May 2009
From the Pastor
May/31/2009
Graduation ceremonies and parties are the highlight of this time of year for many of our families. We mark the occasions with celebrations that are as varied as the occasions themselves. Even the 11 Apostles graduated from their three-year course in the first Christian school of learning, at the feet of Jesus Himself!
Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost, traditionally called the “Birthday of the Church.” The title for this feast derives from the Greek word for fifty, since the Apostles received the Spirit that many days after the Passover. Before He ascended into heaven, Jesus promised the Apostles “another Paraclete,” or Advocate, to guide them. Obedient to the Lord’s command, the Apostles remained in Jerusalem all this time, awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit, who would fill their minds and hearts with His gifts. That Spirit would empower the faithful followers of Jesus to continue the work He began on earth. So they spent much time in prayer, choosing a replacement for Judas (in the person of Matthias), bringing their number back to twelve, significant for their witness to God as the renewed Israel (remember the 12 tribes of Israel?). While the Third Person of the Trinity is most often referred to as the Holy Spirit in the teaching, worship and devotional life of the Church, He has other titles as well. Throughout the New Testament, and especially in the letters of Paul, we read about “the Spirit of Christ.” He is also referred to as the “Spirit of glory” and “the Spirit of promise.” In the Nicene Creed, we profess He is “the Lord and Giver of life.” These titles indicate the close interrelationship of the Holy Spirit with every aspect of
Christ’s life, teaching, miracles and, most especially, His death and resurrection. We affirm that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. This does not mean that the Spirit is third in rank or importance, or that he came to exist at a later time. Rather, He is “third” because He eternally “proceeds from the Father and the Son.” We profess that He is “worshipped and glorified with the Father and the Son,” with whom He is co-equal and co-eternal. While the Trinity remains a mystery of faith, it is a very special and splendid, life-giving mystery – the secret of God’s inward communion of life and love.
Unlike the eternal Word who became flesh, the Holy Spirit remains invisible. Yet, we know the presence and power by His manifold works. It is the Spirit who allows us to be adopted sons and daughters of the Heavenly Father, who opens our hearts in faith, and who sanctifies and guides us in the daily following of Christ. It is, likewise, the Holy Spirit who guides us andacts in the Church’s teaching office and Sacramental life. Indeed, the Holy Spirit is the “driving force” of the Church’s life. He enables us to pray and proclaim the saving Gospel of truth and love. The events of Pentecost, described in two of this weekend’s readings, certainly seem to have elements of the fabulous in them, and tough critics of Christianity have surmised that the whole “cult of Jesus’ followers” that developed in the first century Palestine (and soon spread far beyond) was rooted in the “overheated imagination of a few diehard disciples,” who wanted to believe that their Jesus somehow survived death. To counter that criticism, we can point to the Gospels’ emphasis on the historical “reality” of the risen Lord who appeared to His disciples. Additionally, having heard of how God’s Spirit was given to the first followers of Jesus, we must accept our commission to keep that Spirit alive in the world today. It is that same Spirit that we invoke to come upon us to continue the task given the first Apostles. The question is, “Are we ready to accept the responsibility and power that come to us from the Spirit?” If so, then we shall accomplish much work for God’s people.
I already see that Spirit working in our parish school and throughout much of our fine parish. For instance, it was a great joy, this past week, for me to be at the “rite of passage” of our Pre-K children to Kindergarten, and our Kindergarten children to upcoming First Grade. Along with our parish school Principal, Mrs. Delgado, our teachers of these classes, and proud parents of the students, we witnessed a delightful program from each of the classes. What a great year we have had in our school, beginning with these little ones and ending with the Class of 2009, our eighth grade graduates, who celebrate with us at this Saturday afternoon’s 4:00 P.M. Mass! It has been a real delight for me to be able to partake in so many wonderful events of this school year.Also, many parents remarked how a wonderful spirit has penetrated our school this year, and I must give credit to the leadership of our new Principal, who has done a tremendous work with the talented faculty and staff with which we are blessed. I also thank those parents who cooperate with us, and the Home and School Association under the leadership of Irene and Byard Hey and their fellow officers. They make a difference!!!
I am sure that this same spirit will extend into next year. To continue the theme of “New Beginnings,” I have asked Bishop Barbarito to mark the opening of our next year with a special Mass, and he has consented. There will be more information forthcoming on this celebration as we draw closer to that time. We will also bless all the new additions and renovations of our parish at that time that we have prepared these past two plus years. May all of you who have made this possible enjoy that upcoming occasion! I sincerely thank you for your continued support of our parish, your willingness to move forward in our parish and your affirmation of all of our priests, sisters and staff. May God’s blessings come upon you in great abundance!
Congratulations to all of our graduates of the Class of 2009 from our parish family in elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities, nursing schools and other graduate schools. We are proud of you and your accomplishments! We hope that you stay close to the Lord, showing appreciation of all the gifts He has bestowed upon you. Your thanks to the Lord can be made manifest in prayer, worship and in the development and use of these gifts from God for the sake of His people, and thereby giving Him glory. May God watch over you and your family!!!
