The Bishop’s Note
It is a very blustery Friday morning as these lines are being written. The sun, which has been hiding for most of the winter, has been shining beautifully since yesterday and it is most welcome. Snow is being called for Sunday night into Monday afternoon. Please say a prayer that it does not interfere with the Epiphany Mass on Monday evening—it is one of the greatest feasts of the year, greater even than Christmas!
Last Monday was spent cleaning out Fr. Thielen’s house. Fathers Simpson and Brueggemann rented a U-Haul truck and drove it there. Fr. McKenna joined us a little later in the day and very cheerfully brought us some food and helped clear everything out. We nearly finished it all in a day. There is still a little more to take care of though.
It was Monday evening when a very longtime parishioner of ours, Kirby Bischel, died. His was a peaceful death and he was wearing his scapular and received conditional Extreme Unction and Apostolic Blessing. Kirby was a very devout and friendly soul who was often seen around church, attending the extra weekday Masses, reciting the Rosary, gardening, and just chatting. Fr. Lehtoranta and Bishop Nkamuke were very close to him, sometimes even traveling down to Florida or Kentucky with Kirby. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Say a prayer for his soul, or better yet, come to his funeral Mass this Wednesday! Say a prayer for his children and grandchildren as well. Surely, they could also use a prayer and an encouraging word.
Fr. McKenna has been doing a lot to help out this weekend, even volunteering to preach on Sunday. He goes to visit his folks this week and will be back again sometime the following week. Fr. Ercoli will be here until Tuesday, and Fr. Romero will come for a short visit on Monday.
I would like to wish you all a very blessed Christmas and Epiphany once more. May Our Infant Savior draw you to Himself!
– Bishop McGuire