From the Pastor
May/04/2009
As we continue our seven week celebration of the great Feast of Easter, we’re reminded that “the Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #638). It confirms all Christ’s works and teachings and gives “the definitive proof of His divine authority” (#651), while fulfilling “the promises both of the Old and New Testament and of Jesus Himself during His earthly life (#652). “The mystery of Christ’s Resurrection is a real event, with manifestations that were historically verified, as the New Testament bears witness” (#639). “
Given all these testimonies, Christ’s Resurrection cannot be interpreted as something outside the physical order,” for it is an “historical fact” (#643). The Resurrection completes the two-fold aspect of the Paschal Mystery: “By His death, Christ liberates us from sin; by His Resurrection, He opens for us the way to a new life” (654).
Congratulations to Fathers Brian Campbell and Thomas Lafreniere who were ordained to the diocesan priesthood this Saturday morning in our Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola for service to our Diocese of Palm Beach. Fr. Campbell will be assigned as Parochial Vicar to St. Patrick Church in Palm Beach Gardens, and Fr. Lafreniere will be Parochial Vicar at St. Luke Parish in Palm Springs near Lake Worth. Please remember to pray for them, that their fervor will continue throughout their priesthood; and pray for more vocations to the priesthood, religious life and the diaconate in our diocese. Next year, God willing, two more men will be ordained for priestly service to our diocese. Maybe, in the future, God will call some of our young people to seriously consider service to Him and His people in these ministries.
As you may realize, there are no more Sunday 12:30 p.m. Masses, as the season has ended. Likewise, beginning with
the first Sunday in July (July 5th), the Sunday morning Mass schedule will be revised, and we will then begin the first morning Mass at 7:00 a.m., and we will begin Mass every ninety-minutes thereafter (7:00, 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 a.m.). This is the 2nd reminder of the upcoming change in our Mass schedule beginning July 5th. No other Mass times are altered in the change.
On Saturday evening, May 16th, at 7:30 p.m. in our Family Life Center, we will have the hilarious Little Sisters of
Hoboken in their Broadway presentation of “NUNSENSE.” Tickets are $20, are available in our parish office, and will
help to benefit our parish school. They have been rehearsing furiously for their one-time show at our parish. Please don’t confuse them with our own Little Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (also from New Jersey)! But you’ll certainly enjoy the program, no matter what.
As we have begun May, the month of Mary, our school children participated in their annual crowning of the statue of
Our Lady of Fatima (feast is May 13th). It’s so nice to see our children participate in these school Masses. May they
come each Sunday to Mass and formally worship their God present here.
Congratulations to our 5th Grade along with those of our Middle School students who recently spent service time
cleaning up the public beach area in Delray Beach. Their project was well received by our city leadership, and the kids
seemed to enjoy themselves in the process. Most of all, they continue to make us proud of them when they use their time and talents to make our world a better place!
This Sunday afternoon, we are welcome to participate in the annual Diocesan Marian Rosary Festival and pilgrimage,
to be held at Emmanuel Catholic Church at 2:00 p.m. Join Bishop Barbarito and many pilgrims from all over the
diocese as we honor Mary, during her month of May. Following the services, there will be ethnic presentations of food, song and dance from the different ethnic groups that make up our diocese.
During this coming week, Fr. Danis and I will be away for several days from the parish to attend the annual Diocesan
Convocation of Clergy with our bishop and our fellow priests. Fr. Jimmy has chosen to take the major part of his vacation during this time, and will also be away for a bit longer than this week. The weekday Masses will be offered by Father Barrett and other visiting priests not expected to attend the convocation. Father Barrett will be “on call” during this time of our absence. Please pray for the success of our clergy gathering. I will be praying for you. And I give special thanks to God for all of you that make up this special parish of St. Vincent Ferrer. It is a tremendous gift and honor to be your Pastor.
May God continue to bless you and your family for your generous support of our church and school! Again, we’re very sorry for the temporary inconvenience caused by the renovation to the roof of our church building, but hope that the improvement, this time, will be long-lasting. We hope that there will be no more leaks in the roof for years to come.
Very Rev. Canon Tom