A Mother’s Plea: I received a very humble email from one of our parishioners, Shelley Rariden. Her college-age son, Robby, needs a kidney transplant—and the sooner the better! After exhausting her family and friends and other resources for a kidney match for her son, she is looking for help from her parish family. If you are willing to donate a kidney and get tested to see if you are a right match, please contact Amy Miller at the University of Toledo Medical Center at (419) 383-3419. Shelley thanked Holy Family Parish for their ongoing prayers.
Eucharistic Miracle in Buenos Aires: A couple of parishioners have alerted me to the Eucharistic Miracle in Buenos Aires. I decided to look it up online. I have to admit, I was really fascinated by this miracle, especially since Cardinal Bergolio (now Pope Francis) was involved. Like other Eucharistic miracles, tests find that the Eucharist is made of heart tissue. The story and video are worth taking a look at. We are so incredibly blessed that Jesus gives us His Heart each time in the Eucharist. What else could we ask for?
Adding water to the wine: A parishioner asked me if we still add water to the wine in our chalices since we made changes to the preparation of the gifts. This change includes the chalices being full when the altar servers bring them to the altar. The answer is yes. We add water to the chalices before Mass. However, at the altar we only add water to the presider’s chalice. Why do we add water into the wine? During the time of Jesus it was the custom to add water to the wine because the wine was much stronger at the time. However, the adding of water to the wine has taken on a spiritual significance as well. First, it reminds us of the piercing of Christ’s heart after his death in which at once came out blood and water. Second, it reminds us of Christ’s divinity (blood) and humanity (water). The priest or deacon, when he pours water in the wine, says, “by the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled Himself to share in our humanity.”
November is Black History Month: We thank God for the gift and blessing that are our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Fr. Gary on vacation: Fr. Gary is leaving on Sunday (November 15th) for a vacation. He will be visiting his brother in Buffalo before returning to celebrate his sister’s wedding in Fowler on November 21st. He will be back in the office on November 24th. I also have a wedding on Saturday (Nov. 21st) in Plymouth. The couple are both in their late thirties and are very happy they discovered each other! Retired priests Fr. Kolenski and Msgr. Groshek will be assisting at Masses next weekend.
Little brother: Speaking of Fr. Gary, his younger brother Randy won the euchre tournament on November 6th. He ended up spending the night and when I saw him in the morning the following day I congratulated him for winning. And then I asked if I could borrow some money. His immediate response was “no!”
Guests from Minnesota: As I mentioned in last Sunday’s bulletin, we have guest priests visiting this weekend. Frs. Nick Nelson and Spencer Howe will be here, and I will be taking them to Lansing and Ann Arbor to visit some of their friends from the seminary. They will preside at the 5:00 p.m. Sunday Mass; Deacon Dennis Pannell from St. Robert’s in Flushing will preach at that Mass. Deacon Pannell recently moved to the Grand Blanc area.
Our Veterans: On Nov. 10th I visited the 55 & Over group. They acknowledged our 18 veterans who served our country, many from World War II. Thank you for serving our country!
Coach Hanlon: I hope to see you at the “Tailgate party” with Coach Jerry Hanlon on November 24th. Please see our website for more information.
Have a blessed week walking with the Lord.
Msgr. Jerry
Saint quote of the day:
“O Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of eternal life, Your Heart is a glowing furnace of Love. You are my refuge and my sanctuary.”
St. Gertrude, whose feast day is November 16th.