Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The feast of the Assumption was first celebrated near Jerusalem where it is said that Mary rested on her way to Bethlehem. By the end of the fifth century, the feast was celebrated at her tomb in the basilica in Gethsemane. Originally, the feast was called the Dormition, “the falling asleep of Mary.” The word “Assumption” wasn’t used until around 770 A.D. Devotion to Mary grew, but liturgical prayer remained vague until November 1, 1950, when Pope Pius XII, in his apostolic constitution, Munificentissimus Deus, declared the Assumption dogma.

Each year all Catholic church parishes participate in the missionary activity of the Roman Catholic Church. There are three goals of the Missionary Cooperative Plan: a) to educate the people of the Archdiocese regarding the missionary work of Christ, b) to solicit prayers and financial support for the missionaries, and c) to harmonize efforts and guarantee a fair distribution of aid. This year the Diocese of Obala, Cameroon was assigned by Archbishop Aymond for the appeal. As I mentioned earlier, because of the COVID-19 pandemic the missionary for the Diocese of Obala, Cameroon will not be present for the appeal. I will incorporate the appeal message into my homily this weekend. The second collection this weekend will be for the Diocese of Obala, Cameroon.

When we come together today, as we do each Sunday, we receive the Lord—the Bread of Life—in the Eucharist. As we continue to listen to the Discourse on the Bread of Life from the sixth chapter of the Gospel of Saint John, we are reminded that on the journey of Life, no matter its twists and turns, the Lord continues to travel with us and to care for us, nourishing us with heavenly food as He once fed the Israelites in the desert. The Eucharistic Lord satisfies our hunger. When we receive the Lord, in the Eucharist and into our hearts, He brings fullness, mission, God’s grace, and the promise of everlasting life into our lives.

In today’s Gospel we hear the story of the feeding of the five thousand. This story is found in all of the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Beginning this weekend until the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 22) the Gospel will be from the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. Chapter Six of John’s Gospel is known as “The Bread of Life” discourse. Saint John devotes an entire chapter on Jesus as the Bread of Life—the Eucharist.

Today, our parish will take up the 137th annual National Black and Indian Mission Collection. Our support of this collection helps build the Church in African American, Native American, and Alaska Native communities from coast to coast. Schools, parish religious education programs, and diocesan ministries depend on your generosity to help them spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

We have responded to the call of the Lord by gathering together in this holy place to worship God, to listen to the Word, and to share in the Eucharist. When we leave, we are asked to go forth as changed persons, nourished by the Lord so that we can witness to our faith outside these four walls. In today’s Gospel, the disciples are set out on their first missionary venture. Jesus sent the disciples out to carry on His mission, empowering them with His authority. Through baptism, we have been empowered by Christ to carry on His mission.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY OR HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! As we celebrate the anniversary of our independence, we come together as a faith community appreciative of our freedom to worship as we desire, while continually aspiring to build a more perfect union. In places of worship across this country, we gather to give praise to God for the blessings that we have received. May we always remember that we belong to “one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Today’s opening antiphon invites us to clap our hands and shout with joy, for our God is a God of life. God brought life to the world at creation, making us in the divine image. Jesus brought new life to the world, redeeming us and preparing us for eternal life with the Lord. We come here today, as we do each Sunday, to hear the Word of God, to be nourished in the Eucharist, and to give praise and glory to God. May our lives, energized by the Holy Spirit, witness to the wonderful generosity of our God—our God of life.

The Parish Office Summer Hours starts on May 27, 2021 Mon - Thu, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm (closed Fridays)

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! To all our fathers, grandfathers, godfathers (parrains), and father figures in our lives, may your day be filled with God’s Blessings. May Saint Joseph, foster father of Jesus, and protector of the Universal Church, continue to guide you. Father’s Day is always celebrated on the third Sunday in June. This year, Father’s Day, is the official first day of summer. Of course, we have been in “summer mode” for a few weeks now. May all our dads who are no longer with us, rest in eternal peace.

As we return to Ordinary Time on Sundays, the harvest images provide a framework for stories of growth in this week’s Liturgy. The First Reading from the Prophet Ezekiel stirs our imagination with a flourish of nature images of various stages of growth. In the Gospel of Saint Mark, Jesus invites the crowds to envision the Kingdom of God in two ways. First, is an analogy of the kingdom at harvest time, after much patience and nurturing the seed. The second parable tells the familiar story of the tiny mustard seed. Jesus uses images of agriculture in the Gospel to help the people understand His message. Although farming is dependent on many variables the farmer has no control over; however, the seed of faith planted in our hearts is totally in our control. Will we take the time to weed? Will we take the time to water? May the seed of faith planted within each of us continue to grow each day.

Welcome to all parishioners and guests who are returning to celebrate Mass with us since the pandemic began. Your presence was missed, and we are glad that you have returned to be part of our faith community on this Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi. Every time we gather for the Eucharist, we offer simple gifts of bread and wine that become Christ’s Body and Blood for all to share. These basic staples of food and drink that we bring to the altar become the flesh and blood of our Savior. His Body and Blood nourish us as we carry out His mission.

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Trinity. At a young age, we learned to make the Sign of the Cross and the accompanying prayer: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” We have lost track on the number of times we have said this prayer while making the Sign of the Cross. We say this when we enter a church, when we begin Mass, when we pray. It is our identity. It reminds us that we are in the presence of God. It joins us to millions of other Christians across time and space. It expresses our belief in the Triune God. Three persons in one God enabled God to become incarnate—enabled God to come down upon us in baptism—and enables God to be with us here today and every day. As we celebrate the Feast of the Trinity, let us contemplate the great wonders God has done and continues to do in our daily lives.

Today is the fiftieth (50th) day of Easter. The Church concludes the Easter season on the Solemnity of Pentecost. In fire and wind, the Spirit of the Lord descends with God’s seven -fold gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. From the time of our Baptism, we have been blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit operates in us, guiding us, and strengthening us on our mission.

Today is the Solemnity of the Ascension. Up until recently the Ascension was celebrated forty days after Easter, thus celebrating the Ascension on Thursday. However, in most areas of the United States, Europe, and Australia, the Vatican gave approval for ecclesiastical provinces to transfer the feast to the Seventh Sunday of Easter. On the day Jesus ascended to heaven to remain with His Father, He commanded His disciples to carry on His ministry—proclaiming the good news to the whole world. Now we are that whole world. Now we are those disciples. Now we too are commissioned to go out and spread the good news!