Feast of Pentecost

News and Notes:  Monday is Memorial Day, a day set aside every year by our nation to honor those who have died serving our country in a branch of the military.  It also a day to give thanks for all the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces, past and present, and to express our personal gratitude to our veterans for defending us and our values here and abroad.  Since it is customary for people to visit the graves of our fallen heroes and loved ones in cemeteries on Memorial Day, I want to include a prayer one can use when visiting a cemetery: 

Almighty God and Father, by the mystery of the cross, you have made us strong; by the sacrament of the resurrection you have sealed us as your own.  Look kindly upon these servants, now freed from the bonds of mortality, and count them among your saints in heaven.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

We do have another seminarian joining us this summer.  His name is Paul Wargovich, who graduated from Providence College this spring and is preparing to continue his priestly formation at St. John’s Seminary School of Theology n Brighton in the Fall.  Paul will be with us for eight weeks this summer and will be living at the OLA White House long with Francis Pham.  Join me in welcoming Paul to our Collaborative beginning June 1.  Here is the latest 2015 Catholic Appeal update:  As of May 12, 92 St. Maria Goretti families had pledged $19,470 which is 69% of the SMG goal of $28,078; and 182 Our Lady of the Assumption families had pledged $40,468, which is 73% of the OLA goal of $55,512.  If you have made a pledge already, thank you.  If not, please consider a generous pledge to help us reach our respective goals as soon as possible.  Pledge cards are available at the entrances of our churches or you can go to our website and find a link to the Catholic Appeal.  Blessings to all of you in the week ahead!