The Bishop’s Note
Despite everything going on, it is always a struggle to find things to write about. Perhaps it is more accurate to say that, in my case, it is always a struggle to remember what there is to write about! I am always tempted to go back to how it used to be when Bishop Dolan called it the “Bishop’s Corner” for a reason. He used to write just a couple of very short paragraphs, only big enough to take one tiny corner of the bulletin. Eventually, it morphed into a whole page! He always had many edifying and interesting things to say. In my case, I often don’t know what I would do without pictures!
Fr. Simpson is making some real progress with the sanctuary floor. Some men came out this week to look at it and said they can fix it. There is some concern that shifting might be occurring—hopefully not—due to cracks on the back wall. They will let us know what they think and I will keep you posted. The big hole in the wall of the convento will be repaired soon. We have decided to repair the hole with stucco, which is much cheaper— and is really all that is necessary, we think.
The Sisters returned to their home Monday night to find that the heavy rains caused some flooding in their living room and basement. Repairs were made. Their oven had some problems last week and so they were cooking a lot of their meals in the social hall. It sure smelled good, but it couldn’t have been convenient for the Sisters. Well, the oven is fixed now, too.
This week, Fr. Arnoldo Villegas will visit us from his church in Tijuana, Mexico. I have always been impressed with his apostolate. He once ran a minor seminary, but had to give it up to focus more on his parish and missions. Now, he does a lot of work catechizing the young people. I think his is a very young and thriving parish, despite its location in Tijuana, which is very dangerous due to the drug trafficking that goes on there. Father doesn’t know much English, so he will bring a young man to translate for us. Do come and greet Father if you happen to see him!
As mentioned in the last bulletin, the school children are going on a field trip this week. The place is called Carillon Historical Park. It looks quite interesting based on what it says online. You can look it up if you’re interested. The children and teachers really do deserve an outing like this. I can remember getting antsy to-wards the end of a school year and appreciating any extra recess or field trip that came along. But now that I am older, I am rather sad to see the children leave for the summer.
This month is the month of anniversaries. Last
Sunday marked four years since the death of Bishop Dolan—the beginning of so many changes around our church. Friday was the third anniversary of Bishop Nkamuke’s episcopal consecration. His apostolate in Nigeria has grown exponentially and he now has as many priests as we have here. I wonder if anyone thought the missions would have ever grown as they have! Quite a change from the days when Bishop Nkamuke and co. were just converting from the Novus Ordo and had only Fr. Leslie to take care of them. Now they have a bishop, four priests, religious, and many Faithful! One week from tomorrow is the fourth anniversary of the ordinations of Fathers Ojeka, Okerulu, Simpson, and Brueggemann—the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, as Bishop Dolan used to jokingly call them. Two weeks from tomorrow is four years since my own episcopal consecration. As I recall, we also have quite a few May wedding anniversaries.
May is also Mary’s month. I hope you remembered to set up your May Altar at home. Decorate it with flowers and candles if you have them. The important thing, however, is to gather around Our Lady with love. Try to get the family together and offer some extra prayers in Our Lady’s honor each day of the month. The Rosary and Litany of Loretto, or the Memorare, or read some chapters from the Glories of Mary. Our Lady never lets herself be outdone in generosity. The more you honor her, the more she will shower her graces on you and your loved ones. What would we be without Our Lady?! It is through her hands, after all, that all graces pass. May she be a Mother to you, and may you be a good child to her. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation!
– Bishop McGuire