This Week: Pentecost V

“Preaching to the Choir”  –Fr. Vili Lehtoranta

The Bishop’s Note
Last week started out on a good note with a full Sunday schedule. Fr. Lehtoranta once more gave a very good sermon, and performed the baptism for Joseph and Gabrielle Vines’ new baby, Henry Boniface. That is a very nice name! Fr. Benegas offered the High Mass for us, and even said the evening one. Two Masses in one day is a bit of a break for Father as he usually offers three, and sometimes four Masses, on a Sunday. Father will be staying with us a little longer than originally planned. He was supposed to depart this past Tues-day, but will be staying until early this week.

Monday was a bit of a recovery day for the clergy and sisters, although there is never truly a “day off.” The clergy have been either been traveling or taking on some extra work over the last week or more, while the Sisters were busy with camp and their normal duties. A little respite was needed by all. Tuesday, however, was all hustle and bustle as everyone prepared for St. Anthony Devotions, a Solemn High Mass, and the parish bonfire. I did all that I possibly could to arrange the priests’ retreat so that I could be here for the bonfire, but ended up missing it and the Mass anyway. Susan Ackley was in the hospital with cancer and other maladies, so I decided she had better be anointed that night instead of the next day. When I came back you all were about to wrap things up. The kids were making S’mores, while Sr. Ulrica was doing my old job of passing out marshmallows to the kids. When their little bellies got sufficiently full we prayed the Rosary—a beautiful ending to a parish family event!

The Sisters and some Simpsons were kind enough to come back in on Wednesday evening to sing High Mass for the Nativity of St. John the Baptist and the Requiem Mass for the Purgatorial Society on Thursday morning. It has been a little difficult to find servers for the 11:25 Masses this summer, so if you are able to volunteer for one or two, that would be most helpful. I know that you already do so much. Perhaps some of the mothers can work it out amongst themselves and then let Sr. Eulalia know what you come up with. We are thankful for the dedicated work of our choir members and servers!

Tomorrow is the feast of Saints Peter and Paul and the anniversary of many of the clergy with whom we associate. It would have been Bishop Dolan’s 50th anniversary and Fr. Cekada’s 49th. Remember to pray for the repose of their souls on that day. It is a duty incumbent upon us since they them-selves did so much for us over the years. May the good God reward them with eternal bliss for all of their apostolic labors! We plan to have a semi-Pontifical High Mass in the evening and hope that you can come!

Fr. McKenna returns from his vacation this week. He has been away a long time, it seems. I find it funny that someone as sanguine as him enjoys vacationing alone, but he does. And he doesn’t mind not staying in touch while he is away. I often wonder if he got lost in a forest or eaten by a bear. But he did call on Thursday and I have to give him credit for usually responding when we try to reach him! It is vacation after all! Hope-fully, he enjoyed it and is ready to come back tomorrow.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Allen on the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in their home. May He be King of their home and their family. Little Melita, who is 3 years old, was delighted when it started raining. We all know someone who really likes rainy weather, but Melita’s excitement was different. She was truly delighted when it rained. Her parents explained that this was because they used to live in desert country and saw rain only once a year. That explains it! We should all be grateful to God for whatever weather He sends us. If it suits our taste, fine; but if not, God knows what He is doing. Anyway, back to the Enthronement! Have you had the Sacred Heart enthroned in your home? If not, you really should get it done. So many graces come from this practice.

Bishop Nkamuke and Fr. Okerulu have quite the project lined up for Nigeria. They are working on building a school. It is getting more and more dangerous for travel over there. So they are hoping to buy a couple of buses to lessen the risk of the children being kidnapped. His Excellency is also rearranging the location of his priests so that there is less travel and so that the people are not cut off from the priests. This is a prudent idea and requires a lot of organization. If you wish to contribute to them, please send a check (or you can donate online) made out to “St. Gertrude the Great Bishop’s Apostolate” and send it to SGG.

I wish you all a blessed month of the Precious Blood which begins this Wednesday. So many great feasts this week. So many Masses to choose from (or just come to all of them!).

– Bishop McGuire

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