The Bishop’s Note
Several people have commented that the weather over the last two weeks has been cloudy and stormy. The Ohio weather is sometimes very oppressive and gloomy. Still, we must look at the bright side of things and be thankful that we are not experiencing forest fires as so many of our fellow Catholics near Spokane. Some lost their homes to the fire and now have to start over, while many others had to evacuate temporarily. Say a prayer for them.
Despite the weather, I am happy to be back home in time for the Fatima Rosary Procession and the Feast of the Assumption. The August 13th procession almost did not happen because of a line of storms moving in. The clouds looked foreboding at the scheduled time of the procession and I wondered whether we should go. Our Lady did not appear to the three seers of Fatima on August 13th because the children had been kid-napped by an apostate Catholic and Freemason and put on trial for two days. She appeared to them on August 19th instead. I began thinking that maybe Our Lady wasn’t going to allow the weather to hold out for the Rosary, so I joked that maybe we should move it to the 19th. Many of you were praying for good weather and so Fr. McKenna said that we should have confidence those prayers would be answered. So we went. Sprinkles came and were almost enough to shake one’s confidence. But the storm began breaking up right over West Chester and we were allowed to continue with only a light sprinkle for the first half of the Rosary. As with so many things, we just have to pray with confidence. God hears us!
Our vacation period is still here. Fr. Brueggemann came back from his and now Fr. Simp-son is away. Sister Ulrica gets back today, but Sisters Eulalia and Magdalen go away. Theresa is out of the office this week, but Miss Mikesell will be replacing her. Dr. Stanislowski was also away on vacation. Life here at St. Gertrude’s is so intense that these vacations are important. We aren’t angels, after all. Angels don’t get tired, burned out, or sick. We do, though! And it is important to give our bodies and minds a little rest from time to time to better serve God the rest of the year.
Fr. McKenna told of his run-ins with owls and skunks recently. They were quite entertaining stories—but I question the prudence of a standoff with a skunk!! Something like that only has two possible outcomes. It’s a roll of the dice or a flip of a coin. Thankfully, it all worked out…but still!
As you can see, the roofs are being redone. One of the ceilings in the convento gave way during a recent storm, so we are thankful that the roofers are here. They will be fixing the church roof as well. Soon enough, the corner of the school which was run into by a car earlier in the summer will be fixed up. However, the sanctuary floor will take some time. We are not sure yet how long it will take, but one man said it will take as long as three months to do. If he is correct, then we will not be able to start the project until next summer! All in God’s time. He is in charge.
Fr. Hector Romero, who helps Fr. Ercoli with our seminary, as well as their two parishes, must return to Argentina to proceed with getting his Green Card, thanks to some new law that President Trump enacted. The process could take anywhere from one to three years. This, of course, leaves Fr. Ercoli in a difficult situation. He cannot run a seminary and two chapels and a school very well all by himself. He has done so much for us that we cannot leave him without help. So, Fr. McKenna will take Fr. Romero’s place in Seattle for the time that he has to be gone. Honestly, it is a difficult decision, but it is for the greater good of the apostolate, and we are very happy to have the chance to help Fr. Ercoli. Besides, it makes the most sense to send Fr. McKenna since he is already on the road so much and can take care of the missions from Seattle. In fact, it might be a little easier to reach Dallas from there. You will still see Father around here from time to time when he visits us. This move should not affect St. Gertrude’s too much. I will keep you posted regarding the time of his departure. Fr. Romero has to leave the country at the end of October.
This week will be another quiet one, but we do have many great feasts to celebrate during this Octave of the Assumption. There is also the St. Monica Club meeting on Tuesday and the CMC meeting on Thursday. Don’t forget the Immaculate Heart on Saturday!
Stay close to Our Lady, pray her Rosary, imitate her virtues, and show your love for her. That is my advice for each and every one of you. She will com-fort you in life. She will lead you to heaven. Devotion to Our Lady is one of the greatest graces that Our Lord gives to a soul. Cultivate it every day!
– Bishop McGuire