Trinity Sunday
Click the photo above for a slideshow from our 2011 Holy Week ceremonies.
—————-
The following weekday Masses will be webcast this week: (This is not an exhaustive list of Masses. Click “Download the Bulletin” for additional Mass times.)
Mon: 8:00 AM
Tue: 8:00 AM
Wed: 9:00 AM
Thu: 5:45 PM
Fri: 5:45 PM
Sat: 7:20 AM
—————-
The link to last Sunday’s sermon was incorrect for part of the week. If you missed it, listen here: Bp. Dolan on St. Pascal Baylon
—————-
It’s almost time for the St. Gertrude the Great Girls’ Camp! Girls ages 5-16+ are welcome to join us on July 6, 7, and 8th for three days of fun and spiritual activities. We will be joined by three sisters of St. Thomas Aquinas for days filled with camp favorites such as archery, scrap-booking and of course, the popular Ice Cream Social.
This year we’ll also be adding new activities such as candy making, a canoe trip (age appropriate), overnight camping (age appropriate too!) and bonfire, as well as an elegant Little Girls’ Tea Party. Come join the fun!
Please call the office for further details and to register. The cost of this camp is funded by the donations of our generous sponsors.
Bishop’s Corner
Wonderful weather greeted the great days of Pentecost this year. The Vigil dawned dark and cool, as we resumed some of the spirit and text of Holy Saturday, awaiting now the light and warmth of the Holy Ghost. But the sun shone out as the altar was finally flooded with light and sound, the melody of many chimes and bells, to mark the Gloria, which anticipates the Holy Ghost’s descent at nine o’clock Pentecost morning. Eight new Soldiers of Christ were confirmed after the Pontifical Mass, and enrolled in the Scapular. Finally, they were feted at the head able in Helfta Hall at a charming reception, which refreshed all of us after so long a vigil.
Pentecost morning started overcast and humid, but blue skies and cool dry air soon arrived to save the day, making our joy complete. At nine o’clock, our newly confirmed little Soldiers of Christ marched into church with their symbolic Baptismal candles for the High Mass and First Holy Communion. The sweetly moving music of the choir and organ, spiritual and joyful, helped us to lift our hearts to God as we brought our children to be fed with the Bread of Life. Pentecost Vespers closed this splendid day of God’s own Holy Spirit.
Pentecost Monday’s afternoon High Mass marked St. Anthony as well and led to our Fatima Rosary Procession. The good weather continued, making the nicely attended procession a delight. We could hardly believe it when Tuesday was yet another perfect day, as we met to sing the final (alas!) of our High Mass of the Octave, and open the Summer Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help and St. Anthony. By now we were all showing a little wear and tear, but it was worth it. Fr. McGuire and I had some sinus or something, and all of our devoted regulars (how good God is!) needed a little rest, that “dulce refrigerium” the Sequence promises.
Still, our daily Masses continued, and young chaplain Thomas Simpson managed an altar practice for Paddy Omlor, who’s steadily working on his Low Mass. Do your boys need training? Every boy should be an altar boy. Let us know, and we’ll work something out.
Ember Wednesday saw the cool dark return, but we didn’t mind since the thunder made us think of Sinai, and it was a day of penance and prayer, especially for candidates for Holy Orders. Please pray for our Reverend Mr. Vili Lehtoranta, to be ordained a deacon in Florida on SS Peter and Paul. One day he hopes to bring Christ’s light back to his native Finland.
The cats kept Pentecost in fine feline fashion. When they sit sphinx-like and silent in the high grass I know they’re up to something. Sure enough, Puccini bagged a baby bunny, and couldn’t resist conducting his own victorious procession Sunday morning. I watched with wonder. I hope, however, Ohio has a one bunny limit for the season. Now, if only the cats would concentrate on mice.
Fr. Larrabee was to Milwaukee for Pentecost, and I am happy to visit St. Hugh today. Fr. McGuire is up at Chillicothe, working on the new St. Clare chapel. Fr. Cekada has been continuing his internet apostolate with a series of postings on Fisheaters’ Forum as well as the National Catholic Register site, always seeking to explain sedevacantism, the only answer to the mysterious eclipse of the Church in our day.
We’re all preparing a wonderful Corpus Christi/St. John’s Eve for Thursday evening. Come, keep the feast with us! Mark the Sacrament of Sacraments by hearing Mass and receiving Holy Communion on the very day Our Lord requested. Afterwards, bring a dish to share for our potluck picnic as we await summer’s shortest night with a barbeque and blessed bonfire, St. John’s Fire. There will be a bit of singing and entertainment to round out the evening.
Be sure to visit our website sgg.org for the most delightful slideshow of this year’s Holy Week. You will be amazed at the color and the composition of the fine photos, and so proud and grateful for St. Gertrude the Great, which still gets God such glory in the midst of the eclipse.
God bless our fathers! Silent, strong leaders in our homes, we thank you for all of your sacrifices, and pray for you especially today. We really need you and do appreciate you. May St. Joseph walk and work with you, and the Sacred Heart sustain you.
–Bishop Dolan