Dear Brothers and Sisters in  Christ, 

As the exhilaration of Eastertide,  and all that has ensued during this time, draws to a close we  remember that every Sunday is  a “little Easter”. Christ has not  departed from us, but has entered into our presence in a more universal and mystical way, namely  the Sacraments and the Sacred Scriptures. Just as if  someone were speaking to us we rightfully afford  them our undivided attention, so too, when we hear  the Word of God proclaimed or read It for ourselves  we hear the Lord speak to us. With open heart and  open mind we listen to the Word and then celebrate  His Presence in the holy rites of the Church. This is  Faith-in-action.

The Faith is meant to bring us into union with God  and one another. This is a recurrent message from  our Holy Father Leo whose very motto is “that all be one in the One. In today’s Gospel we hear our  Lord praying for His disciples and those who are yet  to come that all may be one. In a world so sadly torn  by divisions it is really up to us, with God’s grace, to  make it happen. Ponder the many ways and opportunities we can cooperate with God to bring that  longed for unity to family, community, our nation and  our world. With God all things are possible and that  is why we pray earnestly, especially in our Novena to  the Holy Spirit, to use the gifts bestowed upon us to  bring forth a more peaceful and fraternal world. 

Let us pray especially this week for our candidates  for the Sacrament of Confirmation who are preparing for the fullness of the 7-fold gifts on Pentecost  Sunday. May we, who are Confirmed, take time to  review what we have received form the Holy Spirit  so that we can renew the face of the earth. 

With Blessings, 

Father Langan

5/28 (vigil) St. Joseph’s, 5:30 PM

5/29- St. Mary Magdalen, 7:25 AM and 12:05 PM

St. Bernard’s. 6:00 P.M.

The 10:30 Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Magdalen Church on May 25.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     The Word of today’s Gospel gives us a great deal of consolation and peace.  When our Lord speaks to us about not letting our hearts be troubled we certainly need to hear that in a world that is filled with so much discord and animosity.  But if we trust in the Lord’s word our worry can change to hope.  And certainly in these last days there has been much hopefulness.

    The election of Pope Leo XIV gives us hope in a renewed vigor of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.  The Pope’s vision and determination to bring stability and unity to the Church lifts our spirits and challenges us to take up the banner to proclaim to all: “Jesus Christ is Lord!”  May we be courageous and faithful in following our new pontiff’s lead and support him daily with our prayers.

    Once again the raging waters have wreaked havoc on our St. John’s property.  Many discussions are taking place to try and rectify this perennial problem once and for all.  In the meantime, our “savior” Mike Cavage and Pioneer Construction, came to our rescue, as they  previously have done, to shore-up  the damaged bank and restore accessibility to our church   We are immensely grateful for their immediate action and attention to our dilemma.

      Remember that this coming Thursday we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord into Heaven.  It is a Holy Day  of obligation wherein we are commanded and bound to participate at Holy Mass.  The schedule of Masses are in this bulletin.

    We offer our heartfelt congratulations to the children of our First Holy Communion class who last Saturday received the Holy Eucharist.  Let us pray that they grow each day in the living and practicing of the Faith and that parents be diligent in bringing them to Mass every Sunday and Holy Day.

    Finally we have a wonderful opportunity to visit and greet the new Holy Father by making a pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi and Loreto this coming November 5-15.  I will be the chaplain for this trip which is operated by ProRome tours.  For complete information contact: https://prorometours.com/jubilee2025/

With Blessings,

Father Langan

The 10:30 Mass usually held at St. John the Evangelist Church will be held at St. Mary’s this Sunday, May 11.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we progress through these 50 days of Eastertide we can certainly say it has been quite eventful.  With the passing of Pope Francis and the expectation of a new Holy Father we have been occupied with the temporality of human life and the continuity of life as well.  As of this writing, we do not yet have a successor to St. Peter but whomever he may be, we pledge our heartfelt prayers and devoted obedience in all things necessary regarding our Faith.

    We cannot imagine the immensity of this calling to serve Christ and His Church that is why our prayers are vital for him to accomplish the ministry to which he has been called.  And how very appropriate that all of this is unfolding in the light of this Sunday’s Good Shepherd Gospel.  The Fourth Sunday of Easter has always been designated under this particular title to impose upon us the necessity to pray not only for the Holy Father as Pope but also to pray for those who are called to collaborate with him as bishops and priests in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ.

      So as you offer prayers and sacrifices for the Pope please implore our Divine Lord to call men to serve Him in the Holy Priesthood.  You are only too well aware of the decline of vocations.  Young men, for whatever reason, are reluctant to make the commitment of offering their lives completely and humbly to Christ and His Church.  Only our prayers and support can encourage them to. As St. Pope John Paul II said: “put out into the depth”, trusting in the Lord Who never abandons us.

      And speaking of the new Pope, as I mentioned in last week’s  message, you may have the opportunity to greet him in Rome accompanying me on the Jubilee pilgrimage from November 5th to the 15th, 2025.  All information can be found on the ProRome website: https://prorometours.com/jubilee2025/.I have been chaplain on a number of ProPome pilgrimages and have the highest praise for their expertise and professionalism.

