My dear parishioners,

It seems God is always teaching me something, usually about myself. One of those lessons came Saturday night when I had an episode of syncope. In other words, I fainted. I remember I had decided to go to bed early because I was very tired. I was heading for my room when my head started spinning. The next thing I remember I was on the floor with my face against the wall. My first thought was that I must have fallen asleep, and I continued getting ready for bed. Then it started dawning on me that something unusual had happened. Why was I sleeping in the doorway of my bedroom? And why were my glasses bent and smudged? I contacted my doctor and he advised me to send a heart reading from my defibrillator to the device clinic. Slowly the answers have been coming in. It was an episode of tachycardia. My heart was beating too fast to pump enough blood to my brain. That is typical of my heart condition. My device is designed to help my heart get to a normal rhythm either by pacing it down or, as a last resort, by sending a shock to it. The pacemaker engaged on Saturday night and my heart corrected itself, but I still lost consciousness. So, there may have to be some recalibration of the device. 

At this point, there are still some questions to be answered, but I can tell you that I am doing fine and trying to get some rest. I thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes. I am so grateful for you all and for our Deacons and staff, who jumped in and covered all the events last Sunday. I am also grateful for Fr. Andrew from St. Jude, who came to preside at Deacon Elijiah’s Mass of Thanksgiving at 11:00, and for all those who have helped cover the weekday Masses. God willing, the doctors will make the necessary adjustments and I will be back at the altar this coming weekend. In the meantime, be assured of my prayers for you all. 

God bless,

Fr. Don

Adoration is offered every Thursday and Friday from 9 AM-8 PM.  Prayerfully consider becoming a dedicated adorer! Spending one hour each week with Jesus will be the BEST hour of your week. It is an opportunity to sit with Him and open your heart to hear his message for you. It is required we have two people at all times with Jesus during Adoration. The time slots noted below are the biggest priority to fill. If you can assist, please email adoration@stgabriel.org. 

We will have a box in the Narthex to collect the above items from April 10 - 25, 2021. We will also be collecting Walmart Gift Cards (any denomination) in the Narthex after all Masses on April 17-18 and April 24-25.

We look forward to celebrating the Third Sunday of Easter with you this weekend.

Pax Christi