We Remember Pope Francis

Dear Parishioners,

The Church and the world has said goodbye to Pope Francis. Through our liturgies surrounding and after his death the Church has given praise and thanks to God for the wonderful gift that Pope Francis was to us. The world and people of many different faiths expressed great love and appreciation for what Pope Francis shared with us in so many ways.

Along with you, I will miss Pope Francis; I will miss his wisdom, guidance, love for God, Jesus and the Church; I will miss his powerful example of speaking the truth, exuding a joyful spirit and his love and closeness to the poor.

During the past two weeks many parishioners have expressed to me their own love for Pope Francis and their sadness because of his death. His long hospitalization and life-threatening illness suggested his remaining time with us would be short; still his death overnight on the morning of Easter Monday took us by surprise.

Many have shared in some way in the various liturgies that have celebrated and mourned the death of Pope Francis. We have not had the opportunity to do so as a parish faith community. As I prayed and reflected over the loss of Pope Francis, it took me a little time to understand how we might come together to commemorate the life and death of Pope Francis.

Earlier this year we had a day when we celebrated Mass together and prayed for healing. We learned that day a valuable lesson. When we have a special day of prayer, it is helpful to gather both in the afternoon and evening. An afternoon gathering allows those who find it more difficult to come out in the evening to join us for the special day of prayer. An evening gathering allows those with busy days to participate.

On Monday, May 5, we will pray as a parish community for Pope Francis. We will have two parish Masses, one at 1:00PM and another at 7:00PM. Joining parishioners at 1:00PM Mass will be the children of our parish school. All are invited to the 7:00PM Mass. Offering these two Masses hopefully will allow all parishioners who wish to join to give thanks and praise to God for Pope Francis.

We are now awaiting the beginning of the conclave and we anticipate the news of receiving a new Holy Father. As we pray for Pope Francis on Monday, May 5 at 1:00PM and 7:00PM, we will also pray for the Church during this important time. We are confident that the Holy Spirit will be present at the conclave and will give us a pope that has the wisdom, love, and holiness that we so revered in the gift of Pope Francis. I hope you are able to be with us on Monday, May 5^th at either the 1:00PM or 7:00PM Mass.

Fr. Tom

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