Pentecost XVII
The funeral for †Dennis Hille will be on Thursday, October 1st. Rosary at 11:00 AM, with Requiem High Mass following.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
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Listen to Fr. Cekada’s Eulogy
Opening Procession for †Fr. Cekada’s Requiem Mass
†Fr. Cekada’s Burial Procession
Recent Short, Daily Sermons from Fr. Lehtoranta
St. Matthew, the Model of Prompt Obedience
Merciful St. Thomas of Villanova
✠ The Bishop’s Corner ✠
Friday was a ferial day, a welcome rest in the midst of the so many feasts September brings, as well as the “feast of sorrow” which has been ours all this month. But the innocent children, whose sweet singing again resounds at the school Mass, refresh and restore us as we strive to give it all to God, joys and sorrows, our sacrifices united with His at Calvary, at the altar. After all, to go up to the altar of God is to have our youth rejoiced.
Ten days, somebody said, of beautiful September weather, but the rainless weather does leave everything dry. Never mind, soon the rains will return to usher in a cooler October, and soon this incredible year of loss and gain will be ushered out. The ending will be good if enough will pray. Remember, that’s our job. For this we have been given peace and freedom here beyond the berm, at St. Gertrude the Great. It may be that our prayers will yet be heard, but your prayers will be heard by God who sees and rewards—or punishes—all. Pray.
So, first to the angels, whose seven choirs of countless celestial “prayer warriors” surround us, and crowd around the altar in adoration. St. Michael’s Solemn Mass is Tuesday. The Guardian Angels’ turn comes First Friday. Take your turn that night adoring. It’s your job. This is why God spared us, and spares us still.
Then the Saints come marching in the next fortnight, led by the “greatest saint of modern times,” St. Therese. Humble St. Francis ducks behind the Dominican Rosary next Sunday, Rosary Sunday. I pray it is a glorious, triumphant feast, for the Rosary is the weapon we must wield for victory. After the High Mass and the Blessing of Roses comes the Procession, and then the traditional “Communion Breakfast.”
I thought now might be a good time, since the times are so quickly changing, to go over the “old days,” our foundation years of the late Seventies and the Eighties at St. Gertrude the Great. It’s quite a story. I hope you can join us!
Time to crank up the Family Rosary, isn’t it? We’ll be praying the daily Rosary in church. Fr. Martin Gomez of Dos Rios, Veracruz, Mexico, tells me he prays a daily Rosary with his devout parishioners before the Blessed Sacrament Exposed. Often this year he offered this devotion for us here, and especially Fr. Cekada. See, we are surrounded and united with prayers. Be part of it.
But at least teach your children “the words,” and the best way to do that is to repeat them daily, to pray together. You won’t regret it!
May the Angels bless our children and guide their guides. That would be us.
–Bp. Dolan