Dear Friends in Christ,
During the month of May, we honor Mary, the Blessed Mother. She is the Mother of God and we are also her adopted sons and daughters. Her example of humility, loyalty, and availability are qualities for us to embrace in our relationship with God and the Church. Perhaps this month you would consider developing a deeper devotion to the Rosary. Praying the Rosary helps in providing us with a focus on the life of Christ, an opportunity to embrace the qualities of Mary and also to ask for her intercession for our needs and petitions. If you find it challenging to pray an entire Rosary (five decades), perhaps you would consider praying a decade a day to get started. I am confident that you will enjoy this sacred time and it will develop and grow into a deeper desire to pray more fully each day. I also invite you to our next Living Rosary on Wednesday, May 21 at 7pm in the Church. This is a wonderful way for us to pray as a community and honor Mary as the Patroness of our parish.
Today we also celebrate Mother’s Day. We give thanks to our mothers (living or deceased) for the gift of life that they have shared with us and for the example and loving guidance provided through their vocation. It is also a day for us to honor those who have exhibited the beautiful qualities of the vocation of motherhood with us. May God’s protection and grace be poured especially upon all of the women of our parish family on this day!
Congratulations to the children of our parish family who are receiving (or received last weekend) their First Eucharist. I am especially grateful to parents for encouraging your family to grow in faith. Thank you for providing an atmosphere in your home where our Catholic faith can be nurtured and grow!
When you come before the Lord this week, please pray for the Priests and Religious Sisters that staff our parish. Know that we will remember you, your loved ones and your intentions in our prayers as well. May we meet each day in our prayers!
In Christ,
Very Rev. Stephen D. Parkes, V.F.
Pastor