For information about all of the news and events at the parish, please read the bulletin or our parish website. Here's a glimpse of what's coming up:

Today, Bishop Burbidge will ordain eight men to the priesthood, thanks be to God! He also ordained Fr. Elder Maldanado in Rome last Saturday, so the total of priests ordained for the Diocese of Arlington this year is nine! With only one priest retiring this year, we seem to be in good shape as a diocese. That being said, we continue to pray for men to answer the call to the priesthood and serve our diocese.

The communications office of our diocese prepared am excellent video introducing each of the newly ordained priests. In it, those to be ordained talk about what led them to the priesthood and how they see the priesthood. I encourage you to watch it, especially since it includes soon-to-be Father Tony Bennett, Mike Nugent, and Charles Wilton (who will be assigned here at St. Andrew's starting June 29). The video can be found here. The diocese has also published a list of all of the first Masses the newly ordained will celebrate after their ordination. If you would like to attend the first Mass of one or more of our newly ordained, the list is here.

The priesthood is a blessed and beautiful life. A recent survey showed that 77% of priests would describe themselves as flourishing in their vocation. I am not surprised by this, although in my own experience, I would say that the number is even higher. It makes great theological sense, for we know that all of us are made in the image and likeness of our God who is love and pours Himself out in perfect charity. We are meant to do the same. The more that we can offer to serve Him and others, the more fulfilled we will be. This is true for all of us, and especially vital to the priest.

All vocations are meant to lead us to greater self-sacrifice. We think of the husband and wife who offer their lives for each other, to love and honor their spouse for the rest of their lives. We think of the parents who sacrifice for their young children without expecting anything in return. We think of the religious brother or sister who turns from the things of the world to serve God and others. Each one of us, no matter where we are in our vocation journey, is called to loosen our grasp on the things of the world, to let go of our comfort and control, and to generously pour ourselves out in service. Let us pray that each of us cooperates with God's grace and God's will so that we may know true joy and peace.

Let us also pray for our priests, especially those newly ordained. May we be shepherds with hearts like that of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. We are conformed in His image, and His power flows through us because of our ordination. We are earthen vessels of His Divine grace, with our own faults and sins, so we are always in need of prayers. May our faults never be an obstacle to someone knowing Jesus.

This year, Fr. Smith celebrates the second anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on Monday, June 5. I celebrate my 14th year of ordination on June 13. We both give thanks to God for calling us to serve at His altar! It is a blessing to serve you.

On another personal note, my Aunt Theresa passed away yesterday, June 2. She was 97 years old. While the details are not yet finalized, I will be traveling to Hazleton, PA, next week to preside at her funeral Mass. For most of the time I knew her, she went to daily Mass and prayed a daily Rosary and Divine Mercy chaplet. She also prayed the Divine Office. She received the anointing of the sick and the Apostolic Pardon on her deathbed, so she was as prepared as one can when she met Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Judge. In God's providence, she died in the month of June, which is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She also died on the first Friday of the month, which is also dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

We rely on the mercy of Jesus Christ at all times, and especially when we meet Him at the end of our lives. May we foster a greater devotion to His Sacred Heart this month and always that we may trust in His infinite love and know the love He has for each of us and share that love with Him and those He places in our lives. Here is a website with some prayers to Jesus Christ and his Sacred Heart to help foster our devotion.

Know of my prayers for all of you, that you may be enveloped in the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Please pray for me and for my Aunt Theresa. May God grant her eternal rest.