Dear Parishioners:
OLM Student Adam Hayes picks a See You In September Raffle Winner!
We thank the many OLM parishioners and friends of OLM School. They were so generous in supporting the See You in September Raffle. We sold all 600 tickets and raised $50,000 to help our school continue its vital mission. The winners of the raffle appear in this week's bulletin. We congratulate them. But the real winners are the young saints and scholars of our outstanding parish school who benefit from your generosity.
Of course, the raffle wasn't the only way we marked our parish feast last week. On Monday, we had Mercy Devotions with an outstanding homily on Mercy from Dominican Friar, Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP from the PC Priory. We also had a solemn and joyful Feast Day Mass celebrated by Bishop Evans on Thursday. It was a great week honoring our parish patroness and seeking her powerful intercession.
We continue seeking the powerful intercession of our Mother Mary throughout October. Each Monday night this month at 7:00 pm, we gather for Eucharistic Adoration and the Rosary. A great way to seek the Mother of Mercy's help and guidance as we meditate on the mysteries of our Lord. "The Rosary is the 'weapon' for these times," said St. Padre Pio.
These many years later, his words remain true. The Rosary is the weapon of our times, for we live in a time of turbulent conflict, confusion, and crisis in our world. We are still suffering from the COVID 19 Pandemic. It has sadly taken two hundred thousand of our brothers and sisters. Many people still suffer from sickness and isolation, poverty, and unemployment. Almost nightly, we witness the streets of our nation's cities full of protests, at times turning violent. Political debate in this election season has become bitter and nasty, divisive and contentious.
““The Rosary is the ‘weapon’ for these times,” said St. Padre Pio.”
Now is the time for us as Catholics to take up more prayer, not less. It is time to seek Our Lady's help by praying the Holy Rosary. For indeed, it is the best weapon of our times. A weapon of harmony and peace, unity and charity, faith and hope. A weapon sorely needed in a time of conflict and division. Make the time this October to pray for our world and nation, our Church, and parish at Monday Devotions. Kneel before the Eucharistic Lord asking Our Lady of Mercy, Queen of Peace, to lead us ever closer to the Sacred Heart of her son.
If you cannot make Monday Devotions, please be sure to pick up your Rosary and pray at home, in the car, or even at work. Make time in your busy day to pray with the beads resting on your night table, tucked away in a drawer, hanging on your car mirror, or hidden in your pocket. Turn to our Blessed Mother and ask her help and seek her intercession.
St. Padre Pio explains: "Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray the Rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother."
This weekend we happily resume the 9:00 am Sunday Mass and Saturday Confessions at 4:00 pm. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Also, I ask that you continue your kind cooperation with the COVID 19 guidelines: Please wear a mask, keep a social distance, and wash your hands frequently. We ask that you depart Church promptly after Mass for its sanitizing before the next Mass.
I offer my gratitude and thanks to our dedicated maintenance staff. They work hard to keep the school and church buildings safe and sanitized. They continue their regular maintenance duties of caring for the parish plant. So stop and say thanks when you see them!
Confirmation Mass is Sunday, October 25th, at 5:00 pm with Bishop Matano of Rochester, NY. Please pray for the Confirmation candidates as they make their final preparation for the Sacrament. May they grow in faith and love, grace, and holiness. As St. Therese of Lisieux teaches: "Holiness consists simply in doing God's will, and being just what God wants us to be."
It's October so pray the Holy Rosary! Stay safe. Be Well. Do Good! God Bless. Go Pats!!!! See you on Monday at Devotions!