OLM School Parent Adam Coutu takes a shot a hole in one for a new car!
Dear Parishioners:
What a great day at our Saints and Scholars Open Golf Tournament last Monday! We saw one hundred thirty-two golfers play on a beautiful day at Quidnessett Country Club. It was a fun day of golf in support of our parish school. We thank all our golfers and all our volunteers who helped to make it a great day. The weather was beautiful, and the golfers were in fine form. There were school parents, parishioners, and many friends of OLM on the course. Unfortunately, however, Father Mahoney's foursome didn't win the day! Better luck next year!
We are grateful to Mrs. Lee Mita, the driving force behind this great day of golf, and support for our budding saints and scholars. We also wish to publicly thank our many generous sponsors of the tournament, most especially Washington Trust Bank, the Murphy Family of RI Home Loan Investment Bank, and the Rutherford Family of Ocean State Signal. We are looking forward to the Saints and Scholars Open next September! The golf tournament was a great kickoff to our celebration of Our Lady of Mercy Feast Week.
As I write this column, we anticipate a week of Faith and fun for our parish family. A Holy Hour of Mercy, an Act of Mercy, a Solemn Feast Day Mass, and then our always fun Oktoberfest on Friday night. I am hoping and praying for fine weather!
Of course, none of these events takes place without the tremendous help of our parish volunteers and parish staff. We thank the many people behind the scenes who generously give their time and talent in service to our parish. Also, I am grateful to our dedicated parish staff, who always provide their all in service to the parish.
There is much to celebrate this Feast Week despite the trials and tribulations of the world. First and foremost, the great gift of our Catholic Faith we share as a parish community. Where would we be now if we didn't have our Faith to turn to during this awful pandemic? It wasn't that long ago we were locked in our homes in isolation and fear.
Thankfully we were able to live-stream Masses, including Holy Week! Now we can gather in our parish church and as a family of Faith at Mass and social gatherings. So while we mustn't let our guard down in the face of the COVID-19 Virus, with more and more getting vaccinated, we seem to be returning to "normal.”
What that "normal" is I am a little uncertain. In light of all the trials of the pandemic, including sadly the death of our fellow parishioners due to COVID, perhaps we shouldn't just return to the so-called "normal." Instead, we might try to be more dedicated to living our faith, reaching out to those in need, and proclaiming the Gospel in word and deed. How often during the pandemic did we say to ourselves things like: "I'll never take things for granted again!"
Yet has the cross of the pandemic produced any spiritual fruits in our lives? Have we changed for the better? Or have we returned to our "normal" routine? "Normal" with its indifference and apathy, cynicism, and criticisms. Sin and selfishness. As we reflect on this long Lent of pandemic and see a world that is more divided and hostile than I can remember in my lifetime, perhaps as Catholic disciples, we might try to renew our Faith and live the joy of the Gospel.
We must not let the world change us into cynical and angry people. After all, there are more than enough of those today. No, let us change the world with joy, hope, and the love of Jesus Christ! If we do, then this cross of the pandemic can produce fruit aplenty!
We give thanks to Almighty God for the many blessings bestowed upon our parish and in our lives. After all, we are free to worship our loving God at Mass! Our church is open for daily prayer and, our parish is alive and full of vitality! Our parish school is thriving, and our young people receive the teachings of Jesus Christ. For all these blessings and many more, we give thanks to God! May he continue to bestow his abundant blessings upon us!
I offer sincere thanks to the many parishioners who so generously and sacrificially share their blessing supporting our Annual Collection. This generous support of this critical collection is deeply appreciated. Be well. Stay safe. Do good. God Bless. Go Pats and Go Sox!