Pastor's Reflection
Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, June 11, 2023
Dear Friends,
Our first reading a few weekends ago was from chapter six of the Acts of the Apostles concerning the appointment of the first deacons in the Church as the community of believers continued to grow in Jerusalem. On Saturday of this weekend, Archbishop Peréz ordained four men to the Permanent Diaconate at the Cathedral Basilica. On this Sunday then allow me to give a “shout out” to Deacon Jack Hasson and Deacon Ed Hinson, who serve our parish family here. May God continue to bless them, and all deacons, with every grace for their diaconal ministry and service to God’s people. Additionally, I want to acknowledge Mike Connor as he progresses in his studies and formation to become a Permanent Deacon in our Archdiocese. God grant him every grace and blessing to persevere as he continues his preparation at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, June 4 2023
Dear Friends,
This weekend we welcomed back now Father Anthony Albanese who celebrated the Vigil Mass and joined us in the narthex for our First Weekend pretzels. It is wonderful to have Father Albanese here to celebrate Holy Mass and to share his joy in being ordained to the priesthood. We wish him every grace and blessing as he begins his priestly service at Saint Laurence Church, Highland Park.
Pentecost Sunday May 28, 2023
Dear Friends,
Blessings and all grace on this awesome feast of Pentecost! The birthday of the Church. As God the Father is God above us who created us in love, and Jesus Christ is God with us, who came among us, so on Pentecost God came to dwell within us, within all who accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. In this way God fills us with Himself, with His life, and draws us into His inner Self. How blessed we are indeed.
An often prayed and comforting prayer for us on this feast day and for every day, one we learned as children is ~ Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray. O God, who did instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolation, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
