Dear Parishioners:
We had a beautiful Pentecost celebration last weekend. Fr. Brodeur solemnly celebrated the Extended Vigil Mass with its many readings. And on Pentecost Sunday at the 10:30 am Mass, I had the great privilege of baptizing and then confirming two adults, along with eight other adults. It is a great sign of life and vitality for our parish as we celebrate the birth of the Church and the descent of the Holy Spirit. We offer our heartfelt congratulations and sincere best wishes to the newly baptized and confirmed. Their names are listed in this week’s bulletin. Please pray for them.
I have important news about the budget envelopes. First, we know they were not sent out to any parishioners. The Cathedral Envelope Company in Connecticut has once again experienced a breakdown in its manufacturing equipment. This is now the third time this has happened.
Envelopes were finally sent out from Cathedral on May 18 and should be in your mailbox. This is the last budget envelope package you will receive from Cathedral, as we have engaged a new envelope company, Our Sunday Visitor Company in Indiana. Beginning in July, newly designed envelopes from OSV will arrive in your mailbox every two months. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time of transition.
Today at the 10:30 am Mass, we celebrate the Graduation Mass for the Our Lady of Mercy School Eighth Grade Class of 2026. These students have spent as many as 10 years in our outstanding parish school and are now departing OLM for high school. After Mass, we celebrate their academic achievements at a Graduation Luncheon at Quidnessett Country Club, with our administration, faculty, students, and their families.
OLM School Class of 2026!
On Monday, Fr. Brodeur will lead the class on an all-day retreat at the Seminary of Our Lady of Providence. On Tuesday, they will spend the day in the sun having fun at Holiday Hills Camp. On Thursday, they have their final dismissal on their last school day at Our Lady of Mercy. On Friday at 9:00 am, they join with the entire OLM School community for the Final First Friday Mass of the school year! And then Friday evening at 6:00 pm, we gather in the church for the Graduation Ceremony.
We offer the Class of 2026 our best wishes for their future endeavors. Please pray for them as they celebrate this milestone in their young lives and begin a new chapter. I remind them of the words of Saint Pope John Paul the Great, who said to young people at World Youth Day, “Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
The month of June begins on Monday! In June, the Church dedicates the entire month to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, offering special prayers and devotions. The reason is that the feast of the Sacred Heart, celebrated on June 12 this year, usually falls in June. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a very profound and enduring symbol representing the immense love and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. Devotion to the Sacred Heart is a special form of devotion to Jesus—the focus being his Heart, which exemplifies our Lord’s redemptive suffering for the whole world.
In the Gospels, Jesus’ heart is moved with pity for the crowds, and He tells us that He is gentle and humble of heart. The Sacred Heart of Jesus, which began beating in the womb of the Blessed Virgin more than 2,000 years ago, still beats today in the glorified humanity of the Risen Christ. In the Sacred Heart of the Lord, we experience the overwhelming mercy of God and His infinite desire to be with us.
St. John Henry Newman said: “The Heart of Jesus is a heart of flesh, and not of stone. He loves each of us as if there were none other for Him to love.”
As the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this year, the U.S. bishops are consecrating the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 11, 2026. We will join in this consecration here at OLM with Mass and a service for the school on Friday, June 12, the Feast of the Sacred Heart.
Be well. Do good. God bless. Congratulations and Best Wishes to the OLM School Class of 2026!