We express our sympathy to Christine Squires, the wife of Robert whose funeral Mass was celebrated here last Saturday. To her & to their children Richie & Sandy, we pledge our prayers & support during this time. I also had the funeral of a brother & sister of Bob here at St. Leo’s, and Deacon Pat presided at the funeral of another brother when I was ill. Bob, like his siblings, was a man of faith who was always willing to help others in imitation of Jesus whom Peter said, “went about doing good.” The siblings would pray the rosary together several times a year as they prayed for their deceased family members. May that powerful prayer used for others now come to his assistance so that Mary may welcome him to God’s kingdom.
This past week we also celebrated the Mass of Christian Burial for Frank Wade, husband of Anne for 64 years. They have 7 children and 10 grandchildren. Frank’s obituary included a long list of his accomplishments in life, especially as a coach for young people and as a successful businessman who also sat as a member of the Board at a bank and at Jennings. His strong mind for business was a gift he received and which he used so well. But he was also a dedicated family man and took a keen interest in the lives of his children and grandchildren. Frank was also a man of strong faith which was expressed in what he did as a coach and as an organizer of youth sports. We thank God for his example and pray for his heavenly reward.
As more & more people become vaccinated and return to Mass, we continue to ask how we can resume some of the activities & ministries put on hold because of the Coronavirus. For one, I would like to let the Eucharistic Ministers know who brought Holy Communion to the sick & homebound, that they can resume this important ministry if the people they visit are vaccinated and feel comfortable with someone bringing them the Eucharist. You can place your pyx on the tabernacle altar before Mass which we will fill after Holy Communion.
I would also like to resume our enjoyment of coffee & donuts which we have fasted from for too long due to the pandemic. But instead of gathering in the enclosed space of the vestibule, perhaps we can use the space outside to meet with fellow parishioners. I’d like to begin celebrating civil holiday Masses outside by our shrine. I don’t know why I haven’t done that until now, but there is a stone altar there and some benches, though we’d like to ask you to bring your own chair if you are able & allow those who can’t carry one to use the benches that are there. So we will begin with the Memorial Day Mass that will be celebrated at 9am on Monday, May 31st. This will be weather-permitting of course. I’ll remind you of that in a couple of weeks but pray for warmer and dryer weather than what we’ve had so far during this month of May.
Due to First Communions and Mother’s Day, we haven’t had the opportunity yet to recognize May as the month we set aside to remember the Blessed Virgin Mary. There is a veil on her statue but we’ll offer a prayer to ask for her motherly intercession.
With the rain (& snow!) we had last week, we had another pond form outside my office window, but this time a couple of ducks came to take advantage of it! But’s it’s almost gone now & so are they. I’m still here though until I fly south in July.