This Sunday is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. It is also Memorial Day Weekend, the unofficial start of summer. On Memorial Day we remember all those who gave their lives in war so that we could enjoy the freedoms we have. Jesus gave his life to free us from sin. He said there is no greater love than to give one's life for one's friends. Let us remember all those who died in war...
I just received the following from the diocese: Roman Catholic Province of Indianapolis Lifting of the Dispensation from the Obligation of Mass, Effective 11 June 2021 The celebration of the Eucharist at Mass is the source and summit of our life and mission as Catholics. Since March 2020, due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, all Roman Catholics throughout the entire Province of Indianapolis, which comprises all five dioceses of Indiana, have been dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. However, with the decrease of cases in our state, the widespread availability of vaccines and following the guidance of public health officials, we are now able to safely accommodate more parishioners for Masses. Therefore, effective June 11, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass is hereby lifted throughout the state of Indiana. ...
Today, May 16th, we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. Our readings all present this great event. Our Responsorial Psalm shouts for joy: "All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness. For the Lord the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; The Lord, amid trumpet blasts, Sing praise to God ...
First and foremost, let me wish everyone a Happy and Blessed Mother's Day. It seems strange that we only take one day out of the year to honor the woman, who has done so much for each of us. Shouldn't we be honoring our mother every day? It is even one of the Ten Commandments: Honor your father and your mother! Do some thing nice for your mother today, even if it is just a prayer of thanksgiving. We should also remember our Mother Mary today. She is the mother of Jesus, the mother of the church and our mother as well. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. The 9th is also the Sixth Sunday of Easter. In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we have ...
Today the Orthodox Church celebrates Easter. Happy Easter to all our Orthodox brothers and sisters! Yesterday was a holiday throughout much of the world, May 1st, May Day, Labor Day. The Church celebrated St. Joseph the Worker. On Wednesday, Mexico and many Mexican Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo, the Fifth of May. This spring time celebration commemorates the Mexican victory over the French at Puebla, Mexico and what some call Mexico's Second Independence, first from Spain and later from France. Happy Cinco de Mayo to all who celebrate it! Next Sunday is Mother's Day. Do something nice for your mother this week, at least an extra prayer. During the month of May...
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is a special day of prayer for vocations to the Church. That's because it is a Good Shepherd Sunday. Our Gospel tells us that Jesus called himself the good shepherd. "A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away." The Church asks us to pray today for good shepherds in the Church. As we look around we can see that the number of priests and religious continues to decline. We need more full time ministers in the Church. Please pray today for more priests, deacons, religious, and lay workers to come forward to serve the Church and pray for those who already do. This past week was quite historical. For three weeks we saw ...
I write this Friday morning with a heavy heart. I have just watched an account of the mass shooting in Indianapolis on TV. It brings to mind all the gun violence we have experienced over the past few months, especially all the shootings we have had in our area. All life is precious, since we are all made in the image and likeness of God. Let us all pray for an end to all this violence. We are an Easter people and our song is Alleluia! This Sunday we continue to celebrate with the Third Sunday of Easter. In our Gospel, Luke mentions two appearances of Jesus after his resurrection. The opening lines tell us ....