Dear Parishioners:
We had a glorious celebration of Confirmation last Sunday night. Ninety-nine of our OLM young adults received the gifts of the Holy Spirit and confirmed their Catholic Faith. Their names are listed in this week’s bulletin, please be sure to pray for them. In the coming weeks we will be reaching out to them and inviting them to put their faith and their talent to work for our parish and for their Church.
At a Confirmation Mass a number of years ago, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI reminded the candidates of their call to serve. He stated: “Each and every Christian has received a gift meant for building up the Body of Christ. The Church especially needs the gifts of young people, all young people. She needs to grow in the power of the Spirit who even now gives joy to your youth and inspires you to serve the Lord with gladness. Open your hearts to that power! Do not be afraid to say ‘yes’ to Jesus, to find your joy in doing his will, giving yourself completely to the pursuit of holiness, and using all your talents in the service of others!”
I thank Bishop John Noonan of Orlando who traveled up from Florida to celebrate the Confirmation Mass. He is an old friend I first met when he was serving as Rector of the Seminary in Miami. It was good to have him here and he truly enjoyed his time with us at OLM. We must also thank the parents and families of these newly confirmed young adults. They first made the promise to raise them in the faith many years ago at their child’s baptism. We are grateful they continue to bring their children to Christ and live their Catholic Faith. The fruits of their commitment to the faith were on display at the Confirmation Mass last week.
We are very grateful to the Confirmation teachers and all those who helped make the Mass and reception such a joyful event. In particular, we thank Doug Green, the Director of the Confirmation Program, who works so hard in ensuring a wonderful celebration. We must also thank our OLM Music Director, Henri St. Louis, and the OLM Choir for the beautiful music at the Confirmation Mass. It was solemn and joyful and truly helped to raise up our worship and praise to God.
We continue to mark the month of October by taking up the Holy Rosary. Each Monday we gather as a parish family before the Eucharistic Lord to pray the Rosary. Last Monday Dominican Friar, Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, offered a profound reflection on the Rosary. As we continue to turn to our Blessed Mother praying the Rosary, I invite you to consider joining us. IF you’ve never been to October Devotions,, you will find it a prayerful and peaceful time away from the noise and distractions of the world. I encourage you turn off the TV, the phone, the computer and take up your beads! Come to October Devotions and pray and gain renewal and peace in your life as we turn to Jesus Christ through his Mother Mary!
St. Padre Pio, reminds us of the importance of praying the Rosary in our daily lives: “Go to the Madonna. Love her! Always say the Rosary. Say it well. Say it as often as you can! Be souls of prayer. Never tire of praying, it is what is essential. Prayer shakes the Heart of God, it obtains necessary graces!” The Holy Rosary can slow us down, calm our hearts, and enable us to rest in God’s presence. It draws out the deepest desires of our souls, desires for God and God alone. The repeated prayers in the Rosary help us meditate on Christ’s centrality in our lives. Such a prayerful time leads us to gain a new perspective and some peace amidst the hectic pace of our daily lives.
This Monday at 7:00PM, Dominican Friar, Father Albert Duggan, OP, the Brown University Chaplain, will lead our October Devotions. He will give a reflection on the Rosary entitled, “Telling the Beads.” I’m sure it will be a peaceful and perfect ending to the Columbus Day Holiday. So join us this Monday for October Devotions at 7:00PM.
The Our Future, Our Faith Capital Campaign Receptions are underway. I hope every parish family is able to attend one and learn about this critical campaign for the future of our parish family. Be well. Do good. God Bless. Go Pats! Oremus pro invicem! See you at Devotions on Monday!!