I know some of you are starting your 4th of July Holiday a little early, so Happy Independence Day. Then again since the 4th is on Wednesday, maybe you are waiting until next weekend. I find it disturbing that this country of immigrants, has its president still condemning immigrants and separating immigrant families. My great grand father came from Germany at the age of 16. He was not on the Collins side. The Irish side immigrated long before that. I think most of us have similar stories. Let us pray for a quick solution to this situation.
As mentioned above, I invited Bishop Rhoades to visit us during our 90th Anniversary. He will be here on July 15 for the 10:30 AM Mass. All are invited to come and greet him.
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.
Today we celebrate the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our first reading from the Book of Wisdom talks about death. The Jews did not believe in life after death until about 100 years before the birth of Jesus. Here Wisdom tells us that “For God formed man/woman to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made him/her.”
In today’s Gospel Jesus raises Jairus’ daughter from death just by taking her hand and calling her back to life, “Little Girl, I say to you, arise.” Death comes but we live beyond it.
St. Paul in our second reading tells us how to do this by being in helpful relationships with one another.
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.