One Another: There is a great story from our Christian tradition that says that St. John always preached the same message: “Love one another.” After a while, the people asked St. John why he preached the same thing over and over again. He responded, “Because the Master kept preaching it.” What does Jesus mean by saying to “love one another?” He adds the words, “As I have loved you.” How does he love us: by a complete self-offering and gift to us. To love one another means that we want what is best for the other person—especially their eternal salvation.
First Communion: We congratulate our First Communicants this weekend and next. As I told the school children recently, the Eucharist is by far the most important food and drink we can ever receive. Surely, we need food and drink to live, and more and more people eat healthy nowadays. But it’s the Eucharist where we receive the promise of Jesus, “whoever eats my Body and Drinks my Blood will live forever.” In other words, we can eat all the healthy food we want, but it’s only the Eucharist that is the guarantee to satisfy our deepest desire to live forever. I am grateful for our school teachers in our school and religious education program who have served our students.
Our Mother: Just as the moon shines because its surface reflects light from the sun, Our Blessed Mother shines because she reflects the light from her Son. May is Mary’s month. I enjoyed celebrating “the crowning of Mary” on May 1 with our school. Mary, at Fatima, invited the children to pray the rosary for peace in the world. As a child we used to pray the rosary as a family together. As I’ve mentioned before, the best way to bring peace and unity in your family is through our Blessed Mother.
All Hands on Deck: Can you spend a few hours volunteering? We need all the help we can get for the Grand Blanc Festival from June 7 – 10. Our parish is hosting a tent. Please give a few hours of your time.
Town Hall: As I discussed at all the Masses last weekend, we are having a town hall meeting to discuss our church renovation project. The date is Thursday, May 17, at 6:30 pm in the Fr. Bush Parish Center. Hope you can make it.
DSA: Thank you to all of you who have contributed to the Diocesan Services Appeal. Thus far, 146 donors have pledged $38,172. Hoping that we all contribute in some capacity.
Worthy cause: Our beloved Knights are hosting a spaghetti dinner to raise money for the Miracle League. This organization builds sports complexes for children with disabilities. The dinner is on Saturday, May 12, from 5 – 8 pm in our Fr. Bush Center. (See pg. 7 for more information.)
Scholars: A generous parishioner donated two $500 scholarships to our Holy Family students who wrote the best essay on Mother Angelica and Blessed Solunas Casey. He said he really had a hard time of picking the winner because they were all so good. He even responded, “hard to believe they are 12 (and 13)- year olds” writing these papers.
Band Concert and Grandparents: Lots of activity at our school this week—as usual. Really looking forward to attending our school band concert this Thursday, May 10. And then on Friday, May 11, we are hosting our grandparents for the morning. This is always a lot of fun.
Mystery: Super excited for our school auction on May 19. The theme is a mystery dinner. There are a few tickets available. (Please contact Ann Tabereaux at atabereaux@hfsgb.org for tickets.) It’s a lot of fun and hope to see you there!
Passing: Just got word that our oldest living parishioner, Edith Boisert, who was 103 1/2 years old, passed away. Eternal rest grant onto her!
We thank God for the beautiful weather. It’s great to see trees and flowers coming to life.
Love and prayers,
Msgr. Jerry
Some Saint quotes on the Blessed Mother in this month of May
“If you ever feel distressed during your day, call upon our Lady. Just say this simple prayer: ‘Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a Mother to me now.’ I must admit: this prayer has never failed me.”
Saint Mother Teresa
“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.”
Saint Maximilian Kolbe
“Always stay close to this Heavenly Mother because she is the sea to be crossed to reach the shores of eternal splendor.”
Saint Padre Pio