A very happy Mothers’ Day to all the women of our parishes! May the Lord richly bless all of you – those chosen by God to be mothers both biologically and spiritually as well as those called to exercise a motherhood of faith alone! The following passage from the 1995 Encyclical Letter The Gospel of Life Evangelium vitae of Saint John Paul II seems a fitting mediation for Mothers’ Day in light of the attacks against women and innocent human life unleashed in our day in our nation and world. The words of our late great Holy Father are a timely reminder (104): “In the Book of Revelation, the ‘great portent’ of the ‘woman’ (12:1) is accompanied by ‘another portent which appeared in Heaven’: ‘a great red dragon’ (Revelation 12:3), which represents Satan, the personal power of evil, as well as all the powers of evil at work in history and opposing the Church’s mission. Here too Mary sheds light on the community of believers. The hostility of the powers of evil is, in fact, an insidious opposition which, before affecting the disciples of Jesus, is directed against His Mother. To save the life of Her Son from those who fear Him as a dangerous threat, Mary has to flee with Joseph and the Child into Egypt (see Matthew 2:13-15). Mary thus helps the Church to realize that life is always at the center of a great struggle between good and evil, between light and darkness. The dragon wishes to devour ‘the child brought forth’ (see Revelation 12:4), a figure of Christ, whom Mary brought forth ‘in the fullness of time’ (Galatians 4:4) and whom the Church must unceasingly offer to people in every age. But in a way that child is also the figure of every person, every child, especially every helpless baby whose life is threatened, because as the [Second Vatican] Council reminds us – ‘by His Incarnation the Son of God has united Himself in some fashion with every person’ ( Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, 22). It is precisely in the ‘flesh’ of every person that Christ continues to reveal Himself and to enter into fellowship with us, so that rejection of human life, in whatever form that rejection takes, is really a rejection of Christ. This is the fascinating but also demanding truth which Christ reveals to us and which His Church continues untiringly to proclaim: ‘Whoever receives one such child in my Name receives me’ (Matthew 18:5); ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me’ (Matthew 25:40).”

On this weekend we can all say “Thank you, mom, for receiving me as a gift!”

In our parishes, the terms of some members of the Pastoral Council are expiring. Please give prayerful consideration to the nomination of their replacements. To nominate a parishioner (including yourself) simply submit the name (or names) of the nominee(s) in writing by placing it in the offertory collection basket, mailing it to the Central Office, or emailing it to my Administrative Assistant, Becky Schmitt ( [email protected]). A parishioner is eligible to serve on the Pastoral Council who: (1) is at least sixteen years of age; (2) is baptized, confirmed, and registered member of the parish in full communion with the Catholic Church; (3) is willing and able to serve for the elected or appointed term; (4) is a contributing member of the parish in prayer, time, talent and treasure; and (5) maintains a public posture not inconsistent with the teachings of the Church. In order to serve fruitfully on the Pastoral Council, the councilor should be wise and prudent – a committed Catholic with the capacity for study, for reflection, and for reaching sound conclusions. Nominations close after Masses on Sunday, May 11. Elections in all three parishes will be held at all Masses next weekend.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! Saint Luke, pray for us!
Father Kevin C. Louis, STL