Please welcome Fr. Greg Dongkore from Ghana. Fr. Greg is here with us until mid-August. Be sure to give him your usual warm St. Bede welcome. We are so grateful to have him here with us again this summer.
Happy Father’s Day to all of our dads! With that, we have a special novena of Masses for all our fathers, living and deceased. You may obtain remembrance envelopes at the office if you have not already done so. What is the primary role of a father? Is it not to love and care for your children and do the best that you can to get your kids to heaven someday? Is there anything more important?
Thank you to our Pastoral Council members who served the parish receptions the past two Sundays for the Masses of Thanksgiving of Fr. Joseph Cruz and Deacon Chris McKim. The refreshments and fellowship (and blessings) were appreciated by many. My hats off in a big way to our Pastoral Council president, Robert Develle. Robert is rotating to Immediate Past President for next year’s pastoral council. His service and leadership is commendable.
St. Bede’s Loaves and Fishes Fellowship meets every Saturday in the patio area next to the church immediately after the 5:30 pm Mass. This is a terrific opportunity for parish social interaction at a potluck gathering. Join us for fellowship any Saturday evening. Everyone and their family members are invited. This coming Saturday, June 21, Bishop Albert Bahhuth will be joining us to bless and celebrate our community outreach.
Let us pray for peace in our big city. There are a lot of heated emotions out there on both sides of the equation when it comes to immigration, the people who have arrived, and the enforcement of the laws on our books. I see many Instagram posts and stories from friends and others. Some are angry and irritating. Others try to shed light with another perspective. As is typical of any conflict, the situation is more complex and nuanced than many of us acknowledge. Let us try … I know “to try” is challenging at times … to be instruments of peace.
There are serious divisions in our country. Polarization is prominent for a number of reasons. Somehow, we must reconcile our differences. St. Paul in Colossians 1:19-20, says: “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Perhaps we need to surrender the fear and the anger. I think we need to have the humility to recognize that maybe we don’t get the full picture or that we are incorrect on some points. Is that even remotely possible? The older I get, the more I am fascinated by the varying points of view of many very good people.
Register now for Vacation Bible Camp, Faith Formation, and Confirmation on our parish website. Please spread the word.
Travelling this summer? Check out masstimes.org for information on Masses while away. Don’t miss the Holy Eucharist! While travelling, please consider continuing to support your parish.