We wish all mothers a very happy Mother’s Day!

From Sunday, May 14, through Monday, May 22, we will remember at daily Mass all mothers, living and deceased, in our Mother’s Day Novena.

We take this special occasion to say “thank you” and pray that God will always cherish those who gave us life.

Amid the Crisis of Communal Commitment

“In our time humanity is experiencing a turning-point in its history, as we can see from the advances being made is so many fields. We can only praise the steps being taken to improve people’s welfare in areas such as health care, education and communications. At the same time we have to remember that the majority of our contemporaries are barely living from day to day, with dire consequences.

A number of diseases are spreading. The hearts of many people are gripped by fear and desperation, even in the so-called rich countries. The joy of living frequently fades, lack of respect for others, and violence are on the rise, and inequality is increasingly evident. It is a struggle to live and, often, to live with precious little dignity.

This epochal change has been set in motion by the enormous qualitative, quantitative, rapid and cumulative advances occurring the sciences and technology, and by their instant application in different areas of nature and of life. We are in an age of knowledge and information, which has led to new and often anonymous kinds of power.”

A Very Happy Mother’s Day!

Today’s Gospel gives us many memorable quotes: “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” “in my Father’s house there are many dwelling places,” and “I am the way the truth and the life,” and from the rst letter of Peter: “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own.”This is what we have been given by Jesus; this gives us our identity. Christianity in its early years was called “The Way.” This was to protect the early Christians from persecution, but all of those who followed “The Way” knew what that meant. Through our celebration of Easter, we have recommitted ourselves to con- tinue our journey on “The Way.”

This week we join with the churches in our Parish Cluster – St. John the Baptist, Holy Cross, Holy Innocents, and Sts. Cyril and Methodius – for the Parish Mission titled “Revive: Faith Every Day.” Elsewhere in the bulletin is information of “Revive” with Fr. Innocent Smith, O.P., the speaker each evening. We are the host for these three evenings – Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 6:30 PM. Please join us along with our guests!

Next Sunday is the annual Korean Bazaar. There will be delicious Korean food, tables with items for sale, and many Korean specialties. It begins at 10 AM and goes through the afternoon until 5 PM on Broadway between 31st and 32nd Street. Don’t miss this annual event!

Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M