Dear Parishioners:
The Ascension Window at St. Aloysius Church, Great Neck, New York
This Thursday, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. This Feast commemorates Jesus' Ascension into heaven 40 days after his resurrection. Thus Ascension Day falls 40 days after Easter, on the 6th Thursday of Easter. The Ascension is a Holy Day of Obligation for all Catholics. On Wednesday, we celebrate the Vigil of the Ascension at 5:00 pm, and on Thursday, Masses are at 7:30 am, 9:00 am, and 7:00 pm. Certainly, ample opportunity for everyone to fit the holy day into their schedule.
In a sermon on the Ascension, St. Augustine said: "While in heaven he is also with us; we while on earth are with him. He is here with us by his divinity, power, and love. We cannot be in heaven, as he is on earth, by divinity, but in him, we can be there by love."
On Ascension Thursday, the 9:00 am Mass is an OLM School Mass. It is also Grandparents' Day at OLM School. The Grandparents of our students join us for Mass and then get to visit with their grandchildren in their classes. It is always a great day of celebration as a couple of hundred grandparents join us from near and far.
We haven't been able to celebrate Grandparents' Day in two years due to the COVID Pandemic. It's a wonderful tradition at OLM School, and we are delighted it's back on the schedule. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, recently delivered a very timely message for World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.
The Visit to the Grandparents by Adolph Tidemand (1814-1876)
He states:" 'In old age, they will still bear fruit' (Ps 92:15). These words of the Psalmist are glad tidings, a true 'gospel' that we can proclaim to all on this second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. They run counter to what the world thinks about this stage of life, but also to the attitude of grim resignation shown by some of us elderly people, who harbor few expectations for the future.
Many people are afraid of old age. They consider it a sort of disease with which any contact is best avoided. The elderly, they think, are none of their concern and should be set apart, perhaps in homes or places where they can be cared for, lest we have to deal with their problems. This is the mindset of the "throw-away culture," which leads us to think that we are somehow different from the poor and vulnerable in our midst, untouched by their frailties."
As we celebrate OLM School Grandparents' Day, we offer our prayers and gratitude to the many grandparents who daily offer us an example of love and wisdom. May Saints Anne and Joachim, the patron saints of grandparents, intercede for them all.
OLM Student Athletes compete in the statewide CAL Cross Country Meet last fall.
At the 5:00 pm evening Mass this Sunday, we honor the OLM School Student-Athletes. Our parish school fields teams for Cross Country, Basketball, Soccer, and Baseball. We award the Most Valuable Players and the Catholic Sportsmanship trophies at the Mass. I am most grateful to the many parents who volunteer their considerable time and talent to coach our students. They help teach the fundamentals of the game, teamwork and sportsmanship but most importantly Catholic values.
The 5:00 pm Mass this Sunday is the last one until the fall. It follows our Religious Education schedule and resumes on the first Sunday in October. So please plan your schedule to attend Mass accordingly.
Next weekend is Memorial Day Weekend, and we pray for all those who have died serving our nation in the military. Memorial Day is a day to honor, remember, and celebrate those who have gone before us in faith. May we honor their sacrifice on behalf of our nation, freedom, and liberty. Let us offer up prayers on Memorial Day for the gentle repose of their noble souls, our sincere gratitude for their service, and a renewed commitment to live our lives in ways that will reflect their sacrifice for an entire nation to see.
I am very grateful to the 424 parishioners who generously donated to support the Catholic Charity Appeal. For the first time in two years, we have reached our parish goal of $190,000! This year OLM surpassed the goal by over $50,000! Also, over 100 additional parishioners supported the Appeal this year! In the name of the poor and needy served by the Appeal, I offer my sincere thanks and deep gratitude.
Be well. Stay safe. Do good. God Bless!