Dear Parishioners, I write these words from Washington D.C. I arrived safely on Monday, May 29th, Memorial Day. The drive took about seven hours and fortunately there was not heavy traffic. I am staying at the Church of the Little Flower in Bethesda, MD. St. Teresa is still with me even as I am down here. I met the pastor here, Msgr. Peter Vaghi, when I visited a classmate of mine staying at this parish. Monsignor has been very gracious to me, as well as all the other priests in residence here. All told, there are five priests living at this parish (including me).
The class schedule is quite full. I have three classes each month, each day, Monday through Friday, 8:30am-3:20pm. I have some time between classes to rest. I find the experience of being back in the classroom a bit surreal. I often wonder what year I am in, as the last time I was in the classroom as a student was in 2016. I have a lot to read to say the least.
Life in our own parish continued to flourish. Our school hosted a concert this past Wednesday. Ms. Maddie O’Brien, our school music teacher prepared the students all year for their performance. She has also been instrumental (pun intended) preparing our students for our once-a-month Solemn School Mass (we have school Masses every week, but the solemn Masses have music). With her preparation the students are singing (well and loudly) at Mass.
This week we celebrate our 8th Grade Graduation Mass on Friday June 9th. I will fly back from DC and celebrate that Mass. I will also give the invocation and benediction at the Pawtucket Firefighters Memorial Celebration on Sunday. It is an honor to be the new chaplain to the Pawtucket Fire Department. Please pray for the repose of the souls of the firefighters who have passed away.
Finally, as I announced at last week’s Mass we made our Catholic Charity Appeal Goal once again. With our donations we helped the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the refugee and so many others. Thank you to those who donated and to those who prayed for the success of the campaign.