With Blessings,

Father Langan

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

    In the midst of our mourning for Pope Francis and continued prayers for the repose of his soul, we have the joy of celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord for the Great Fifty Days concluding at Pentecost.  Even after Pentecost, our whole liturgical and spiritual lives focus on that singular event: “He is Risen” And so we treat Eastertide as the opportunity to contemplate and reflect on the impact of our Lord’s victory over sin and death.  Not to be forgotten, of course, is the fact that “someone” had to say yes to the advent of our redemption and that “someone is the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

    Christ is, as the Scriptures remind us, IS the New Adam and from where does that New Adam take His human flesh from but the New Eve, Mary.  Rightfully therefore, we begin the New Creation honoring Her who said yes to God’s plan for our salvation.  At our parish May crownings we thank our Lady for Her cooperation with God and also Her steadfast acceptance of the Father’s will especially on Good Friday.  Only by confidence and trust in God could she possibly endure what happened on that day and in Her wordless sermon to us, (remember: “Do whatever He tells you”), are we able to endure the difficulties of life.  Our humble garlands presented to Her is our way of showing appreciation for being the mother we always need.

    In the midst of these eventful days came an unexpected blessing.  ProRome, which is the travel agency I have several times engaged for European pilgrimages,  has asked me to chaplain a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi this coming November, the fifth to the fifteenth, (6 days in Rome 3 days in Assisi).  It is certainly going to be a unique opportunity to see the new Pope and to visit the tomb of Pope Francis and the tomb of the to be newly canonized Saint Carlo Acutis in Assisi.  If interested please contact me ASAP or contactProRome Tours email: office@prorome.com

     Recently some new members of our parish family have asked me about forming a Spanish speaking group to enhance participation and understanding in matters of the Faith.  I very much encourage this and ask anyone who may like to participate to contact the parish office and leave your name and contact information.

With Blessings

Father Langan

April 26-27

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

       Oh, how mysterious and profound the ways of God.  After his final appearance to the world the Lord called Pope Francis to Himself, ending the Pontiff’s Good Friday and drawing him into the glory of Easter.  How merciful is the Lord and now we pray for the repose of the Pope’s soul and that he may be received into the Kingdom.  As for all men Christ died for him and assured the promise of eternal life for those who keep His Commandments.  As we have seen so often Francis extended himself to the poor and forlorn giving them comfort and assurance of God’s love for them.

      One important aspect of the late Pope’s ministry was his calling for a Year of Mercy (2015-2016).   How very appropriate then that in these days of mourning for him we celebrate today, Divine Mercy Sunday established at the advent of the new millennium (2000) by St John Paul II.

      This Sunday afternoon beginning at 2:30 PM, in St John’s Church we will have our devotions which include Adoration, Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Litany, Solemn Vespers and Benediction.  Mass will not be celebrated.

Prior to the service Confessions will be heard beginning at 2 PM.  

 Let us fondly and prayerfully commend Pope Francis to the mercy of God and after his labors may he now rest in peace.

With Blessings,

Father Langan

Christ is Risen, Alleluia!  

Indeed He is Risen, Alleluia! 

This was the salutation among believers in the early days of the  Church. How wonderful it would  be to restore these acclamations  in our present day because it  is the heart of who we are and what we believe as  followers of Jesus Christ. As St. Paul reminds us: “If  Christ has not risen from the dead we are the most  foolish among men.” Fools we are not, but rather,  recipients of the greatest promises and blessings  God has bestowed on humankind. In Christ we,  who strive to be faithful, will enjoy everlasting life for  where the Shepherd has gone the sheep will follow. 

The Resurrection of our Lord is the turning point of  human history. Forlorn humanity was directionless,  relying mostly on its own initiatives and powers. It  endlessly repeated the folly of Babel trying to effect a  kingdom without the Presence of the Holy of Holies.  Now we know where we are going because Jesus has  shown us the Way. First comes the cross and then  the crown, something we must remind ourselves  constantly if we are to accept the glory of the Resurrection. 

Having accompanied our Savior throughout the  Sacred Triduum, especially in this Jubilee Year, many  graces have come to us, and it is through the efforts  of many: choir, musicians, servers, lectors, greeters,  ushers, sacristans, custodians, and office staff that  make our celebrations worthy of God. Certainly we  are grateful to all. 

Let the joy of these next Fifty Days which culminate  at Pentecost penetrate our thoughts and actions as  we revel in the Light of our Lord’s Resurrection. 

Please remember that next Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday when in a special way we celebrate the  infinite mercy of God toward sinners. Our worship  will be at St. John’s (our Jubilee pilgrimage site) beginning at 2:30PM which will include Expositions of the  Blessed Sacrament, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Litany  and Vespers. We will conclude about 4:00PM. All are  welcome. 

Blessings,

Father Langan