I just returned from celebrating Mass and having supper with four of the Christian Brothers who live in our parish. It was very nice and most enjoyable. Today is the feast of St. Mutien Marie, who was a brother in Belgium who died in 1896. He was declared Blessed in less than 60 years, which was “the fast track” in those days and he was canonized by Pope John Paul II. He is a great model of patience and gentle teaching and from now on is one of my “patron saints”. Supper and the laughter and stories around the table was like being back in the seminary or the dinner table at St. B’s.
I am going to go up to RCIA and just check in and then I’ll head back across the street.
Yesterday went well at St. Mary’s. I had three Masses and I preached about the new policy from HHS that requires faith-based institutions to pay health insurance for thing we hold as immoral. Why does the government keep intruding into the churches???
A nice thing happened. One of my cousins, Mike McAleer brought me a package of pictures from his mom. They were of Aunt Babe and Uncle Charlie and other family members. It was very thoughtful of her to send them.
I got back in time to help with Communion at the 12:30 Mass, then I took a nap. I had the 5:30pm and again preached. At the end, a got some negative comments but mostly it was positive.
Then I went to the last session of the pre-Cana. It was the same couples I had met four Sundays ago. They were so good and the sharing was uplifting for me.
I was ready for bed by 10:30. Called Maggie to see what happened on “The Good Wife” as I had missed it. I really do have to learn how to record stuff!
Tomorrow I have the 8:00am Mass and then I will go out to St. Patrick’s for the funeral of Mr. Fangmeyer. He is the father of Fr. Lee Fangmeyer, who is the pastor of St. Michael’s in Ridge. He died very suddenly last week. Keep Fr. Lee in your prayers.
Just as I was about to leave, I got a phone call from Fr. Dan Morales in Texas. He will have surgery on Wednesday for the tumors that have returned. Keep him in your prayers also.
I am curious as to what negative comments Catholics would make about the church’s response to HHS….