Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Though the Feast has been commemorated this past Friday and The Immaculate Heart of Mary on Saturday we nonetheless continue our devotions and seek daily to conform our hearts to Theirs.  For millennia the heart has been considered to be the seat of our emotions, our thoughts and aspirations.  Only with modern science have we repositioned the proper source of where these metaphysical attributes lie.  But the heart will always remain the focus when it comes to love.  

     We contemplate the Divine Love that comes from Christ’s Heart.  Adorned with eternal flames and a crown of thorns we are mindful of both suffering and purifying endured by that Heart.  He suffered to purify us so that our hearts might be prepared for entrance into heaven.

    The Immaculate Heart, adorned similarly. evokes compassions, mercy and motherly tenderness directed to all of us.  What consolation that brings in the midst of a world grown cold and distance from God.  In fact it was for this very reason that Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and directed her to foster recognition and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  St. Padre Pio and many others have prayed this novena daily asking God to break through the most hardened hearts and avail themselves to the mercy of Christ.  Perhaps we can and should make that part of our prayer routine.

    As pastors and parishioners we extend our very best to those who are graduating this season.  May God strengthen you in living the Christian Faith, being resolute disciples of Jesus, and unafraid to profess your loyalty to Him.

With Blessings,

Father Langan