Bishop’s Note
Today, Fathers McKenna, Lehtoranta and I are covering the Masses at home while Fr. Brueggemann is out on the missions for the weekend. Fr. Simpson is at St. Anthony’s Mission in Dallas where the Sacrament of Confirmation will be given the following Sunday. St. Anthony’s has grown exponentially since their move from a rented office space to a small chapel. Now they require two Masses on Sunday to accommodate everyone. I am anxious to see everyone down there.
The Boys Camp started off well last Tuesday morning with Fathers Simpson and Brueggemann leading it. A number of boys (42 in all) were in attendance, some coming from Wisconsin. It was nice to see Fr. Lehtoranta joining them for supper! This year, the Fathers added Compline, the Church’s official night prayer, to the schedule. I’m glad they thought of that, since this form of prayer is the best and most powerful after the Holy Mass. I hope this will stir up some enthusiasm for liturgical prayer in our young people. Who knows, maybe they will start coming back for Sunday Vespers. That would be most edifying, and would certainly be a good way to keep holy the Lord’s Day!
Fr. Lehtoranta has begun once more to give a weekly conference to the Oblates and will be giving them a three-day spiritual retreat at the beginning of August. The Oblates have so much work to do that it is necessary that they get a chance to hear extra spiritual talks to help them to keep their focus on the things that matter most—the eternal interests of their immortal souls.
Can you believe that August starts this week?! What beautiful feasts occur during this month which belongs to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart! Right away, we begin with that of St. Peter’s Chains—a First Class feast here in Cincinnati—and the Holy Machabees. It’s also the First Thursday of the month, which means it’s time to pray especially for priests and for vocations to the priesthood. By the way, poor Mexico sorely needs priests, good priests! Please pray for that intention. Instead of the Holy Hour for priests, we will be having a special High Mass. The Knights of the Sacred Heart are encouraged to come.
St. Alphonsus, the saintly author of the Glories of Mary, The Victories of the Martyrs, The Dignity and Duties of the Priest, and so many other wonderful books, including a treatise on moral theology, is honored on First Friday. In all, he wrote 60 volumes in 35 years. One wonders how he accomplished so many things. He truly kept the vow he made to never waste a moment of time. If you struggle to get things accomplished—he’s your saint! First Saturday comes on the feast of the Finding of St. Stephen, and St. Dominic is commemorated on the Sunday. The feasts of the saints we love just keep coming this month. As you can see, there are many “excuses” ☺ to come to an extra Mass during the week! I hope you take advantage of them.
– Bishop McGuire