Strengthen Your Brethren - Corpus Christi - June 18, 2006
This weekend’s observance of the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (also known as Corpus Christi) is “intended to teach the faithful how to share in the Eucharistic sacrifice and to have it more profoundly influence their life, to revere the presence of Christ the Lord in this sacrament, and to offer the thanks due for God’s gifts” (Caeremoniale Episcoporum, 385). Besides centering your week in the Mass on the Lord’s Day, making that extra effort to participate in the Mass during the weekdays is one way to live this feast of Corpus Christi throughout the year! Come to weekday Mass! Another excellent practice is to offer time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament – stop in church to make a visit when you are in the neighborhood or take part in the Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament on First Fridays. What graces the Eucharistic Lord desires to bestow on us, our families, our parish, our community, and the world!
Happy Father’s Day to all the men of our parish, especially those who have been called by Almighty God to the vocation of husband and father. “God our Father, in your wisdom and love you made all things. Bless these men, that they may be strengthened as Christian fathers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen” (Book of Blessings, 1733).
I received the following note addressed to our parish from Father Sebastian Kolodziejczyk, the successor of our beloved Father Joe Walijewski at the Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II Orphanage in Lima, Peru: “As you probably have heard, Father Joe passed away last month on April 11th. Despite his advancing age, it was a shock for all of us. Over the past few months, it seemed as though God was letting him say his ‘good-byes’ to many people. During Bishop Listecki’s visit in February, together with many friends from Lima, we celebrated Casa Hogar’s 20th anniversary. During the same visit, Father Joe and I traveled with Bishop Listecki, Father Hirsch, and Father Scheckel to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the mission there, which Father Joe also founded. Just a few weeks prior to his death, Father enjoyed his birthday dinner, complete with Mariachis, with the children and staff of Casa Hogar. And two days before he died, Father Joe celebrated his last Mass with the kids; it was Palm Sunday. Wakes for Father Joe were here at Casa Hogar as well as in Villa El Salvador, a large shantytown outside of Lima, where Father Joe founded his first parish. The Funeral Mass was held at Lurin’s Cathedral; concelebrating were five bishops and over thirty priests. The Cathedral was overflowing and over 1200 people followed his coffin back to Casa Hogar where he was laid to rest in the Grotto of Our Lady of the Assumption on the hillside behind Casa Hogar. Before Father’s death, we were also very busy with our sixth annual medical mission. This year we had two eye surgeons who, with their team, successfully operated on 47 children. We continue to press forward on our plans for our own clinic. Once again, I would like to thank you for your faithful support. May God bless you.” You can make a virtual visit to Casa Hogar on the World Wide Web at www.hogarjuanpablo2.org.
Saint Peter, pray for us! Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!