The Bishop’s Note
Today we begin the Chair of Unity Octave and pray for that true unity which Our Lord asked His Heavenly Father for when He said, “That they all may be one, as Thou, Father in Me, and I in Thee…” The world today has a false notion of unity, which is nothing more than ecumenism. These people desire that somehow falsehood should exist simultaneously with truth, that heresy should coexist with the true Faith, that Christ should coexist with antichrist. But this cannot be. Christ did not come from Heaven to earth to establish a Church to which membership is optional, or whose teachings could change with the times. Christ established a Church which will last until the end of time, a Church whose doctrines will not change with the times, and to which all who wish for salvation must belong. Therefore, the Church is praying that those who are outside the Catholic Church give up their heresy, schism, and error and convert to the Catholic Faith, which is the only path that leads souls to heaven. Pray very fervently for this, my dear parishioners!
Fr. McKenna went home to visit his parents for a day or two last week before heading to Dallas for weekend Masses. Our chapel in Dallas (St. Anthony’s) has grown quite a bit over the years and now gets two Sunday Masses every week. Our Lady of Sorrows Mission in Austin has recently seen some growth. I believe the number I heard was around forty souls! There is always something to be thankful for, isn’t there?! Fr. Lehtoranta visited Fr. Brueggemann’s home last week to see their historic Christmas tree. I hear that it has quite the history and is rather a lovely tree! Fr. Brueggemann is finally back from the seminary, but Fr. Simpson is away for the entire week visiting the northern missions.
Bishop Selway’s parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this coming weekend. I will be going there for the occasion. They have always been most kind to me over the years since I was in the semi-nary, just a few years behind their son. 50 years of married life is quite an accomplishment and should be celebrated with the greatest solemnity in these days when the family is so furiously attacked on all sides.
Christmas isn’t over yet. Officially, it is Christmas season until the feast of the Purification, though Septuagesima falls on the preceding Sunday this year. Stay near Christ’s manger and adore the Holy Child Who came to save our fallen race. Jesus, Jesus, be to me Jesus!
– Bishop McGuire