FIRST COMMUNION
Congratulations to our young people from Sacred Heart and from St. Bridget’s who made their First Holy Communion last weekend and this weekend. The day of our First Communion is a day we all remember. It is a day when the Lord is especially close to us. It is also a day when parents and grandparents see a young person take the next step after Baptism to fuller participation in the life of the Church.
I hope our First Communicants will not only cherish this day in memory but see each Mass as a time when they can embrace the Lord as Redeemer, Savior and friend in Communion. Pope John Paul II once remarked (in a homily for First Communion) that we may have many different friends in our lives that come and go, but Jesus will always be there as Savior and friend in all the stages and phases of our life.
I pray that our young people will grow in love and reverence for our Eucharistic Lord. I also thank their parents and teachers who helped them come to this point in their lives. We pray that these young people will not only grow in wisdom and age but also in grace through Holy Communion.
May they and we never lose sight of the transforming encounter that every Holy Communion can be for us. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us (at 1387), “To prepare for worthy reception of this sacrament, the faithful should observe the fast required…Bodily demeanor (gestures, clothing) ought to convey the respect, solemnity and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest.”
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The Parish Picnic is a little over two weeks away. This year, we are downsizing a bit to give a more relaxed tone to the afternoon on picnic day which is June 2nd. I hope you will have a chance to come and spend some time. There will be amusements, food and fellowship. The Parish Picnic is the one day of the year when all the parish groups work together on the same event. Come by and spend some time at the picnic. Let’s all pray for good weather.
If you would like to volunteer for some portion of the afternoon, please call Susan Angle at 540-327-7922.
In Our Lord,
Father Stan Krempa
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Bishop Lori explains the importance of the Fortnight for Freedom and the impact on our First Freedom.
