St. Anne, Mother of Our Lady

Daily Sermons
July 3 – Fr. Lehtoranta – Blessed Peter of Luxembourg
July 15 – Fr. Lehtoranta – Girls’ Camp I: The Modesty of Judith
July 16 – Fr. Lehtoranta – Girls’ Camp II: The Nail of Jahel
July 17 – Fr. Lehtoranta – Girls’ Camp III: Rahab, A Flower of Godliness
July 24 – Bp. Dolan – St. James & St. Christina
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zelusdomustuae
✠ The Bishop’s Corner ✠
I write this on a very quiet St. Mary Magdalen’s morning, basking peacefully in the perfection of a beautiful cool day. I joked with someone that we’re entitled to one nice morning every summer, but the truth of the matter is that we average several a month, and they are each of them gratefully welcome.

I was out on my porch earlier today, praying with the cats, who had already breakfasted. Well, I was praying, but Caravaggio was preying in the wet grass, all business as he crouched down, having spotted a potential victim. Puccini meanwhile was sporting a scar on his little white snout. It may have been Caravaggio who got carried away during one of their rare recreations, a little roughhousing. Is suspect though it’s that devoted drone of a killdeer who shadows Puccini all day, attack diving as the occasion presents itself. Puccini’s patience is a constant edification to me, matching Caravaggio’s celebrated meekness.

The cats were blamed the other day when a hapless hare showed up in the cloister. But it turns out that it got caught in the door, poor thing, and never a bit of harm from our friendly felines. Miss Mikesell was however prepared to offer first air to the battered bunny, who hopped off happily.

Last Sunday was a hot and humid day, but a glorious Lord’s Day for it all. We had record attendance at the 7:30, but a fine attendance throughout the day. High Mass was particularly well sung, all zeal and devotion. It was nice to see so many visitors from other states and from our past as well, and to have a little chat with some of them.

But the high point of our Sunday was surely the afternoon, which found us back in the now almost empty church, to close the day with our Vespers and Benediction, as is the old custom among Christians (once, it was law!) from long ago. So, there we were, on the warmest afternoon of the year, chanting away full throttle in praise of God, ably assisted by a volunteer cantor (Fr. Cekada was away) and a sanctuary full of singing acolytes. It was glorious. Quite counter-cultural, exactly the thing we should be up to on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Deo Gratias.

Later that evening as I walked home up the hill after the last Mass was offered and the morrow’s arrangements were made, our pleasant green landscape was hosting a cardinal, some robins and a lot of rabbits. All was quiet and well. Indeed, thanks be to God. God bless and draw back those who have drawn away from Him the Summer. How could we live without the Mass? How can we not make time for God, Who literally created time for us, and for His glory, and asks for ours in return on the first day of the week, our first duty of sacrifice, the quit sublime prayer of the Mass. Although we give God to God in the Mass, surely we get more than we give if we go to.

Well, we are anticipating a livelier scene this week. The lawn will be dotted with tents as the Boy’s Camp opens on Tuesday. Calling all the lads for some serious play! The McFathers do it all for you. Don’t miss a single action-packed day, starting each morning with the 8 AM Mass, ending with the traditional campfire. God bless our Catholic men who are working with our boys this week.

God bless our grandmothers as well, this St. Anne’s day, and our drivers as we bless cars and pray St. Christopher for safety. There is always a blessing awaiting you at St. Gertrude the Great. Come and claim yours!

–Bp. Dolan