Dear Parishioners,
The first thing I saw upon entering Quigley Seminary South was the famous Benedictine motto written in Latin, “Ora et labora” - Prayer and Work! A good seminarian, and for that matter, a good priest must be willing to engage in both disciplines.
This weekend we celebrate First Communion, a time of grand celebrations as the children receive the Lord Jesus for the first time at the Eucharist. This Easter sacrament draws us to intimacy with Jesus - food from heaven and then sends us out into service in His name.
We pray for our young children and their families. May they adopt the motto of “prayer and work” for their life. We all know that today’s childlike innocence will eventually fall away as they face the challenges of adulthood. Hopefully, they will persevere rooted in this beautiful motto.
Please remember, the Easter faith is not simply about conversations that lead to simply to “all talk.” Our faith demands that we confront, first of all, ourselves and our own shortcomings and then begin doing the hard work of being Christ to others. Our prayers and hard work help us to see ourselves and others clearly. These spiritual disciplines move us out from being sentimental and soft.
Please ask the Lord to give our young families the courage to face the challenges that lay before them and to reach out to those in need.
Peace,
Fr. Mike Meany
