Dear Family,
Today is the Solemnity of THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST. We grew up knowing this as the Feast of Corpus Christi.

Throughout the centuries there was always a procession associated with the feast. Our modest but heartfelt procession comes after the Vigil Mass on Saturday. We bless the four directions, to spread good NEWS, and we pray for what stretches out before us. Those special prayers are on the back of this week’s bulletin.

Perhaps you would consider stepping outside your front door and praying for your patch of our world. (You can do it in your living room, too. It’s probably a lot cooler.)

What is the point?

Dear Family,My good friend, Father David Russell, with whom I was stationed for many years of ministry, offered a bit of wisdom that I never quite so appreciated until now: “Except for Christmas decorations, if you haven’t used it in six months, throw it out!” Too late...

The process of packing is something I’m sure many of you have been through. Over the years, after seminary, I didn’t have to do it too often. But I guess that’s part of the problem; I didn’t need to “throw out” too often either.

On Friday, the 2nd (Happy Birthday, Pat) we heard a reading from the Book of Sirach. It was recalling godly people whose names and faces are forgotten, “

Yet these were godly men whose virtues have not been forgotten;
Their wealth remains in their families,
their heritage with their descendants;
...and for all time their progeny will endure, their glory will never be blotted out.” (Sir 44: 9-13)

Dear Family,
It sounds a little weird to say, “Happy Memorial Day” when there is no happiness over the fact that we are remembering many people who died in heart¬breaking wars. Still, our hearts can make room for all the other memories that those people gave us. We focus on the generosity we see in their service, and THAT’S something to be VERY grateful for and “happy” about.

Then the challenge is getting on with our lives which those service people made possible.

In the little booklet from Liturgical Press we gave you called “Rejoice and be Glad,” the writers made a point, on the May 23rd page, about how important it is to live in the “now.” To make the point, the writers went so far as to say there is no such thing as eternal life. Then they said, “Don’t worry.”

They continued that our lives are all about “Now.” Every moment is a “now,” and we are already living in eternity precisely because all our moments are “now.” How often have you heard me say that for God, everything is instant now?

Dear Family,
Praise the Lord. We did it. We are now $3,825.00 OVER our ABCD goal. Between what we have already received and what is pledged, our current total is $147,341. Your generosity empowers the outreach of the Archdiocese to fund various ministries as well as poorer parishes. Annie let me know with thie note below.

That’s one of the finest pieces of art I’ve seen in a long time!!! Let me add that one of the blessings you have given me over the years is always being ready to do your part in the finances of the parish.

And speaking of special things, I also received the following note from Marius Garbayo. He and Ava Gutierrez blessed our celebration at 11:00 last week when they made their First Communions. Jesus told me that spelling doesn’t count. See his not below also.

Some days get so good I feel guilty for taking a salary.