Pentecost XIV
THE SUMMER NOVENA
TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP
WITH THE THIRTEEN TUESDAYS OF ST. ANTHONY
JUNE 14 – SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
Download Prayers
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Daily Sermons
August 12 – Bp. Dolan – St. Clare
August 13 – Bp. Dolan – Vigil of the Assumption
August 15 – Bp. Dolan – Our Lady’s Assumption
August 19 – Bp. Dolan – St. John Eudes
August 20 – Fr. Lehtoranta – St. Bernard and His Family
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✠ The Bishop’s Corner ✠
One of the bright spots of these dark dank days of clammy rain is surely the sun. How we appreciate it, are drawn to it, even in all of its fiery force this August. Thursday evening after Vespers Fr. McKenna was kindly barbecuing some chicken at the convento for our supper. It was nice to sit on the porch and sizzle a bit myself in the westerly sun, and smell the sweet, fresh cut grass. Kroger’s corn was off, and we were wondering if it is past its prime now in Ohio. But it was a fine dinner. Fr. Cekada joined us for the meal.
But the sun of our days this Assumption Octave is She who has it for a garment, and stars for her hair, and the moon at her feet. God willed we should keep the feast in the rain on Monday, but the cloister served nicely for our little blessing and procession. The altar and Assumption shrine were splendid in their blue and white. The music shone as well, as did our servers. The Simpson brothers took their turn at mastering the complex ritual of the Pontifical Mass, under the watchful eye of Master Rich. All went well indeed, and many of you made Mary’s Mass and sanctified the great Summer holy day, even though it was a work or school day.
We enjoyed our visit with the young Columbian seminarian, Tobias Bayer, who is also American on his mother’s side. Fr. Arnoldo of Tijuana, Mexico visits us this week. Another seminarian will be coming on Labor Day for a visit, and our own Fr. Larrabee returns on 9/11 for a few days.
Fr. Cekada has been feeling better of late, although still weak. He’s been able to catch up on a number of work projects before his final (we hope!) round of chemo on Tuesday. Thank you for your persevering Tuesday prayers for him and all of our sick!
Fr. Lehtoranta enjoyed his northern missions trip, and is now preparing for a new school year. Fr. McGuire is back for his first Milwaukee weekend after his nice Florida trip. It was rainy there too, but somehow he managed to soak up all the sun’s rays. He reports a flurry of interest in our St. Joseph mission in Illinois, after a number of very quiet years. Father also made a long sick call—five hours or so one way—to bring Holy Communion to an elderly lady who used to attend our Saybrook mission until the sisters moved. This was the first mission Fr. McGuire established as a newly ordained priest, before we even met the dear Benedictine Sisters. Oh, by the way, they will be registering your dear children for Sunday School next week
One of the great truths of life in this Eclipse of the Church, is that Catholics come and go from church often without explanation and even after many years. Then they will come back, and then maybe leave again. This, while so sad, is understandable, and we should never give way to resentment. It’s unstable difficult world for us to navigate, the sun of the Church being eclipsed. So it is always cheering to report new faithful who made it to us in spite of it all, and from a distance! Several new families have joined St. Gertrude from Columbus, Ohio or even far off Indiana, this summer. God is good, but mysterious in the ways of His grace. Be sure to say hello, and spare a prayer for our fallen aways.
Among the many beautiful devotions which sweeten our otherwise dry modern world, the Immaculate Heart of Mary surely stands out. One hundred years ago Almighty God sent His Mother to Fatima, specifically to request it, particularly for world peace. The world’s response, even Rome’s, was spotty, and we suffered the consequences. But you know it must still be an enormously pleasing devotion to the Almighty. Tomorrow is the feast itself. Make a Mass of reparation if you can, 8 AM or 5 PM. God reward you!
– Bishop Dolan