The Bishop’s Note
It was nice to see the sun again this week. It is amazing what a difference the sun makes. Well, along with the sun, the skunks came out. Right after having written about Fr. McKenna’s showdown with the St. Gertrude skunk, I had a run in with the little critter. I was walking hurriedly across the bridge leading to the bishop’s garden, not looking where I was going, when out of the corner of my eye I saw black and white. At first I thought is was Black Cat, but no…it was the skunk, already prepared to spray if I did not back down. Un-like Fr. McKenna, I did not have a showdown but instead chose to give our smelly friend the right of way. He went under the bridge and I went around the bridge and we both had a happy day.
Fr. McKenna has been out on the missions and is due to come back this evening. He has been busy preparing for Confirmations in the different chapels. There will only be two Confirmations at St. Hugh of Lincoln this year, and one of them is coming down from Canada. A small class, but still quite worth the trip. I am looking forward to seeing everyone again. There should be a handful of confirmands in Park Falls and at St. Teresa of Avila Mission in Grand Forks. The same for Holy Face Mission in Effingham, Illinois. I am de-parting this Thursday to visit each of these missions and to give the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please pray for a safe trip and a fruitful apostolate. Before being consecrated, I used to travel to Milwaukee and the missions quite a lot, but I haven’t traveled as much over the last four years. I hope I haven’t been overenthusiastic in planning this trip. That is a lot of miles to drive!
Fr. Lehtoranta took one of the seminarians and a parishioner on an outing to Marion, Ohio, where they saw President Harding’s tomb and other historical sites. Father knows much more about the history of the United States than perhaps most Americans do. I am glad that he likes to share this knowledge with others.
The convento roof has been completed, or at least the worst part of it. The school roof is still being worked on at the time of this writing. We are hopeful that work on the corner of the church will begin this week. Plans for the rec-tory addition are moving along, too. Later this week, the last of our vacationers will have returned and teachers will come in for their beginning of the year meeting. It will be nice to return to a normal schedule and see the children once again. It has been a very busy summer.
Our Lady’s octave of the Assumption was a rela-tively quiet one. I pray that it has brought you closer to Our Lady. She plays such an important part in our redemption and must play a big part in the salvation of each one of us. Go to her for everything, Rosary in hand, and confidence in your heart. She is your Mother and you are her child. As long as you remain devoted to her all will be well. Queen assumed into Heaven, pray for us!
– Bishop McGuire