“The readings today, of course, present again the truth that God is One in Three Persons. Preaching pro-life on the Feast of the Holy Trinity leads us to comment on the reality of ‘communio’. . . A particular application is in the matter of abortion. 

"There are no two human beings closer than a mother and her unborn child. Abortion disrupts, denies, and distorts the union of these two persons, and in doing so, further destroys family and societal unity. . . 

"Standing for life and protecting the unborn means fostering the ‘communio’ we see, in its ultimate form, in the Trinity. Life is preserved precisely when it is given away in self-sacrificing love.” (priestforlife.org) 

If slavery were legal today, would all the clergy preach against this inherent evil? Would every Christian act to end slavery? Or would the clergy be speaking of “prayerful and practical” support for the freed slaves? Would Christians avoid the politics of slavery? All of these questions can be applied to abortion. Politicians have made abortion a political issue, but abortion is, first and foremost, a moral issue. Until abortion is ended, we will continue to see desensitization to human life as evidenced by the steady increase of violence in cities like Baltimore. PRAY and ACT to end abortion.

Eighth and Ninth Months (size: about 18 inches) In the last two months the baby continues to gain weight. She is developing a layer of fat that will keep her warm after birth. In the 9th month she will shift to a head-down position, preparing for birth. Her lungs are now fully developed and capable of making the transition to breathing air. After birth she will continue the human growth process for approximately the next 80 years.

We will celebrate the birth of our Spiritually-Adopted babies in July with a Baby Shower for BirthRight Crisis Pregnancy Center. Please watch for information.

Join the Respect Life Ministry.  If you are interested in joining the St. Mary’s Respect Life ministry, please email Deborah Brocato at debbrocato@aol.com. 

“You’re invited to join Archbishop Lori’s Corpus Christi event at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 19 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore. Join an Archdiocesan Mass and Eucharistic Procession for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The procession immediately follows Mass. This is a family-friendly event that includes free Kona Ice and kid’s bounce houses. First Communicants are welcome to wear their First Communion outfits.”

Fourth of July Frassati Cookout - In honor of Independence Day and the feast of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (both celebrated on the 4^th of July), the Baltimore Frassati Fellowship at Saints Philip and James is hosting a cookout. The invitation is open to all Catholic young adults in the greater Baltimore area. Please sign up at https://forms.gle/PJzeXXGm4NxHkMF68 to let them know if you will be coming and if you are able to bring food or drink. The cookout beings at 5:00 p.m. and the group will head downtown in time for fireworks at 9:30 p.m. July 4 at 5 p.m. at SS. Philip and James, 2801 N Charles St., Baltimore.

Adorers Needed at the Basilica – Sign up to pray before Our Lord at the Pope Saint John Paul II Eucharistic Adoration Chapel located at the Basilica of the Assumption. Specifically, they are looking for adorers for the following times:

Healing Mass, Sunday, June 12, 2 PM, Catholic Community of St Francis Xavier.  Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick will be administered during Mass. Afterward, prayer teams will pray for those seeking healing or in proxy for another. For more information:   www.sfxcityofgod.org or call: 443-386-9512 or the parish office at 410-785-0356.

Solemn Vespers, Corpus Christi Sunday, June 19, 5 PM, Basilica of the Assumption 4:30 PM, a brief program of choral and organ preludes. The Basilica Schola Cantorum will sing the choral items of the prelude program and will lead the singing of the psalmody and Magnificat during Vespers. All are welcome to attend to pray and sing this ancient liturgy of the Church.

Catholic 301: The Spirit of the Liturgy, Saturday mornings, 9:00-10:30 a.m. July 9, 16, 23, and 30, Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.  All are invited to a four-week study of Joseph Ratzinger’s influential book The Spirit of the Liturgy led by Father Justin Gough. Classes will be held in the Cathedral Parish Center. 

Topics will include what Ratzinger has to say about the essence of the liturgy what role art and music play in the liturgy, and what it means for us to be active participants in liturgical celebrations. Register in advance to receive the syllabus and a link to purchase the book. Please register in advance

THREAD: Building a New Social Fabric in Baltimore. At a time when many people feel disconnected from neighbors and community, an organization in Baltimore brings together people of all ages, races, and socioeconomic status to end social isolation and build a more equitable culture in which everyone thrives. Thread, a local non-profit, harnesses the power of relationships to create a new social fabric of diverse individuals deeply engaged with young people facing the most significant opportunity and achievement gaps. 

Thread matches every young person it enrolls with an extended family of up to four volunteers from across the region who provide tailored support like rides to school, weekend dinners, or navigating transitions to adulthood. This customized support provided by Thread Families aims to increase outcomes like high school graduation rates, post-high school pathways, and a greater sense of belonging for everyone in our community. 

If you’d like to be part of transformational change and build a more connected Baltimore, visit thread.org/get-involved/volunteer/ to learn more about volunteer opportunities at Thread!”