September 18-19

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This week we make the transition into the beautiful season of Autumn.  As sweaters and jackets are pulled out of closets and daylight wanes  we note a transition taking place in Our Lord’s mission as recorded in today’s Gospel.  He and His disciples leave the relatively placid surroundings of the Galilee for the hectic bustle of Jerusalem.  Things, as they say, “will start to heat up”.   Our Lord will more and more remind His followers the reason for His coming in the flesh of humanity, namely, “to pay the price for our sinfulness”.  Many do not want to hear that and so they turn their attention to other matters such as “who is the greatest”… change the focus and avoid the reality.  This seems to be a common occurrence in our modern times.  We, of course, know that as painful as reality may be from time to time, we must face it with the courage that comes from the presence of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives.  We must not shut Them out or divert our attention to things that will not give the peace we need.

“I am with you always”, says the Lord.  That Holy Presence can and does get us through everything, even sickness and death.  The most intimate Presence of Our Divine Lord is in the worthy reception of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.  How one who has indeed received Our Lord in the Eucharist and may presently absent themselves from His glorious Presence is a sad and truly self-defeating attitude.  To allow the distractions of the world rather than the attraction of Christ to dictate one’s path is a road that leads to nowhere.

Yes, we are in a time of transition.  Let us take a lesson from Mother Nature.  As the earth prepares to receive its rest and be receptive to what is necessary for its renewal may we do likewise as we open ourselves to God’s saving grace in the Sacramental life of the Church. 

A reminder that next Sunday we will be commissioning our Catechists at the 10:30 Mass as we commemorate Catechetical Sunday.  These fellow parishioners have volunteered for the awesome work of educating, along with parents, our children in the ways of Faith.  As parents lead by their good example in weekly participation at Holy Mass and family prayer, e.g. grace before and after meals, family Rosary and other devotions, our devoted catechists enliven the Faith of our young ones as they grow in love and knowledge of the Lord.  It is a cooperative work of God.

This Thursday is the memorial of Padre Pio.  On Sunday, the 26th, we will renew our prayer group in his honor and call upon his intercession especially for the sick and suffering, those who are so dear to his heart.   Our worship begins at 2:30 in St. Mary Magdalen and concludes about 4:00 P.M. with Vespers and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

With Blessings,

Father Langan