Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Let us continue to pray for Fr. Evan Simington as he begins his new parish assignment and for newly ordained Fr. Nathan Davis as administrator of St. Alban's and our Parochial Vicar for Saint Kateri.
Happy July 4th weekend! I hope we can all find some time to share with our families and enjoy a bit of the Summer season. Maybe we can get to eat baked beans, macaroni salad, some corn and a hot dog or two!
This past Friday, we celebrated the Feast of Thomas the Apostle, a name in the Syriac language that means "twin." Spiritual writers have often made reference to the Apostle Thomas as being a model of comfort for those suffering from a lack of faith, courage, and fortitude.
Saint Thomas is associated with founding the Church in South India. His name is mentioned in the Roman Canon. He is considered the patron of builders as well as patron of the countries India and Pakistan. He is also the patron of one of our four churches at Saint Kateri Parish.
In the 11th chapter of the Gospel of John, the disciples learned that Jesus was facing plots of death from those working against him. But Thomas boldly proclaims, "Let us also go, that we may die with him" (Jn 11:16).
When Jesus was captured by his enemies, Thomas, like the others, lost courage and ran away with the other apostles. They were all overwhelmed... how could this happen to Jesus? But as Jesus predicted, his death would not be the final end.
On Easter Sunday, Jesus appeared to his apostles after he had risen from the dead and let them see the wounds in his hands and side.
Thomas was not with them at this appearance so he refused to believe the other apostles when they told him joyfully, “We have seen the Lord!" They thought Thomas would share their joy. But instead Thomas insisted he could not believe their message as he had not seen Jesus alive as they had.
“Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails,” he said, “and put my finger into the nail marks, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Eight days later, Jesus appeared to his apostles again. This time, Thomas was there, too. Jesus gently called Thomas and told him to touch his hands and the wound in his side. He fell down at the Master’s feet and cried out, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to Thomas... “Because you have seen me, Thomas, you have believed. Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20, 24–29).
Afterwards, Thomas became strong in his belief and trust in Jesus. Tradition tells us that he traveled to India to preach the Gospel. He died a martyr there, after proclaiming the Good News of Jesus to many people.
We too can pray the words of Thomas when we see the priest elevate the Body and Blood of Christ at mass by saying... "My Lord and my God!”
May God bless you!
Fr. Gonyo
