Now that we are all aware that Fr. Kishore’s new assignment as the Administrator of St. Michael Parish, Monroe, begins on August 1, 2020. We have to live with the reality knowing that there will be only one priest for both the parishes from August onwards. We may have to do a little adjustment with a slight change in our Mass schedule. After expressing my thoughts and plans with the Parish Council through email, they were in agreement with the new schedule. Our Saturday Mass which was at 5:00 pm will be moved to 5:30 pm and on Sunday our first Mass will have to be at 8:30 am instead of 9:00 am, the 12 noon Mass will be at the same time.  At Our Lady of Loretto the Mass schedule was changed last year, and that is the schedule that will be followed, Saturday Mass at 4:00 pm and Sunday only one Mass at 10:00 am.

 With one priest not being able to be in both churches our weekday Mass schedule will change as well  – it will be like the summer schedule – Monday’s and Tuesday’s 8:30 am Mass will be at OLL, Thursday’s and Friday’s 8:30 am Mass will be at St. Val’s. At both the places daily Mass will be celebrated in the Church. Sacrament of Penance as of now we will keep it on Saturday at OLL beginning at 2:45 instead of 3:15pm. We will see how the confession schedule will work for now. If we have to make some changes, we can work that out as well.  

 I know none of us like change but lately we have seen that many things have changed with the fear of Corona Virus and we have all learned to make those adjustments knowing that it’s for our good and for the good of others.  If we are able to make the above-mentioned changes with a mind of working together, we will be able to move ahead smoothly.

This weekend’s Gospel is part of the instructions Jesus gives to his disciples after he has commissioned them to preach about the kingdom of God – Matthew 10:26-33. IN this Gospel passage we hear Jesus say three times, “Do not be afraid.” Jesus encouraged the disciples not to be afraid, not to give up on their mission of sharing God’s Good News with others. And he promises that we will never be alone in our efforts to do what is right.

What a beautiful piece of advice for all of us as we move forward. Let us not give up in doing what is right. The Lord promises to be with us and with Him at our side we have no reason to fear.

We wish all Fathers, Happy Fathers day and we ask the Lord to bless each one of you in your  roles as dads, godfathers, grandfathers and guardians.

A Prayer of Blessing on Fathers

Heavenly Father,
you entrusted your Son Jesus,
the child of Mary,
to the care of Joseph, an earthly father.
Bless all fathers
as they care for their families.
Give them strength and wisdom,
tenderness and patience;
support them in the work they have to do,
protecting those who look to them,
as we look to you for love and salvation,
through Jesus Christ our rock and defender. Amen.

 – Author Unknown

Blessings,
Fr. Socorro

• For health care workers who are selflessly treating coronavirus patients during this epidemic, may God grant them fortitude and deliver them safely at the end of each day, let us pray to the Lord.
• For civic and health care leaders who are coordinating responses to the crisis, may God give them wisdom, strength and compassion, let us pray to the Lord.
• For those infected with or recovering from the coronavirus, may Jesus, the Divine Physician, offer them hope and provide healing, let us pray to the Lord.
• For those who have died from the coronavirus, may they know the peace and joy of God’s love through all eternity, let us pray to the Lord.
• For those who face economic uncertainty because of the pandemic, may God graciously look upon their needs and bring them relief and peace, let us pray to the Lord.