FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

WOW!  School is over, and the month of May is done this week!  Where has the time gone?  I guess when you are happy, time flies.  And when you are old, time flies, even when you are sometimes unhappy!  However you look at it, it is now summer-time, and that means less pressure.  Some of our families are already away on vacations to other states.  And many of our families are looking forward to camping out, visiting other states, and taking long trips.  In all of this, I ask you, as you start your trip, to say an Act of Contrition to ask God’s forgiveness, and the prayer to the Guardian Angel.  You can say a rosary on the trip to pass time, or like me, many rosaries to pass time.  However, do not forget that you need God’s help and protection at all times, whether at home or away.  Maybe it would be good to say a short prayer before you begin any project to ask God’s blessings on your work, and one to thank him when the task is completed.  God always tells us to come to him and He will help us!  We need to practice this always!

Monday is Memorial Day—a day to remember our deceased family members as well as all of our veterans who gave their life for our country.  We will have mass at 8:00 A.M. so that it frees up the rest of the day for your plans.  Please come to mass and pray for those who have died in the service of our country, for your family members, and in thanksgiving to God for the gifts he has given us, especially the Holy Eucharist.

Tuesday is the last day of May.  It is also the day we have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from morning mass until 7 P.M. closing.  Since I failed to have any special services to honor Mary during May, I ask you to attend the special May Devotion and closing of Adoration Tuesday at 7:00 P.M.  We will have Rosary, Litany, Benediction, and the Act of Consecration to the Blessed Virgin.  It will not be long, but will cap-off the month of May and our Day of Adoration.  Please come!  We all want Mary’s help in all that we do.  Give Mary the gift of your time and prayer to show that we really love her.  It is also the Feast of theVisitation of Mary to Elizabeth—a major feast!

Thursday is our Community Red Cross Blood Drive at Holy Childhood School cafeteria. The time will be from 2 to 7 P.M.  With all of the weather tragedies this past week, the blood reserve has been challenged greatly.  Thank God the Red Cross had it ready to go wherever it was needed.  However, we need to replenish the supply for any future needs.  If you can give blood, please come and save a life.  For all of the high school students who gave blood at school, I ask you to come and give again to show that you really care, and are dedicated to saving lives.  And for all of you regular donors, ask a friend, a family member, anyone you think could give blood!  We need your support!

Next Sunday, the only mass will be at 10:00 A.M. in the park, followed by a potluck dinner, a “service fair” displaying all of the many organizations and services and ministries active in our parish.  I am sure you would be surprised at all that is going on in our parish, and the many groups that you might want to participate in.  The purpose of the Ministry Fair is to give you an opportunity to become more involved in our parish activities, and share your talents.  It also gives you a chance to see what a parish does --  more than just Mass on Sundays and holydays.  Come to the mass at 10:00, check out the food, and visit the various booths, and have fun!  (We will have Saturday evening mass at 5:30 PM as usual.)