William Rebello was married to his wife Amy for just under 50 years and had 4 sons. I visited with them in their home several years ago to offer William the Anointing of the Sick and the Eucharist and I know that his struggle with illness had lasted many years. But I knew right away how devout they both were. I only learned recently that William had served as a Jesuit priest in India and that faith continued to remain alive in his marriage and family life. After his obituary opened with words from the 23rd Psalm, it said that William lived his life with faith and generosity. We pray that the Good Shepherd will reward him and bring comfort to his wife and children as we offered his Funeral Mass on Friday, April 29th.                     

     On Saturday, April 30th, we gave thanks for the life of Katherine Canaly who had a devotion to Mary and to the prayer of the rosary. She was married for 30 years and had children and grandchildren. We celebrated her virtuous life whereby she would give food or clothing or even a place to stay to children of her neighborhood. These are the things that Christ said will determine our worthiness for eternal life. She was also described as patient, understanding, non-judgmental and compassionate. We thank God for these virtues in her life and pray that they may gain for her eternal life with the Risen Lord.                                          

     This weekend we welcome the children of our parish who will be making their First Holy Communion. It is a joy for us to see them receiving the Eucharist for the first time and pray that it may be the food that sustains them weekly throughout the rest of their lives for like the food that nourishes our body, this is the food that gives strength to our spirit. Please pray for these children and for their parents that together they may pray together, stay together and know of God’s love together.                                

     We also extend our prayers and gratitude to our mothers, both living and deceased during this Mother’s Day weekend. It is during the month of May that we also dedicate these days to Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our Mother as well. May she pray for our mothers wherever they may be and may we bring joy to our mothers by a loving and fruitful way of life.                                   

     We also congratulate Ava & Evan Heinz, both of whom will be receiving their First Communion this Sunday. Ava will also be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. They both attend Incarnate Word school, where the students make these sacraments at their home parish. So we are happy to celebrate these sacraments with them and pray for their continued growth in God’s grace.                                 

     We will be celebrating a Baccalaureate Mass with the eighth graders of our parish school this Friday. Since I will be in the Holy Land on the day of their graduation May 24th, I am glad to have this opportunity to pray with them and to ask God’s blessing on them as they celebrate their accomplishments here at St. Leo’s and continue their journey after graduation. It is always bitter sweet to see these young men & women graduate for we are proud of how they have grown over the years yet sad to see them leave our parish school. But we trust that God will continue to bless them abundantly as they walk the journey of life and faith.