Hello everyone. I hope you are well and keeping safe. Another Sunday rolls around! Happy Sunday! Fr. Luis, who had his first Mass of Thanksgiving here at IHM last week, will be heading to St Raymond's in the Bronx tomorrow to show up for his new assignment there as parochial vicar. We wish him well. The people of St Raymond parish will be so delighted. Thank you for your warm welcome and for all the support and prayers you have given to Fr. Luis.
On another note, Cardinal Dolan has instituted a "pastoral year" for seminarians finishing their second year of what we call "theology." Assigned to us, the priests and people of IHM, is Carlos Germosen. I think it is a real credit to you the parishioners of IHM that the cardinal would want a seminarian here under your tutelage. Carlos will be with us for the year to learn on the job training, to help out with liturgies, with our school, with our school of religion, to listen and to serve you the wonderful parishioners of IHM. Thank you in advance for welcoming Carlos to our great parish.
Tomorrow, July 6, is the feast day of St Maria Goretti. My pastor, Msgr. John Gallagher, had a strong devotion to her. He considered her a martyr for our crazy times especially to help youing people and the problems they get into on a regular basis. She was born of a poor family at Corinaldi, Italy in 1890. A very pious and prayerful young girl, she suffered at the hands of a neighbor who tried to rape her and thus in her struggle, she was stabbed to death but not before forgiving her assailant. Here are some of the words of Pope Pius XII at her canonization ceremony:
"From Maria's story, carefree children and young people with their zest for life can learn not to be led astray by attractive pleasures which are not only ephemeral and empty but also sinful. Instead, they can fix their sights on achieving Christian moral perfection, however difficult and hazardous that course may prove. With determination and God's help all of us can attain that goal by persistent effort and prayer."