Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     Yesterday the Church celebrated the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.  The feast commemorates the queen mother, St Helena’s finding of the Cross on which the Savior of the world was crucified.  Presently, major portions of the Cross are enshrined in Rome along with other relics of Our Lord’s Passion.  In today’s Gospel our Lord very clearly refers to the Cross for Himself AND for those who would be His disciples.  So stunning was this revelation that immediately Peter forcefully objects to this proclamation.  He cannot comprehend nor understand what is basically  Christ’s teaching about salvific suffering.  In time Peter will have his own martyrdom, then he will understand.

      We, of course, cannot be too critical of Peter since we also are perplexed by the mystery of suffering.  How often do we cry out: “why Lord?” and there seems to be no satisfactory answer.  Only faith in Jesus can help us cope with the cross.  It is of utmost importance to not allow despair or disbelief dictate our rebuttal of the cross.  Sadly, many who are lacking faith fall into this trap and attempt to escape by a myriad of unhealthy, both physically and spiritually, things that rip apart the integrity of one’s soul.  As the song goes: “looking for answers in all the wrong places.”  The answers are found only in Him who is the way, the truth, and the life.

This past week we have had two very successful events: the St. Joseph golf tournament at Crick Hill and the quilt raffle conducted by the women’s’ guild at St. Bernard’s.  Our sincere thanks to Kathy and Augie Stile for conducting the tournament and all its preparation.  Thank you to the participants and gift donors and the managers of the course.  Women’s Guild members:   You did a terrific job in promoting the raffle and giving the proceeds of over a thousand dollars towards our 100th anniversary celebration.  Many thanks.

With Blessings,

Father Langan