Dear Friends,
What beautiful celebrations for our parish family last weekend. Mother Nature did not offer her best but that did not stifle the gifts of the Lord and the joy of the Holy Spirit from touching us very deeply.
In the context of two celebrations of Holy Mass, our children made their First Holy Communion. Their faces and the faces of their parents radiated so much happiness and joy. What a blessing, what a grace as these youngsters received Jesus, His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, for the first time. What a reminder for their families and for all of us of the greatness of God, the abundant generosity of His love, His sacrifice, and His ongoing care for us. The whole day was filled with so much grace and joy!
Thank you to everyone who work so hard helping these children to prepare and celebrate at Mass: Mrs. Jusko, Mrs. Healy, our catechists, our teachers, our musicians, our lectors, and altar servers. God bless everyone.
Then on Sunday, Mother’s Day, our parish family along with many of our First Communicants crowned our Blessed Mother at the end of the 10:30 AM Mass. We thank the children who participated in the short procession and offering of a carnation to our Lady. We thank our May Queen, Naomi Clauhs, a member of our Youth Ministry, for her participation in crowning the statue of our Lady in our Sanctuary. Again, there was so much joy in evidence as we entrusted ourselves and our fragile, broken world to our Blessed Mother. Last weekend, we also offered a special blessing to all mothers at the end of all the Masses.
I guess it is at least partially age but also the frenetic pace of the world that makes time move so quickly… We are at the middle of May already with so much more on the calendars. As I write this column, it is the day when our priests will be leaving to attend a short convocation with Archbishop Pérez at Hershey. The topic is Discerning our Path of Hope Together. Monsignor Murray was the one “manning the fort” here, covering the Sacramental and pastoral needs while Father Giardini and I were gone. Thank you so much Monsignor Murray.
Our Following Christ participants are having their on-campus retreat Saturday, May 14 which is always a most blessed event. On May 25, the Holy Cross students will celebrate their May crowning of our Lady. May 26 is Ascension Thursday, a holy day of obligation. Our Masses that day are 6:30, 9 AM, 12:05, 7 PM. Monday, May 30, Memorial Day, Mass is at 9 AM as we remember all those who gave their lives in defending our country and freedom. And before we realize it school will be ending, and summer will be in full swing. Whew…not trying to rush anything, just trying to catch my breath.
Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, may our good and gracious Father God keep you and your loved ones in the palm of His hands, secure in His love and mercy, now and always!
God bless you, God love you,
Monsignor McCulken
