Mother’s Day – “I will not leave you orphans.”
Jesus in the Gospel today gives heartfelt words of encouragement to the Apostles on the night that he would later be arrested. The Twelve had to be filled with anxiety and worry as the atmosphere in Jerusalem was getting more toxic, even fatal, for Jesus. But he calmly assures them, “I will not leave you orphans,” – spoken just like a devoted parent to uptight children. We know how much our own mother loved us and consistently promised to not abandon us in times of stress. Our mother’s love for us should give us a clue as to how much “motherly” love Jesus has for us. Or for the mothers among us, just think how much you were deeply concerned about not leaving your children alone or in an unsafe situation. If you know how deeply you feel about protecting your own children, then you can appreciate what Jesus feels for you, his precious and beloved children. Jesus even promises to send another “advocate” or helper to “be with you always,” namely God’s Holy Spirit. Indeed, our Lord God will never leave us alone during life’s most difficult challenges, or even in the easier situations of our daily life.
Happy Mother’s Day: To all our mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, and those with motherly love!
May Mary, the loving Mother of Jesus and our Blessed Mother too, stand beside you and guide you in your role as a “mother,” and may God bless you for the endless hours of love and care you have shown to your “children” in so many wonderful ways!
Come Celebrate My Golden Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood!
This coming Saturday, May 20, at the 4 p.m. Mass, I will be celebrating with the St. Bernadette Parish Family my 50 years being a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
You are invited to the 5 p.m. Parish Pizza Party in our gym after the 4 p.m. Mass. But you must make a reservation by Monday, May 15 by calling the Parish Office, so that we know how much pizza to order and how many beverage we need to have. Also there is no charge. Just your company and your prayers are requested.
Annual Catholic Appeal – Thank you!
Congratulations to the St. Bernadette generous members who helped us attain our Parish Goal for the ACA of about $19,000. The parish chairpersons, Mike & Margie Gacioch and Tom & Diane Butler, thank you; I thank you; the Archbishop thanks you; the thousands of folks in our St. Louis region who receive the benefit of the ACA thank you; and finally the Lord thanks for helping so many of his people!!!
If you still need to make your annual pledge to help out, just mail your pledge card to the Parish Office or the Archdiocese (we will get credit for it). If everyone who has not made a pledge yet would make a gift to the ACA, we could attain our “Celebration Goal” of $23,000 for our parish.
Congratulations to Two of Our Young People Who Received Sacraments Recently:
Confirmation at the Cathedral – Augustin Smith, and First Communion – Felicity Simoncic
“All Things New” Pastoral Initiative
With only two weeks until Archbishop Rozanski announces his prayerful decisions about the restructuring of the number of parishes in the Archdiocese, let us pray each day:
“Jesus, the Resurrected One, we in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, ask you to help us to move forward in hope as we plan for our future. Strengthen us through the Eucharist to be more courageous and encourage us to be more humble. Stir the Spirit that dwells within us as we move forward. At all times, lead us, Lord. Amen!