Dear Parishioners,
We are officially now a parish blessed with an oratory! Please see the special insert in today’s bulletin with Bishop Malesic’s formal Decree which designates St. Malachi’s church building as an oratory of Saint Patrick Parish. I invite you to carefully read the document along with my personal message attached to it.
At the time of writing this week’s column (Thursday morning), our College of Cardinals have yet to elect a new Pope. So far, black smoke came out of the chimney twice. By the time you read this column, we pray that white smoke blows confidently into the skies as we welcome the next successor of Saint Peter. Personally, I must say that I can’t wait to insert the new pope’s name into our Eucharistic Prayer after the notable absence since Francis’ death. This is significant every time we celebrate the Mass in that we belong to the local Church when we mention our own Bishop Edward and that we are in communion with the Universal Church as we pray for ___N.___ our Pope. May the Lord bless our new universal shepherd and may we hear his name inserted into our prayers.
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, let us be mindful of our two mothers: our earthly mother and our Heavenly Mother, Mary, the mother of God and of the Church. The month of May is traditionally the month of Mary. Through her, the work of Motherhood is glorified and sanctified. On this Mother’s Day, bringing all mothers to the altar, let us honor them (and all women who share in this role of loving service) with our prayerful thanks and by how we live our lives.
To Jesus through Mary,
Fr. Gurnick