The Bishop’s Note
It is a beautifully sunny Friday morning, the feast of St. Anthony, as this is being written, and we are eagerly awaiting our second of this year’s Fatima Rosary Procession. Of course, the weather is predicting rain and thunderstorms beginning at 5pm. Last month, they predicted the same and we watched as the storm broke up just before it reached West Chester. Bishop Dolan always prayed for good weather for these events and was usually heard, many times against all odds. His go-to was the Holy Child Jesus. So, we are praying again for good weather and are hopeful that the Good God will answer our prayers so that we can honor Our Lady and pray for the graces that this world so desperately needs.
Pentecost weekend was a delightful one, so very encouraging, as fifteen new confirmands were made Soldiers of Christ. The ceremonies were excellently performed by both choir and servers. There was the mitre incident at the sermon though…and the work sacristy trashcan that caught on fire just before the 11:30 Mass. Thankfully, one of our servers walked in and saw it or I’m not sure what would have happened. Fr. Cekada was always very cautious about votive lights and things that might start fires in church, as I remember. It was rather entertaining sometimes! But he was right. I remember my mother telling me how her childhood church, St. Peter’s in Chillicothe, burned down because of a votive candle. When they rebuilt, they did so in a more modern 1950s style that is not so very impressive. Well, God took care of things for us, and as Fr. Cekada always said, “All’s well that ends.” (That’s not a typo, either!)
Today is graduation day for our school. Matthew Schneider finished his 8th grade year and will be moving on to High School. We are very happy with his efforts in all subjects and most especially at the altar. Joseph Lodrini has graduated High School. We are very proud of this young man. The clergy and teachers have appreciated his hard work and the respect he shows inside and outside of the classroom. As he begins this new phase of his life, I am hopeful that he will always remember that he has a home and a family who cares about him right here at St. Gertrude’s. After today, the school faculty and students officially begin their break, and I pray that it is a beneficial one.
Corpus Christi is this Thursday, don’t forget! Adoration begins after the 8:00 Mass and lasts for most of the day. The Office will be chanted and a Solemn High Mass offered. These are the two most powerful prayers. In fact, the Divine Office is an extension of the Mass, and so is even more powerful than the Rosary. Most people do not realize that. I think this is the reason why there are not many people who come to Vespers on Sunday. Not only is it the second most powerful prayer, but it is also the greatest way to honor God after the Holy Mass. The Divine Office is filled with prayers from heaven, and by this I mean the Psalms, which were inspired by the Holy Ghost Himself. We are saying to God the very words that He has written and told us to say to Him. How can this prayer not be so very pleasing to Him and helpful to us!? There is also the devotional part of the day that is so consoling, though. Think of it! We are invited by Our Lord to come and sit in His presence and to ask Him whatever we want, and to speak to Him heart to heart. “Come to Me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you.”
– Bishop McGuire