After beating Michigan, things were rather good at ND and in South Bend. Since ND is favored by 34 points over Ball State, I presume all will go well again this week end for ND.

Now that school has started in the entire area, please drive safely and watch out for the children. There is a clever sign on Diamond which reads: Drive like your kids lived here! That is good advice all the time.

This is a big week for the Congregations of Holy Cross. Our Patronal Feast Day is Saturday on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. Our founder Blessed Basil Moreau chose her as our Patroness, both for the men and women of Holy Cross. The sorrows of Mary are seven: the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, when she was told a sword would pierce her heart; the flight into Egypt; Jesus being lost in the Temple; the meeting of Mary and Jesus on the way to Calvary; the crucifixion; the taking down of Jesus’ body from the cross; and his burial. The Sister of Holy Cross used to have as part of their habit Dolor Beads that looked like a rosary but only had seven decades, one for each sorrow of Mary.

In our first reading today from the Prophet Isaiah, The Lord tells us how things will be in his kingdom. Things will change in favor of the good. There will be plenty of water in the dry land of Israel. When God comes to save his people: “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.”

Our Gospel reading from Mark, gives us Jesus fulfilling this promise. He cures the deaf man and his speech impediment. Elsewhere he cures the blind. This has a double meaning. When we see Jesus and hear his word, salvation can be ours. Listen to his word. Look for him in your brothers and sisters and change the world.

In our second reading, St. James says we have to see Jesus in all our brothers and sisters, rich and poor alike. He gives us a powerful example of two people coming to church, one finely dressed and the other in rags. As followers of Jesus, we have to see Jesus in both and not show favoritism. 

We celebrate the Exultation of the Holy Cross on Friday. This recalls St. Helena going to Jerusalem and looking for the cross upon which Jesus died. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher now stands on that sight and contains both Calvary and Jesus’ tomb.

I recently renewed our website for another year for $240.00. I hope parishioners are using it. Let me know.

I ask you to be careful in the parking lot. We have developed a small sink hole in one of the parking spaces. I have put a cinder block over it to prevent people from stepping into and have called a couple of asphalt companies to fix it. One has agreed but it will take 3 – 4 weeks for them to fit us into their schedule. Please be careful. 

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.

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. Amen.

Peace, Father Len Collins, CSC