As the line in the old horror movie says: “I’m back!”
I want to thank Fathers Joe Carey, Tom McNally and Jim Ferguson for filling in for me while I participated in the Provincial Chapter of the US Province of Holy Cross Priests and Brothers. Since I am writing this on June 6, I cannot say what happened on my trip or what the meeting accomplished, but I’m sure it all went well.
I also want to thank Deacon Mel for minding the store while I was away. Thanks, too, to Dan Mandell for updating the office computer. I’m sure I will have fun this week trying to figure out the new computer and the new programs. Dan says I have finally come out of the Stone Age. We shall see as will you in next week’s Bulletin.
The diocese is upgrading the computer program that all the parishes use here in Fort Wayne-South Bend. This includes our computer list of parishioners as well as our recording of contributions to the parish and diocesan collections. For us to keep track of your contributions, you must be registered. We know and appreciate the many visitors we have each Sunday. Many seem to come very often but have not signed up in the parish. We are not pressuring anyone to sign up, but if you want or need a tax statement at the end of the year, we need you in our computer.
John the Baptist has always been one of my favorite saints. He was called by God before his birth to prepare the Way of the Lord. We have to remember that prophets weren’t always welcomed with open arms and they usually didn’t see the results of their good works. John was the same.
The Prophet Isaiah sums this up well in our first reading. Even though he was called by God from birth to be a sharp-edged sword and a polished arrow, he felt that he had toiled in vain, but we see Jesus in the last line of the reading: “I will make you a light to the nations that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
Today’s Gospel tells us of the birth of John the Baptist and the amazement it caused, when this very elderly couple, Zechariah and Elizabeth had their baby. “What, then will this child be?” the neighbors asked. The last line tells us “The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel”
In today’s second reading from Acts, St. Paul tells us something about John: “John heralded his (Jesus’) coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’”
Let us continue to pray for peace in the world. Let us also pray for vocations to the church. Let us pray for the sick of the parish. Let us pray that all will come to respect life. Let us pray for one another and for the canonization of Father Tolton.
A Father Tolton Prayer:Father in Heaven, Father Tolton’s suffering service sheds light upon our sorrows; we see them through the prism of your Son’s passion and death. If it be your Will, O God, glorify your servant Father Tolton, by granting the favor I now request through his intercession (mention your request) so that all may know the goodness of this priest whose memory looms large in the Church he loved. Complete what you have begun in us that we might work for the fulfillment of your kingdom. Not to us the glory, but glory to you O God, through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are our God, living and reigning forever and ever. Amen.