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How Do I?

Fr. Tom’s Letters

 

Each week Fr. Tom writes a letter to parishioners in our bulletin.  Every letter is comprehensive, including current information about the Parish, an explanation of Scripture for that Sunday, and an invitation to become more engaged in the life of the parish.

 

 

 

 

June 15,  2025

Dear Parishioners,

Summer is that season that seems to begin before its official start date, late on Friday, June 20, 2025. With graduations well begun and many parish activities having end of year gatherings, summer is here. Our Sunday Mass schedule and daily Mass schedule remains as always; changes in August may be made in the daily Mass schedule depending upon the availability of the parish priests. There have been times in August when we celebrate one daily Mass at 9:00AM. We will determine that later in July.

The Sunday Mass schedule remains at it has been since last summer. We will continue the 9:00AM Mass on Sunday in the St. Francis Ministry Center. We will not have music at this Mass. We enjoyed a “summer experiment” last year with the 9:00AM Mass in the ministry center and it was very well received. Many parishioners enjoy the “summer feel” at Mass that the ministry center provides.

We all realize that Mass attendance declines during the summer months. This is for many reasons. When we are on summer vacations, an obligation to attend Sunday Mass remains. Still, I wonder if some persons could benefit from something that might give extra motivation to get to Sunday Mass during the summer. Here is a simple, and I hope helpful, suggestion.

1. Identify a person in your family, among your friends or acquaintances who needs your prayers. You may or may not tell the person you choose.

2. Make yourself (and the person, if you choose) a promise to pray for that person at Sunday Mass during the summer.

3. Make your weekend plans so that you make sure to get to Sunday Mass.

4. Bring your love and prayer for this person to Sunday Mass.

5. Attend Sunday Mass or Saturday evening Mass.

6. Bring your prayer for this person to Jesus.

Follow the above and you will meet your obligation to Sunday Mass and you will have given a great gift to a person you love – praying for them at Sunday Mass throughout the summer. Try it!

FATHER’S DAY

Today we celebrate Father’s Day. This is an important day to thank God for the gift of our father. Some of our dads are in heaven and we can include them in the Father’s Day Novena of Masses. Simply use the envelopes that are available around the church. Many will spend time with their dad today at a family barbecue or a family outing or visiting other family members. Some will have the privilege of celebrating a multi-generational Father’s Day with grandfathers and great grandfathers. Some will extend their celebration and express appreciation for godfathers and uncles. Whatever you do, enjoy a Blessed Father’s Day.

HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY

Today we celebrate the greatest mystery of our faith. The Holy Trinity – three persons in one God. We do not explain the mystery; more importantly, we live the mystery of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We experience the persons of the Holy Trinity at different times in our lives. We come to know the love the Father has for us from the beginning of creation. We know the sacrificed love of Jesus and his closeness to us in the Eucharist. We know the guidance, inspiration, protection, and leadership of the Holy Spirit. We don’t fully understand, yet we know God.

Have a peace-filled week!

Fr. Tom