Beloved Family:
In case you have not already thought about it, NOW is the time to bring your old palms back to church. We will collect them and utilize them to make the ashes for use on Ash Wednesday. Baskets are placed at several points within the church and offices.
This coming week— from Sunday afternoon until Friday afternoon, I will be in Mundelein, Illinois for another module in the supervisor training program. This relates to Saint Mary Parish serving as a frequent placement for seminarians. It is all geared to set us up better to serve the formation needs of these men in a holistic fashion. Among the benefits I have experienced is coming to know brother priests from other parts of the country, while also further building fraternity with priests from our own diocese.
Unfortunately, the timing is such that I will completely miss the parish mission here. I hope that many will choose to receive the gift of these coming evenings—Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Many of us have been impacted by the ministry of Fr. Christopher Trenta, who spent his first four years of priestly service among us. Among other gifts, he is a man of keen insight when it comes to liturgy and worship—so key in our lives as Catholics.
Fr. Mark Riley, Tuesday’s presenter, is a man of great sincerity and a passion for serving. We overlapped in our seminary training, and he always stood out as kind and deeply interested in people as persons, unique sons and daughters of our heavenly Father. He may “love” Coccia House pizza, but his love for Christ is far surpassing (with all due respect for the Coccia name).
Deacon Charles (Chuck) Cairnie will complete the trio of evenings. While I do not believe our outward appearance necessarily reflects our interior spirit, in Deacon Chuck’s case, his physical stature is matched by his standing out as a leader among peers who is making a great shepherd among shepherds and who will passionately tend to the flock entrusted to his care. You owe it to yourselves to avail mind and heart to their message.
There is a fourth evening opportunity for gathering. Almost always, it takes time to digest what one has heard and seen, and yet having the opportunity to gather intentionally to process and reflect together is a blessing. The Wednesday panel will help us share what has clung to our souls (like good sauce to pasta—wow, I must have Italian on my brain!) and what we can spiritually carry into Lent and beyond, not just as individuals but as a community.
Looking ahead, as we anticipate the ordination of Deacon Nathan and Deacon Chuck and their classmates (Saturday, May 16), it is our plan to reserve a bus to provide transportation to and from the event. Keep your eyes and ears open for coming details related to that most marvelous occasion for celebration. Both of these men will celebrate Masses of Thanksgiving here at Saint Mary: Deacon Chuck, on May 17 and Deacon Nathan, on May 31. Naturally, there will be receptions following these Masses. If you have an interest in being involved in the effort, please reach out to the church office.
Let His Peace be with you,
Fr. Stephen
