Bishop’s Note
Blessed Rosary Sunday to all of you! St. Francis de Sales said, “The greatest method praying is to pray the Rosary…Every Hail Mary is a gentle knock at the door of heaven, where the Blessed Mother herself answers, ready to shower us with graces. Those who persevere in this devotion will find themselves guided, protected, and consoled at every step of their earthly journey.” Travel the world over and it is always the same. Those who pray the Rosary are guided to the true Faith, and once there, are protected by the prayers of the Mother of God. Clutch to your beads and pray them daily!
My trip to the Philippines was a very fruitful one, thanks to your prayers. The flights, although very long, went without a hitch. Fr. Soliman is a former SSPX priest who was ordained by Bishop Fellay just over 25 years ago. His apostolate is relatively small, although he has over a hundred parishioners. Still, he takes very good care of his people and they are very devoted to him. There are over 7,600 islands that make up the Philippines, but there are three main ones. The first of his chapels is in Manila on the island of Luzon; the second chapel is in Davao City on the third main island, Mindanao. Mindanao was significantly warmer than Luzon as it is nearer to the equator. There were approximately 24 confirmations in Manila, and 27 in Davao City. Father coordinated everything perfectly. He even flew servers and schola to Davao City so that we could have a High Mass there. There are only two servers at the chapel, and they did an impeccable job, even managing to serve a High Mass with incense with just the two of them. The Schola consists of four men who chant beautifully.
What would this note be without a mention of cats? When Fr. Soliman and I were eating outside at Denny’s (yes, Denny’s exists down there), a cat came up and lay down on the seat beside me. It was a pretty little cat and must have belonged to someone living nearby because it was well kept. I only have two pictures from the trip but expect to receive more soon.
Bishop Sanborn was here two Sundays ago. One of his priests, Fr. Hennick, is with us today to give this year’s speech at the Confraternity Breakfast. We are looking forward to meeting him.
Later this week, Fr. Simpson and I will be going to Texas. I will first go to San Antonio to bless Fred Woods’ grave. Then Father and I will meet in Dallas for Confirmations on Sunday morning; then drive to Austin for Confirmations on Sunday evening. From there
he will go on to El Paso and I will make my way home. This is the penultimate trip of the year…the last being to Tijuana and Mexicali just before Thanksgiving. Please pray for our confirmands.
Fr. McKenna goes on a long mission trip to Milwaukee and the “northern missions” in upper Wisconsin and North Dakota this Friday. From there he will begin his long drive out to Seattle, where he will assist Fr. Ercoli at the seminary and continue working in the missions. I hope you will come to the going-away party this Tuesday evening! Details are posted in the hallway and in the bulletin. We will miss Father, but know that he will do good work “out west!”
Fr. Lehtoranta and Fr. Bruggemann will hold down the fort this weekend. Don’t forget the Bake Sale that takes place next Sunday, the feast of the Maternity of Our Lady.
– Bishop McGuire