A Blessed and Happy Father’s Day!

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ: Corpus Christi. Our celebration brings back memories of Holy Thursday when we participated in the Lord’s Supper, the Washing of the Feet and the Procession to the Altar of Repose. What we celebrate each Sunday is the highlight of our week – the most important event of the week. Think for a moment: how many years have you been receiving Jesus, the Bread of Life. I’m sure some of those memories are of times when you were at a happy event – First Communion, a wedding, a graduation, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter. At other times you may have received Jesus at a sad occasion – a funeral, with someone who was ill, after a divorce, during your own illness. Jesus is there for us at various moments and events in our lives as well as each Sunday. He is “food for the journey.” Whether it is a smooth, direct journey or a bumpy, frustrating journey – he is there for us. Take time today to thank Jesus for being our faithful companion.

Special thanks to all those who worked so hard to make the Feast of St. Anthony a success: to our sta , our volunteers, and to all who came. It was a hot New York day, but it didn’t keep anyone away. Our love for St. Anthony is certainly obvious ; he is a great friend to so many people.

Later this week on Thursday, we will be celebrating the Silver and Golden Jubilees of a number of our Friars who have lived the vowed Franciscan life for 25 and 50 years. Congratulations and our prayerful wishes go to our Brothers!

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.