As I announced last Sunday, I will be away from South Bend at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, PA from June 10 -21 at the Chapter Meeting of the US Province of Priests and Brothers of Holy Cross. I was elected after the elected delegate and his alternate were unable to go. This Chapter Meeting is held every three years and helps in the direction of the Province. We will also elect a new Provincial for a six year term. The Provincial is the boss of this Holy Cross Province. I will be driving over and back with two other Holy Cross priests. Please keep us in your prayers. This is not a vacation. We will meet for prayer, food, and discussion every day, we are there. The drive over is about 600 miles. I want to thank Father Joe Carey for filling in for me today. In Case of an emergency, please call Deacon Mel. His number is below.
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 Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. In our first reading from Genesis, Adam and Eve have already sinned and are hiding in the Garden of Eden. God asks them what happened and why they ate the forbidden fruit. Adam blames Eve. Eve blames the serpent. God tells all three the struggle that will ensure between good and evil. That struggle continues even today.
In our second reading, St. Paul tells us there will be suffering in this life, but through faith we shall overcome.
In today’s Gospel, even Jesus suffers. His relatives say he is out of his mind. The scribes say “He is possessed by Beelzebub” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.” But Jesus as he usually does turns the tables on them all. “and looking around at those seated in the circle (his disciples) he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.’” The question we need to ask ourselves today as brothers and sisters of Jesus, are we doing God’s will?
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.