Dear Parishioners,

Speaking of blessings…(I spoke of them in last week’s bulletin which I’m sure you’ll remember)…I have a large book called the “Book of Blessings” which I use on occasion for the blessing of our Nativity scene, the blessing of Mothers & Fathers on Mother’s & Father’s Day (respectively), etc. But there are so many blessings that the Church offers for so many different occasions. Here’s a description of it: “The Book of Blessings contains the blessings of the Roman Ritual for the Universal Church as well as additional proper blessings for use in the United States. This liturgical book includes blessings pertaining to persons, to objects, and to various occasions, as well as blessings and services connected with official parish events.” I thought that in this new year of 2024, I would try to make better use of the many blessings the Church offers us. Blessings remind us of God’s goodness, generosity, and desire that we enjoy his many graces and gifts. They also remind us that we need God’s help. If January 1st had been a holy day of obligation this year, we would have heard these words from the Old Testament book of Numbers for our first reading: 

The Lord said to Moses: “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

So the blessing of others has a very long history. May God bless each of you in this New Year!

On Christmas I also spoke about angels, specifically about how they were seen as God’s army sent to protect us in spiritual battle & to remind us of God’s power and strength. I also pointed out the wonderful statue of St. Michael the Archangel that we have in our church in the chapel area. Again you’ll notice the military clothing & footwear on him, but also the long, pointy spear that rests on the chin of the devil. I was thinking about how Father Vesely used to say the prayer to St. Michael at every Mass. This prayer was first introduced in 1886 by Pope Leo XIII. The prayer was initially part of the "Leonine Prayers,” (so named after Pope Leo, but not OUR Pope Leo who was the First & the Great Saint Leo). These were a series of prayers recited after Mass. The prayer was later removed from the Mass in 1964 but is still widely used by many Catholics today. Here is the prayer that you may want to use when needing the power of God, especially when faced with temptation and evil:

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Congratulations to Brandon Robinson & Nichole Kirk who are being married this weekend. Some of you will know them as the faithful young couple who attend either the 8am or 11am Masses. Nicole was received into the Catholic Church about a year ago and received the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation. They both have become lectors in recent months. I am so happy to celebrate their wedding and ask you to pray for God’s continued blessings on them. May they live a long and prosperous life together. 

 Fr. James P. Schmitz