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2/12/2023 Father Owen's Bulletin Message
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Dear Parishioners,
On Thursday, February 2nd, Dr. Stephen Deehan received the Order of Candidacy. During the ceremony, Stephen and eight other men, were formally accepted into preparation for the Diaconate. We expect these men will be ordained deacons in three and a half years. Stephen has been in class for approximately a year now. He and his wife, Yvonne, work together with the other deacons and their wives and are making great new friends and preparing themselves for future leadership. Their three boys, Patrick, Christian and Stephen attended the Mass and their daughter Noelle, who is in college followed by livestream. We surround Stephen and Yvonne with love and great pride and are excited for the years ahead.
Last Sunday, our 9th graders gathered with their parents to celebrate the Rite of Welcome. On behalf of our Bishop, I formally accepted them for the sacrament of Confirmation. The parents passed on a lit Baptismal Candle to their child and shared a memory of the day of Baptism. We hold our 9th graders in prayer and look forward to the day next year when they will complete their Catholic Initiation in the sacrament of Confirmation.
As I write this article on Monday, February 6th, we are very much looking forward to our Special Needs event this coming Saturday. Frank and our team are working very hard to make this a successful evening. As I celebrated our Special Needs Mass last Sunday, I was pleased to see new members joining our family and to see the joy and enthusiasm they have as they gather around the altar recognizing the love of Christ.
As I mentioned last weekend at all Masses, I invite you our adult community to google the Holy Father’s visit to South Sudan and to talk with your children and teens about the importance of this amazing journey our Holy Father has made. He was accompanied by the leader of The Church of England and The Church of Scotland and these three holy men stood hand in hand to beseech the nation to find way for peace and reconciliation. This new nation has experienced much violence and war. Let’s join our Holy Father and the leaders of the Christian world in prayer so that the peace that is so necessary for human stability can come to fruition.
This year, Tim and Helen Kelly will again host our Lenten Bible Study Group beginning on February 23. Helen and Tim not only have a great knowledge of the Bible but wonderful personalities and this would certainly benefit everyone who wants to gain inspiration from the Sunday readings.
On Tuesday, February 14, many couples will celebrate Valentine’s Day. These days many of us send cards to friends and family members thanking them for the gift of love. As we remember St. Valentine, we remember this marvelous bishop who sent letters of encouragement to early Christians who were suffering persecution. In the way of St. Valentine, let us always be ready to affirm each other, to encourage each other and to pray for each other. I encourage you again, my dear parents to encourage your dear children to send a card, text or email to grandparents and elderly family members assuring them of their love and appreciation. As we celebrate Valentine’s Day this Tuesday, we thank God for the gift of our faith and for the special people in our lives and for those who make our lives more joyful and bring out in us the best of our gifts through inspiration and invitation.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Fr. Owen