Father’s Day: We ask God’s abundant blessings upon all our fathers this weekend. We pray that they may be like St. Joseph, as “guardians of their family.” We thank God for the gift of their families and their faith. I hope all of our fathers enjoy their special day.
Anniversary: One of the little things that we do at our parish that I really appreciate is mention those who “died on this day” during our intercessions. Speaking of anniversaries of death and fathers, my dad died on June 21 (first day of summer), in the year 2000. It’s been a custom to celebrate Mass at my mom’s house that day with some of my brothers and sisters attending. I’ll be at my mom’s house a few days this week, including June 21.
Freedom: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishop has once again asked us to pray for the particular intention of religious liberty during the Fortnight for Freedom. This begins on June 21 and will go to July 4. Please pray that we always have the right to worship and bear witness to the Gospel.
Orlando Shooting: So saddened to hear about the shooting in Orlando last Sunday! We send our thoughts and prayers to all those affected by this tragedy. We pray especially for the end of all violence and a respect for all life.
Wedding: As I mentioned last weekend, I will be gone this weekend for my niece’s wedding. It will be nice to see a lot of my extended family.
Football game: Enjoyed playing football with the grade school students and with Fr. Gary last Sunday. Some of the grade school students on Fr. Gary’s team ran really fast—it certainly can’t be that I’m slowing down! After the game I ran into Joe Delaney, the head football coach at Grand Blanc and whose wife works at our school. I asked him if he thought after watching the game whether I could help him as an assistant. He had one of those looks like, “you better stick with your day job.”
Ordinations to the priesthood: We are so blessed in our diocese! Five deacons were ordained priests on June 10. They are good men, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. If you are able, please don’t forget to attend the Thanksgiving Masses on June 26 for Fr. Peter Lawrence at the Noon Mass and Fr. Brian Lenz at the 6 p.m. Mass.
New Ulm: Perhaps you haven’t heard of the Diocese of New Ulm in Minnesota. I think it’s one of the smallest dioceses in the United States. I am going there on Friday, June 24, to attend the ordination of Deacon Garrett Ahlers on June 25. He asked me to vest him for his ordination. I knew him in Rome. I’ll be back for the late Masses on June 26.
Anointing of the Sick: Both Fr. Gary and I have had powerful experiences with people who are dying and administering the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to them. If you know someone who is very ill, please make sure we know so we can anoint them. Often times in the Scripture we find people coming to Jesus to let him know of someone they care for who is sick.
Vacation Bible School: This coming week is our Vacation Bible School led by our Director of Religious Education, Jan Gravel. Thanks to all the volunteers and participants who make it a special week.
Mission Makeover: After my start at our parish last July, it wasn’t long before Mission Makeover was taking place at our parish and beyond. I was really impressed with the organization of our Religious Education department and service that our youth did. Fr. Gary and I visited a lot of sites where the youth volunteered their time to help others. This summer’s Mission Makeover is July 11 – 15. I hope to see many of our youth attending again. It’s a great week! (See more information on page 9 in the bulletin.)
Hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather. May God bless you and your families during these summer months.
Msgr. Jerry
Saint quote of the week: “It is better to be the child of God than king of the whole world.”
St. Aloysius Gonzaga, whose feast day is June 21.