and preach at the 12 Noon Mass. He will join us for our Parish picnic as well.
On Saturday, May 21, the Archbishop will ordain 6 men to the priesthood including Deacon Andrew Auletta, of course, and Deacon Sang Woo Chi who also was here for his Acolyte year. How blessed our parish is to have helped these young men along in the journey to priesthood. As you know soon-to-be Father Auletta will celebrate the 12 Noon Mass on May 29 and we will have a small reception afterwards to celebrate. Father Sang will return on June 5 and be the main celebrant at the 12 Noon Mass which Deacon Albanese will preach and join us for the picnic.
Our parish priests celebrate their anniversaries of ordination in May, of course. On May 15, myself will be 46 years a priest; on May 18, Monsignor Murray will be 54 years a priest and Father Giardini will be 3 years a priest. That adds up to 103 years of priestly ministry. God has richly blessed each of us and we give Him thanks for His great love and mercy, day in and day out.
One stray thought, I am praying that the Spring warmth will become a constant and we can have many days to enjoy our trees and flowers coming back into life.
God bless you, God love you,
Monsignor McCulken
