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May 8, 2022Dear Parishioners,
Young boys and girls throughout Catholic parishes in Rhode Island receive their First Holy Communion in the month of May. Dressed in suits and dresses they approach the altar of the Lord for the first time to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. This weekend we celebrated the reception of First Holy Communion by our second graders. I want to thank our Director of Religious Education, Sue Levesque, our teachers and aids: Jaqueline Allard, Kendra Adams, and Kim DeMayo for all of their work preparing these children.
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati offered these words to young people and families:
"With all the strength of my soul I urge you young people to approach the Communion table as often as you can. Feed on this bread of angels whence you will draw all the energy you need to fight inner battles. Because true happiness, dear friends, does not consist in the pleasures of the world or in earthly things, but in peace of conscience, which we have only if we are pure in heart and mind."
The regular attendance at Mass and reception of Holy Communion is essential to building a relationship with Jesus Christ. Closely tied with the reception of the Sacrament is another person: Mary. As Catholics know, May is the month for Mary. Monday night rosary, and the crowning of Mary are hallmarks of this month. Traditionally, after making their First Holy Communion those children participate in the crowning of Mary. They place (usually with the help of a stool or step ladder) a crown of flowers on a statue of Mary. Here at St. Teresa; we did precisely that. This pious tradition helps us understand the Eucharist.
When our Lord gave His life for us on Good Friday, he spoke several words. To the beloved disciple He said: “Behold your mother.” On one level, Christ addresses a practical concern. Since his mother Mary had no other children, the Lord entrusts His mother to St. John ensuring that she was looked after. At a deeper level, however, in this act Christ entrusts Mary to the entire Church. One of His final commands directs all of us to love Mary.
The years immediately following the Second Vatican Council witnessed a certain eclipse of Marian devotion. These years are now not remembered for their clarity of Catholic thinking and devotion. Put simply, there is no Catholic life apart from Our Lady. If we want to draw near to Christ, heed His final command—behold your mother. How can we encourage families and their children to stay faithful to the Mass? The May Crowning devotion and Christ’s final command give us an answer: stay faithful to Mary.
Finally, budget envelopes have been sent out for the annual collection. Our parish’s annual collection runs throughout the months of May and June. While you may have received multiple envelopes with “Annual Collection” on them, we only ask for one contribution. This important collection helps defray the costs of unforeseen maintenance and upkeep at the parish. Thank you to all who have donated!
In the Risen Christ!
Fr. Barrow
