Even though we are officially in summer, lots of things are happening at our parish. As I announced at Masses a few weeks ago, our parish has once again made our Catholic Charity Appeal goal. As of June 2, 2022, 254 families and/or individuals have pledged a total of $51,578 of our $48,450 goal. Of that amount pledged, $47,275 has been paid. While our goal remained the same this year, the amount pledged and the number of parishioners who donated increased. That’s remarkable considering the difficult economic times our country is experiencing. Of course, when times are tough, those in need suffer the most. I am most grateful for our parish stepping up and helping in these difficult times.
Some of the lights in our parking lot alongside Newport Avenue were no longer functioning. Tom Henderson from Henderson Electric came by on Monday, June 6th and fixed them (alongside Tommy and Chris). I want to thank them for their excellent work and for helping to keep our parish safe at night.
This weekend we welcomed Mr. Joseph Brodeur as our summer seminarian. He will be with us until mid-August. He will serve both at St. Teresa and at St. John Paul II. I am trying to involve him in all aspects of priestly life (whether visiting classrooms at our school, serving Mass, visiting parish groups, leading liturgies at funeral homes, and visiting the sick). It is a joy to have him and a wonderful opportunity to help encourage and prepare a future priest. Please pray for him and for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
This past Friday we celebrated our 8th Grade Graduation Mass. One of the joys of being your pastor is the opportunity to minister at our parish school. While I have just finished my first year, this 8th grade class has continually impressed me throughout the year. I will miss them, and I pray for their continued success and holiness. May our patroness St. Teresa of the Child Jesus watch over them. Please pray for them as well that God continue the good work in them. We congratulate them and all St. Teresa parishioners who graduate from college and high school this year. St. Pope John Paul II once said to young people: “The future is in your hearts and hands. God is entrusting to you the task, at once difficult and uplifting, of working with Him to build the civilization of love.”
Finally, while we continue to mourn the tragedies in our own country from gun violence, on Pentecost Sunday at least 50 of our fellow Catholics were killed at St. Francis Church in Ondo, Nigeria. According to reports, the presiding priest was also kidnapped. In the face of such tragedy the faith of the people remains strong as they see in their struggles a link to Christ crucified. Despite the risk of attack, nearly all of Nigeria’s Catholics (30 million people) attend Mass each Sunday; vocations are booming and seminaries full. It is an inspiring image for us here in the US, where I am sorry to say, many miss Mass for less serious reasons. If they are willing to risk life to get to Mass, then they must see it in the glorious gift that it truly is. Pray and evangelize those around you here in the states so that they too can come to the realization: It is worth going to Mass no matter the risks (or the temptation to do other things).