Happy Easter! Easter is proclaimed and lived even today amongst believers. We are guided by our Scriptures this Easter season, learning how the early Church lived their faith. May their witness inspire our Christian witness in the Risen Lord.

 

Congratulations to all our second grade students who will receive their First Holy Communion on Saturday. There is a joyful and heartwarming innocence in our children as they open up their hands and their hearts to receive the Eucharist for the very first time.

 

This past March I worked with our teens on the 33rd Kairos Retreat. Several of the teen retreat leaders shared that their favorite prayer is the Serenity Prayer. It is a beautiful prayer, appreciated by many who seek God's guidance in their lives.

  

In our lives, wisdom comes slowly, with perseverance and God's grace. God's grace is ever present guiding individuals, families and communities. The closer we remain connected to the Lord, as vines on a branch, we are aware of and can feel that grace as we hear in today's Gospel.

 

In March 2017 I wrote to the parish, "This year, in the associate change process there are fifteen parishes, fifteen pastors that have requested an associate pastor from across the Archdiocese. Fr. Brendan Guilfoil is one of six (6) associate pastors being transferred. The numbers tell a very clear story of the size of our Archdiocese, the need for vocations and the challenges we are all facing now."

 

In April 2018 the vocation story is not that different. The staff has joined me in participating in the interviews of priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago that are open to being assigned to St. Mary's - the vocation shortage has not improved much in the past year. Across our Archdiocese there were thirty parishes, thirty pastors that have requested an associate pastor. Including Fr. Grzesik, there are 9 associates looking for a new assignment effective this summer. Looking to the future, there are no men in the Archdiocese of Chicago seminary system to be ordained in 2022 - that is not a typographical error!

 

How many future vocations are there in the homes of our parishioners? How can we as parishioners, as parents, foster the openness to the call of the Lord in our children? Let's continue to pray for vocations in our personal and public prayers.

 

People have asked, "Well, we are going to get another associate, aren't we?" My hope and my prayer is that we will receive an associate pastor when Fr. Grzesik moves on. The Priests Placement Board will be meeting in early May to determine which associates will be assigned to which parish effective July 1st. Once I hear the news from the Placement Board, if we will or will not receive an associate, I will communicate and share that information with the parishioners. Let's continue to pray for our parish and for vocations, that men and women would continue to respond to the call to serve the Lord generously and faithfully.

You are invited to Annual Prayer Service for Child Abuse Prevention by joining the Archdiocese of Chicago in its on-going commitment to the ministry of protecting children at the annual Prevent Child Abuse Prayer Service which will be presided by Fr. Lawrence Dowling.

 

Participants will be invited to plant a pinwheel (national symbol of child abuse prevention efforts) during the service on Friday, May 4, 2018 at 11:30am at the Healing Garden at Holy Family Parish, 1080 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago.

 

God bless with you with a heart rejoicing in the Lord this Easter!