Father Hathaway’s Column — May 12, 2024
THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD
Today, May 12, we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord into heaven, 40 days after His Resurrection (Acts 1:1-11) in the presence of the Apostles and the Blessed Mother. “He presented Himself alive to them,” and although they were filled with fear, they saw His wounds and were filled with joy and astonishment.” Then, “as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him from their sight.” Their anxiety was met with peace and joy.
On the feast of the Ascension, we are called to rejoice both in the victory of Jesus over sin and death and in the glorious life He has secured for us. We pray that we will experience the new life that is ours in Christ.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
On May 10 and 11, 100 second-grade students from our parish school and CCD program received their First Holy Communion. It is always a great joy and inspiration for me to celebrate this Sacrament of Initiation for our young boys and girls, seeing first-hand how reverent and eager they are to receive Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist for the very first time. Please join me in praying they will continue to approach the tenets of their Catholic faith with that same devotion for the rest of their lives, especially our essential belief that Jesus Christ is really and truly present — Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity — in the Holy Eucharist.
I am very grateful to the parents of these children; they are the principal and first educators of their children and role models in the ways of our beautiful Catholic faith. That isn’t always easy amidst the challenges of our contemporary, secular, often unsettled society. My thanks, also, to their school teachers and the dedicated catechists who helped bring them to their first encounter with Christ in the Eucharist. A special thank you to Susan Gray and Yunchong Boyle, our CCD coordinators, and Rob Loia, our school principal, for their ongoing support of our religious formation program.
CELEBRATING ALL MOTHERS!
Today, May 12, also is Mother’s Day, a secular holiday in which we remember and honor all of our mothers – living and deceased. No greater example of God’s unconditional love for His children can be found than the love expressed through the vocation of motherhood. Saint Therese of Lisieux said it beautifully: “The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.”
A Prayer of Blessing for Mothers
Loving God, as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children, bless all mothers, that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers. 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.
If you have not done so already, you still can honor a loved one through our 2024 Mother’s Day Novena of Masses. Please see page 7 of this week’s bulletin for information on how to enroll someone in the novena or click here.