Once again Congratulations to all of our graduates! We are proud of each and every one of you.
Last Sunday after each Mass there was a party in honor of my 50th Anniversary as a priest. Being diabetic, the presence of two wonderful cakes was too much of a temptation. Both were very good and a small piece of each, didn’t get my sugar up! Thank you so much for your well wishes, gifts, support and friendship. I really appreciate all you do for the parish and for me.
This is Memorial Day Weekend. Memorial Day is a day that started out by decorating the graves of solders, those who gave their all for their country. Let us remember and pray for al in the military who put their lives on the line for our way of life. Let also pray for those who gave their life for their country. May they rest in peace.
On the Sixth Sunday of Easter, we start to look forward to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” He also says he leaves Peace with his disciples, his church, and with us.
That peace even lasts through some difficult times from the early years of the Church. Our reading from Acts gives us an outline, 20 verses of arguments are left out, of how this peace works. The Church had a big problem. Did Gentiles have to become Jews in order to follow Christ? The answer is a letter inspired by the Holy Spirit telling us Gentiles that we too can follow Jesus and live in his peace.
In our second reading we have St. John’s vision of the New Jerusalem. It is full of symbolism and great beauty. There is no temple of church in the city and no sun or moon “for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.” In the New Jerusalem, God is all, just as we strive to make God all in this life. Then we really do have the peace of Jesus in our hearts.
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. Let us also pray for those who are victims of sexual abuse and mass shootings.
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.