Note from the Bishop
Last weekend, that of Rosary Sunday, brought us a little bit of everything. It was encouraging to see so many people working so hard and so enthusiastically to put things together. I recollect that one of our Nigerian Fathers (I think it was Fr. Okerulu) was always impressed by the family-like atmosphere that exists here at St. Gertrude’s. That quality showed itself clearly on Rosary Sunday as we had a final headcount of 145 people at the Confraternity Breakfast. Fr. Lehtoranta gave a nice speech about all the activities that go on at the church. It really is a busy place, as it should be.
We had a few mishaps while getting ready for the weekend as we were moving statues around in church. First, one of our small decorative pillars was knocked over and broken. Then, I had my own clumsy day as I managed to break the arm on our Guardian Angel statue and a picture of St. Jerome. No, I am not an Iconoclast, just had a clumsy day. Thanks to the Arlinghaus family for fixing up the angel’s arm so quickly and so well. Someone pointed out that things worked out for the better. The angel’s arm looks even better than it did before and we have a much nicer St. Jerome picture to replace the old one. The Good God always does know how to bring about a greater good from events we see as disasters. It was a good reminder of this great truth.
You’ve all heard so much talk about the problems in Ukraine and Russia as of late, I’m sure. “Wars and rumors of wars” abound. It was all prophesied, after all. Someone suggested another Rosary Novena for Peace. A great idea, indeed! After all, October is the month of the Holy Rosary, and history has shown how powerful this devotion is against all evil both spiritual and temporal. I hope you come to the candlelight Fatima Rosary Procession this Thursday evening. We all want peace, but do you want it badly enough that you would be willing to give up an evening to come and pray for it? Read what Sr. Lucia said: “The Most Holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary, to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or above all spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families…that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.” Let’s start the novena on Wednesday, October 11th, the feast of Our Lady’s Maternity!
Frs. Lehtoranta and Brueggemann man the fort this weekend as Fr. McKenna and I fly up to Boston for Confirmations at his home chapel, Sacred Heart Church. Fr. Simpson will again be traveling, this time to Milwaukee. We like to keep our priests busy!
– Bishop McGuire