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2/13/22 Father Owen's Bulletin Message
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Dear Parishioners,
One of our ninth graders asked me the other day, where did Adam and Eve live and what ethnic group did they belong to? Interesting questions. Many years ago when I visited my sister in South Africa, we visited a place where tradition holds Adam and Eve lived. It is a very fertile area with a temperate climate. Obviously, we do not know the definite answer to this, but then he asked me what ethnic group Adam and Eve belonged to? Of course, if they lived in Africa then they would have been African, and we do know that human beings have evolved over the many years and that their height and skin color changed depending on the climate in which they were living. During the very early days, when our ancestors were nomadic, over a long period of time, their bodies changed to survive the environment in which they lived. Talk about change in bodies. The average person’s body changes considerably during our own lifetime. It is interesting looking at the photograph of an elderly relative when they were a child. We see the similar features, but age can change us all. We try to keep fit and eat in a healthy way, have regular check-ups with our doctor so that we remain healthy. It is good to live a long and healthy life. Most importantly, however, is the health of our soul. Our soul is central to who we are and lives within our body until death. Through our soul, we learn to love, sacrifice, follow the ways of Christ and truly enjoy being his disciple. As we grow older, we try to be wiser, more patient and more tolerant. Experience certainly helps us to understand the people and the world around us and using our intellect, our compassion, and our love, we strive to be the beacon of trust, faith, and hope that God wants us to be.
On Monday, the 14th we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Many people will send cards and texts to each other, many couples exchange gifts of love. On this Valentine’s Day, we call to mind St. Valentine who was a martyr for the faith in the early years of Christianity. He wrote letters to Christians who were persecuted, offering hope and encouragement to those who were afraid. Living in present day America, it is so easy to communicate. Let’s reach out in these days with a note or email with loving affirmation. I wish all our married couples a beautiful day on Monday, the 14th and be assured of our prayers and encouragement for you as you live the sacrament of marriage.
Last Friday, we celebrated our Lady of Lourdes, World Day of the Sick. When I consider Lourdes, I think of the loving hands of Mary our Blessed Mother, who lifts us up in our sorrow and consoles us in distress. At every Mass, we pray for the sick and for those who are dying. Always remember to invite the priest to anoint those who are ill and those who are dying and to give them through this sacrament the strength and courage we all need in times of illness or impending death. I live-streamed my 9 am Mass last Friday as we usually do but reached out to the Order of Malta and to our Special Needs family thanking our Mother of Lourdes for the grace to minister to those who depend on us and all who need our support.
On behalf of our parish, I extend our prayers and sympathy to Robert Riley our parishioner upon the death of his brother, Thomas. Although Tom died very young, it was an honor to minister to him and help support his children, mother, and brother. We hold the Riley family in our prayers during these difficult days.
I extend also, our prayers and sympathies to the Toth family and in particular, to Attila on the death of his beloved mother, Ibolya. She was a devoted mother-in-law to Colleen and grandmother to the girls. She was born in Hungary and lived a holy and faithful life in New Jersey.
Happy Valentine’s Day to all!
Fr. Owen