This Week: Pentecost XVI

“God's Treatment of Injustice”  –Bp. Charles McGuire

The Bishop’s Note
Last Tuesday was the feast of the Nativity of Our Lady and it looked like we had a full house for the High Mass and birthday party. I only caught the tail end of the party as I was under the weather, like so many of you have been. In any event, it looked and sounded like Our Lady was truly honored on her birthday, and that is all that matters.

The shrine in honor of the Infant Mary was stunningly beautiful, I thought. The colors, the flowers, including the mums to be blessed, were all perfect! Even the butterflies looked like they fit right in. It seemed a lot like a cloister garden, but with Our Lady as the center of attention. The flower arrangements for the altar were also perfect for the feast. Job well done, Sisters!

Fr. Lehtoranta says that school has been going well. We have 32 students this year, only one less than last year. It is a good group of students that seems very enthusiastic. Sometimes, the children really surprise us with their thoughtful questions, as was the case this week. One of the middle school children asked Father during one of the classes, “How do you know if you have a right conscience or a scrupulous conscience?” Father and I were both very impressed by the question. It shows that the children really do want to learn. In my public school days, it was very clear that many of the kids were there to goof off rather than to learn. It seemed that only a few actually enjoyed learning, but that is what you get in any state-run education system. Here at St. Gertrude’s, the teachers strive to give the best of a classical Catholic education, and welcome any question from the students.

Fr. McKenna was here this week. More and more, it is getting to be like Bigfoot sightings where some people claim to have seen him but no one is really sure if he exists or not. In fairness, he was supposed to be home on Wednesday, but because I got sick he had to cover the funeral at St. Hugh’s. He is in Texas right now, but will be back tonight. Bring your binoculars and look carefully and you just might catch a rare sighting of the elusive Fr. McKenna!

Fr. Brueggemann went to Chillicothe to see Joseph Murphy this past Thursday. I am glad he keeps up with him. Joseph has been a much-loved part of our family here at St. Gertrude’s. Do you remember the letters he used to write? They were fantastic! Joseph does a lot of evangelizing in prison. I am sure that he will convert some souls through his prayers and by talking about the Faith. Certainly, many of you do not need a reminder, but please keep Joseph in your prayers.

Congratulations to Tyler and Elisabeth (Rabjohns) Wooden on their reception of the Sacrament of Matrimony yesterday. May Our Lady grant them a grace-filled life together and an eternity of happiness in heaven.

Don’t forget to come back tonight for our penultimate Fatima Rosary Procession. Also, don’t forget the parish picnic and Bishop Sanborn’s visit next Sunday!

– Bishop McGuire

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