Today, the USA honors all those who gave their lives for the country in war. Let us remember those who made this ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy. Did you know this holiday was originally called Decoration Day? It was a day to decorate the graves of Union soldiers and started soon after the Civil War. The Southern states soon followed with their own holiday. Eventually the two were combined into one national holiday.
 
May is the Month of Mary. And of course Mary is our special mother, given to all of us by Jesus on the cross, when he shared her with us through his disciple John. This is your mother. This is your son/daughter. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
 
The Church has begun what is called “Ordinary Time.” I think we need to ask ourselves is any time ordinary? The Liturgical color is green, which is a sign of life and of hope. However, our next two Sundays will be white again as we celebrate The Trinity today and The Body and Blood of Jesus next Sunday.
 
Today we celebrate the Holy Trinity. We, as Catholics, believe that there are three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in the One True God. Stop and think how many times a day we profess this every time we make the Sign of the Cross: “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” We are baptized “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” We begin and end our prayers, especially at Mass in the same way.
 
How do we know that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Because Jesus told us so in today’s Gospel when he told his disciples and us: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” And he makes a further promise: “I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
 
St. Paul tells us this too in the second reading when he says the Holy Spirit will be with us because through Baptism, we are sons and daughters of God and so joint heirs with Christ. We, too, can call God “Abba, Father!”
 
In our first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses tells us how God created us and keeps us going in his love. “This is why you must now know, and fix in your heart, that the Lord is God in the heavens above and on earth below, and that there is no other.”
 
 
 
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.
 
At the invitation of Pete Morgan, Dan Mandell and I attended a “Call In” at the Charles Martin Center. This was a very moving experience as the police and public officials “called in” about 25 gang members from South Bend and presented a program telling them what the police are doing to stop the shootings in the city. Legal people were there and told them how much time they face in prison, if they are not killed by one another. A mother told her story about her 15 year old son being killed and two ex-offenders told their stories on how they turned their lives around. One very strong point that was made is that young men in gangs are killing other young men in gangs and this is mostly black on black crime in South Bend. Three 17 year olds have been gunned down lately. There were several companies there to offer jobs and many community members there for support. Change your lives! Stop the shootings! You are loved! These were the main messages. Let us pray that this works.
 
 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.
 

Peace, Father Len Collins, CSC