This Week: Solemnity of Corpus Christi

“Always Do the Right Thing”  –Fr. Vili Lehtoranta

The Bishop’s Note
Blessed Solemnity of Corpus Christi!

Today has been a truly glorious day, filled with Masses offered before the exposed Blessed Sacrament, a procession, two Benedictions, and First Holy Communions. Later today, we will conclude with Vespers before the Blessed Sacrament and a third Benediction. It is truly a wonder how the heart of any Catholic could remain cold or indifferent when surrounded by such beautiful ceremonies and precious graces. The Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament will set our hearts ablaze if only we spend time with Him and beg Him to enkindle the fires of His love within us. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I implore that I may ever love Thee more and more!

Our students at SGG Academy finished their final exams during one of the busiest weeks of the year as we had two funerals, the feast of Corpus Christi, and First Friday, but with a little imagination on the part of the teachers they were able to get everything done. Congratulations to both teachers and students for another good year! The children went home for the summer and are looking forward to family vacations and time at home, but I hope that their parents will bring them to at least one extra Mass and Holy Communion per week. Academic training may have ended, but the training of the soul never takes a break—not in this life. We will miss the children, but hope they enjoy their much-needed break.

This week, we have Mass before the Blessed Sacrament exposed every day of the Octave. Look at the bulletin and plan accordingly. Friday is the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus—an important one here at St. Gertrude’s especially since St. Gertrude herself was so devoted to the Sacred Heart. She was known as the theologian of the Sacred Heart because so much was revealed to her about it even before the apparitions to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque ever occurred. Saturday is the feast of St. Anthony and the Blessing of Lilies. It is also the 13th of the month, which means that we have our much-loved Fatima Rosary procession in the morning. I hope you can join us. May’s procession attendance was a little lighter than usual, so I pray this one attracts more parishioners. We need processions in honor of Our Lady. They have always accomplished much good in the world.

I am going away this Saturday (after the procession, of course) to preach a spiritual retreat to our seminarians and some priests. Please say some prayers for a successful retreat. Chris Brueggemann will be receiving clerical Tonsure, and Poncho Capetillo and Josh Balancio will be receiving the first two minor orders. Fr. Brueggemann will be joining me in Seattle while Fr. McKenna goes away for a well-deserved summer vacation and Fathers Lehtoranta and Simpson mind the fort, and the Sisters gear up for this year’s girls’ camp. I will be back next Friday, in time to perform the wedding of David Wessel and Jane Lotarski on the following day. Busy days!

In the missions, Fr. Valerii thanks everyone for the Mass intentions. He mentioned in an email that the Irish government announced some changes for Ukrainians in Ireland. I hope they are not too bad. Father has had many a cross these last few years, especially since having to flee Ukraine due to all the wars. Bishop Nkamuke finally got a new car. Well, actually, it is a used car from America, but it is a good car from which he will get much use.

Much work was completed last week. The flat roofs were repaired so that, hopefully, we will have no more leaks in the vestibule or bookstore. The rest of the roof will be re-placed sometime closer to July. The convento siding has been finished, and looks quite nice! Joseph Simpson did very great work in the cloister, raising the bricks to the height of the cloister floor and leveling everything out. Still, there is much work to be done. I am very grateful to Fr. Simpson for all of his assistance!

There is always more news to share, but that is all for now. Remember the Corpus Christi octave this week, and try to make an extra Mass or two, as well as a Visit to the Blessed Sacrament.

– Bishop McGuire

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