September 1, 2024
September, dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, is a recognition that the Mother of God also had a cross to bear. This is also the month in which we celebrate the Exultation of the Holy Cross, a day in which we recognize the cross as a sign of victory out of inevitable defeat. Before the cross has this mystical transformation, Mary was called upon to stand at the foot of the cross and bear witness to the agony of her beloved son. Some might say that this would have been an impossible task if she did not know deep within her Immaculate Heart that the cross and tomb were not the end of the story. In this way, Mary bears witness to the internal strength to take up one’s own cross and the hope that is sustained with the quiet support of accompanying another as they carry their cross. The cross is not easy, it is not meant to be, and yet we have Mary’s powerful witness of acceptance and God’s victory over that same cross. This month we are challenged to follow her example; I pray we open ourselves to that grace.
O most holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ: by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed the martyrdom, the crucifixion, and death of your divine Son, look upon me with eyes of compassion, and awaken in my heart a tender commiseration for those sufferings, as well as a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that being disengaged from all undue affection for the passing joys of this earth, I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem, and that henceforward all my thoughts and all my actions may be directed towards this one most desirable object. Honor, glory, and love to our divine Lord Jesus, and to the holy and immaculate Mother of God. Amen.
In Gratitude to:
· The multitude of volunteers who took a few minutes, a few hours, or several days to help set up, take down, prep for, and run the Summer Social. What an amazing sign of a community coming together for a united purpose. I am honored to be a part of this community and I wish I could thank every one of you by name but please know that it is with extreme gratitude that I thank you. Especially the Social planning committee who made the social run as smoothly as it did.
· Tammy Manley, Kathy Roy, and Pablo Fierros of the parish staff for all their work in coordinating, setting up and processing the results of our Summer Social. Without their essential help this amazing event would not have been possible.
· The many volunteers and patrons of the Rod Run at Saint Benedict. It is always a great sign of the goodness and unity of your community to see you in action!
· Those who recently attended the AED training at Saint Aloysius, I know that we all pray that such an emergency never takes place but it is good to know that we are more prepared for the possibility. Thank you for your willingness to serve!
Requests For:
· Your prayers for your pastor and for the success of the upcoming information session for the possible Regina Caeli Academy coming to Saint Aloysius.
Two Parishes, One Heart,
Fr. Adam