Big Weekend

Friday, May 23, was the anniversary of the death of Fr Emil Kapaun in 1951.

He died in a pow camp in Korea. He was a priest from our diocese who gave his life caring for his fellow soldiers.

Friday was also my 10th anniversary of priesthood. Time flies when you are having fun.

Please pray for me to have the courage to give myself more fully to God.

Friday evening we celebrated the ordination of Ben Sawyer as a deacon.

Saturday, this morning, we celebrated the ordination of three men to the priesthood.

Adam Keiter

Aaron Spexarth

Michael Linnebur

They will be good priests. We should all pray for them.

Sunday is the Feast of Corpus Christi. This is a special Sunday set aside to grow in our love for the Eucharist. We will have a procession after the 10:00 mass.

Corpus Christi

This Sunday is the feast of Corpus Christi. We will have a procession after the 10:00 Mass.
Here is a little refresher of things you should know.

Who can receive Holy Communion?
Baptized members of the Catholic Church
Those who have reached the age of reason and are able to know the difference between ordinary bread and the Eucharist
Those who are in a state of grace – a person who is aware of having committed a mortal sin should not receive Holy Communion
A person must fast from food and drink for one hour before receiving Holy Communion

Gift of Counsel

Here is a link to an article on the Gift of the Holy Spirit known as "counsel."

http://www.cornellsociety.org/2008/05/the-gift-of-counsel/

"One filled with joy preaches without preaching." -- Blessed Mother Teresa

Ordinary Time

Pentecost is the last day of the Easter Season.
Today we return to ordinary time.
I have been away from the computer for a few days. I finally moved over to the parish office. I am on Elaine's computer, since I haven't got mine hooked up to the internet yet. I won't be able to return any e-mail for a few days.

Pentecost

Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Wisdom
Understanding
Knowledge
Counsel
Piety
Fear of the Lord
Fortitude

Pentecost

This coming Sunday is the feast of the Pentecost.
Easter lasts for 50 days. It concludes with the Holy Spirit descending on the apostles.
We will have a Holy Hour on Sunday from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.
Come and spend an hour with Jesus.

The Ascension

Daily Bread

Here are a few things you can do to grow in your faith.
1. Scripture
2. Catechism
3. lives of the saints
4. Communion more than once a week
5. confession once a month

Lessons to learn from the saints.

1. Saints are presented to us by Holy Mother Church for “the two I’s”: imitation and intercession.
2. As all Christians are called to imitate Christ, we also must experience self-emptying and the Cross, abandonment to providence and self-donation. We must be willing to lose everything.
3. We are not alone: the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant are closely knit, interwoven in charity. We on earth must intercede for each other and believe and ask for the intercession of the saints.
4. God makes use of the weak to demonstrate His might and love.
If we do not believe in miracles, we do not ask for them. If we do not ask for them, they will not be granted.
5. Our life of faith is noticed by non-believers and they are not unaffected.
6. How often do you invoke the help of the saints and holy angels?
7. God’s ways are not our ways.
8. No one is too small to be an occasion of grace for others.

Saints

This week is a good one to reflect on the lives of the saints.
Tuesday was St. Catherine of Sienna. She was one of 23 children born to one woman. She had many mystical experiences and was famous for her ability to make peace between those who were fighting.
Wednesday was St. Pius V. He was pope in the 1560's. He implemented the reforms of the council of Trent. Before him there were many popes who were very worldly and even some who led lives of debauchery. From the time of Pius to the present all of the popes have given good example in their personal moral life, even if they haven't all been the best of leaders.
April 28 was the anniversary of the death of St. Gianna Molla. She died in 1963. Got to this link to find our more about her.
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20040516_beretta-molla_en.html
St. Padre Pio has been in the news because his body has been exhumed and found to be incorrupt. Go to this link to see pictures. Quite Amazing!
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,352408,00.html