From The Pastor 5-1-2016

This weekend we celebrated First Holy Communion in our parish. Eighty-seven children received Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist for the very first time. We are so happy for our little brothers and sisters who join us around the table of the Lord and thank their parents and families for their faithfulness to Mass and the religious education of their children.

On Sunday, May 1, at 1:30 pm our First Holy Communion class will gather for our Annual May Crowning. Jesus and Mary are so intimately connected that it is only appropriate that as we celebrate Jesus in the Holy Eucharist we also honor his mother in this beautiful traditional devotion. (Unfortunately, I will not be here for the May Crowning. I will be in Falls Church, Virginia, preaching the 25th Anniversary Mass of my classmate and friend, Father Pat Posey. I am glad to be with Father but I will miss being here for our May Crowning.)

Which reminds us of all the other things happening in May: The Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord on May 5th a Holyday of Obligation; Ordinations to the Diaconate and Priesthood (in June); Pentecost Sunday; and we cannot forget the Feast of Saint Joan of Arc on May 30th. This is a great month to be a Catholic (but all months are, aren’t they?) Let us give thanks to the Lord for all that we celebrate, especially for our faith and for our families!