May 14th

Dear Friends,

Happy Mothers’ Day to all the moms of our parish!

I am grateful to the Madonna Knights of Columbus council, which organized the annual Canaryville Parade, and the Stockyard Kilty Band, which leads the parade each year and fills the air with the beautiful sound of bagpipes and drums. Thanks to all the dads and kids who march in the parade as a way of honoring and showing appreciation for all of the moms of our neighborhood.

One way of honoring Mary, the mother of Jesus and mother of the Church, is through the annual May Crowning. Recall that the final decade of the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary is the “Crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth.” Last weekend many watched as Charles was crowned King of England. Mary’s reign is of a different sort. When Jesus was dying on the cross, the Apostle John and his Mother were there with him. He said to her, “Behold your son;” he said to him, “behold your Mother.” Mary is spiritual mother to all of us.

​This year we had May Crowning during the week at school Masses. In addition, I invited all those who made their First Communion last Saturday, and all those who received the Sacrament of Confirmation in March to participate at either the 9:30 or 11 May Crowning ceremonies this weekend.

This past week we had orientation meetings for those who will now begin their one-year preparation period for First Communion and their two-year preparation period for Confirmation. I reinforced with the families that the primary preparation for these sacraments is weekend Mass, which is why you see kids handing in “attendance cards” afterwards. In addition to helping us track their preparation, it also gives the deacons and me an opportunity to greet them individually and work on learning their names.

Finally, please see the information in the bulletin about plans for a Bible Study group and the initiation of a parish Men’s Ministry. Thanks to Deacon Rob Morris for taking the lead on both of these!

May your week reflect the encounter with Christ
we experienced at Mass today!