Immaculate Heart of Mary
✠ The Bishop’s Corner ✠
It was supposed to storm last Friday the 13th, so we canceled the procession. But it was a typical August ploy. Still, heat and humidity were extreme, and a quiet Rosary in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament was restorative. Finally, the original August 13th apparition was itself cancelled, you know, when local Communist authorities, with the unwitting collusion of the Church, kidnapped the children. Our Lady came anyway, and was sweetly looking for them, but patiently eturned on the 19th. Pray and make sacrifices for sinners.
Friday’s St. Bernard of Clairvaux said that we cannot make reparation if our lives are not pleasing. Thus the timeliness, the urgency, of the Fatima message, underlined by today’s feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary: The Rosary, the Scapular, and Christian life, the duties of your state in life, First Saturdays.
But the Holy Day was so beautiful: An excellent attendance all day long, the solemn stately Pontifical so well sung, the children and the blessed herbs and flowers. Thanks to all who worked so hard.
Yvonne Kramer died on Monday. This devout and so generous woman raised a large family and was also always at church, working and praying, often with a baby on her arm. A kind, humble and positive soul, her deep faith led her to do so much for our church in its first years. Along with her old friend, Paulina Strauss, whose anniversary is September 3rd, she did far more to bring the Mass back to Cincinnati than people knew or now remember. May she rest in peace.
Our seminarians continue their serious studies this summer under Fr. Nkamuke (who is training his own seminarians, as well), and are such a help at church, even as they learn the practical side of the priestly life. Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare for the great step of the Subdiaconate on Saturday, September 18th.
Rest now, for we have a big month of September on offer. The regular All Night Adoration opens our Labor Day/St. Joseph weekend. School opens on Wednesday the 8th, with birthday celebrations for the Blessed Mother. All are welcome to the Mass and party. Our little school anticipates what is for us “a record attendance.”
Fr. Cekada’s first anniversary of death on Saturday, September 11th, will be marked with a Solemn Requiem at 8:30 AM. After refreshments we will visit his grave for a Rosary. The next day is our annual parish picnic. I hope you can be with us.
Many visitors have been with us these Summer Sundays. I hope they feel welcome, and will stay. Oh, don’t forget the September Tea Party meeting on First Tuesday evening at 7:00. This gathering is serving more and more as a useful clearing house of information. Eyes are being opened, slowly, and standard politics are being left behind.
May the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady of the Scapular know you for one of her own, bless you and keep you.
– Bishop Dolan