Today, May 16th, we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. Our readings all present this great event. Our Responsorial Psalm shouts for joy: "All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness. For the Lord the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; The Lord, amid trumpet blasts, Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. For the king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne." Our reading from Acts and our Gospel tell us how it happened. Jesus "was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight." "So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God." After appearing to his disciples for forty days after his resurrection, Jesus physically left us. Our second reading tells us that all things were put beneath his feet and that Jesus is the head of the church, which is his body. After Pentecost, the disciples built the church and even today spread the church to all the world. We are that church. We are the Body of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia! Where Jesus has gone, we hope to follow, as we build his church here on earth by loving one another.
I want to thank all of you who continue to support the parish with your tithes. We keep on, keeping on. Our Masses are still each Sunday at 8:15 and 10:30 AM. Lora has returned to cantor at the 8:15. La Donna still leads the slowly returning choir at 10:30, which is still put online by Cheryl and Francine. The Soup Kitchen is open MWF from 11 AM - 12:30 PM. Our St. Vincent de Paul delivers food to shut-ins almost daily. Our Faith in St. Joe County meets Friday afternoons by zoom at 4 PM, discussing "The Sum of Us". Faith in St. Joe County has a large meeting Sunday afternoon at Potawatomi Park at 4 PM to push the need for proper help for those having mental difficulties interacting with the police. All are invited to attend.
As I'm sure you saw, the CDC has changed masking rules for those vaccinated. As of now, we will continue masking and social distancing at Mass since we are not sure who has or has not been vaccinated. Please, get vaccinated so we can return to normal as soon as possible. Pray for an end to the pandemic. Pray for peace in the Middle-East as well. Pray also for all our graduates in this season of graduations.