Bishop’s Note
Last week’s All Saints’ Day party was one of the most highly attended I can remember, and the costumes were fantastic. The best part was listening to the children tell us about the saints. That is, of course, what it is all about, is it not?! Bishop Dolan was always careful to teach the children—and adults—about the glorious history of the saints, and he gave such edifying sermons on the subject.His knowledge of them was immense. I hope the young people at St. Gertrude’s learn to appreciate and imitate the saints.
The Rosary Procession at St. Stephen’s Cemetery was cancelled due to rainy weather. It would have been hard to keep all the kids dry and we didn’t want to send them home soaking wet uniforms. So we will reschedule for another time—perhaps next week, if the school schedule permits.
The seminarians got the day off for the feast of St. Charles Borromeo, who is the patron of seminarians and the namesake of our seminary. Rumor has it that they all went to the park and that Fr. McKenna barbecued for them! The seminarians all seem to get along just fine and are doing well academically. I do not have any news about the seminary right now, but I will hopefully have some more to give you soon.
The rectory project is still moving along. Right now, we are working with the zoning department in West Chester and will then need to go through the county for other approvals. I do not anticipate that this will take too long, but one never knows. Say a prayer that things keep moving along so that the priests can live in common at the rectory as they ought; and so that the Sisters can move into the Convento and be near the church. This will make life easier for everyone.
This week, how about an extra Mass or an extra Rosary for the Poor Souls? They can use our help! How great it will be for them to finally get to heaven. Then again, how great it will be for us to have such great benefactors once they get to the throne of God where they will pray for us.
– Bishop McGuire