Very Rev. Canon Tom
Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost, traditionally called the “Birthday of the Church.” The title for this feast derives from the Greek word for fifty, since the Apostles received the Spirit that many days after the Passover. Before He ascended into heaven, Jesus promised the Apostles “another Paraclete,” or Advocate, to guide them. Obedient to the Lord’s command, the Apostles remained in Jerusalem all this time, awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit, who would fill their minds and hearts with His gifts. That Spirit would empower the faithful followers of Jesus to continue the work He began on earth. So they spent much time in prayer, choosing a replacement for Judas (in the person of Matthias), bringing their number back to twelve, significant for their witness to God as the renewed Israel (remember the 12 tribes of Israel?). While the Third Person of the Trinity is most often referred to as the Holy Spirit in the teaching, worship and devotional life of the Church, He has other titles as well. Throughout the New Testament, and especially in the letters of Paul, we read about “the Spirit of Christ.” He is also referred to as the “Spirit of glory” and “the Spirit of promise.” In the Nicene Creed, we profess He is “the Lord and Giver of life.” These titles indicate the close interrelationship of the Holy Spirit with every aspect of
Christ’s life, teaching, miracles and, most especially, His death and resurrection. We affirm that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. This does not mean that the Spirit is third in rank or importance, or that he came to exist at a later time. Rather, He is “third” because He eternally “proceeds from the Father and the Son.” We profess that He is “worshipped and glorified with the Father and the Son,” with whom He is co-equal and co-eternal. While the Trinity remains a mystery of faith, it is a very special and splendid, life-giving mystery – the secret of God’s inward communion of life and love.
Unlike the eternal Word who became flesh, the Holy Spirit remains invisible. Yet, we know the presence and power by His manifold works. It is the Spirit who allows us to be adopted sons and daughters of the Heavenly Father, who opens our hearts in faith, and who sanctifies and guides us in the daily following of Christ. It is, likewise, the Holy Spirit who guides us andacts in the Church’s teaching office and Sacramental life. Indeed, the Holy Spirit is the “driving force” of the Church’s life. He enables us to pray and proclaim the saving Gospel of truth and love. The events of Pentecost, described in two of this weekend’s readings, certainly seem to have elements of the fabulous in them, and tough critics of Christianity have surmised that the whole “cult of Jesus’ followers” that developed in the first century Palestine (and soon spread far beyond) was rooted in the “overheated imagination of a few diehard disciples,” who wanted to believe that their Jesus somehow survived death. To counter that criticism, we can point to the Gospels’ emphasis on the historical “reality” of the risen Lord who appeared to His disciples. Additionally, having heard of how God’s Spirit was given to the first followers of Jesus, we must accept our commission to keep that Spirit alive in the world today. It is that same Spirit that we invoke to come upon us to continue the task given the first Apostles. The question is, “Are we ready to accept the responsibility and power that come to us from the Spirit?” If so, then we shall accomplish much work for God’s people.
I already see that Spirit working in our parish school and throughout much of our fine parish. For instance, it was a great joy, this past week, for me to be at the “rite of passage” of our Pre-K children to Kindergarten, and our Kindergarten children to upcoming First Grade. Along with our parish school Principal, Mrs. Delgado, our teachers of these classes, and proud parents of the students, we witnessed a delightful program from each of the classes. What a great year we have had in our school, beginning with these little ones and ending with the Class of 2009, our eighth grade graduates, who celebrate with us at this Saturday afternoon’s 4:00 P.M. Mass! It has been a real delight for me to be able to partake in so many wonderful events of this school year.Also, many parents remarked how a wonderful spirit has penetrated our school this year, and I must give credit to the leadership of our new Principal, who has done a tremendous work with the talented faculty and staff with which we are blessed. I also thank those parents who cooperate with us, and the Home and School Association under the leadership of Irene and Byard Hey and their fellow officers. They make a difference!!!
I am sure that this same spirit will extend into next year. To continue the theme of “New Beginnings,” I have asked Bishop Barbarito to mark the opening of our next year with a special Mass, and he has consented. There will be more information forthcoming on this celebration as we draw closer to that time. We will also bless all the new additions and renovations of our parish at that time that we have prepared these past two plus years. May all of you who have made this possible enjoy that upcoming occasion! I sincerely thank you for your continued support of our parish, your willingness to move forward in our parish and your affirmation of all of our priests, sisters and staff. May God’s blessings come upon you in great abundance!
Congratulations to all of our graduates of the Class of 2009 from our parish family in elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities, nursing schools and other graduate schools. We are proud of you and your accomplishments! We hope that you stay close to the Lord, showing appreciation of all the gifts He has bestowed upon you. Your thanks to the Lord can be made manifest in prayer, worship and in the development and use of these gifts from God for the sake of His people, and thereby giving Him glory. May God watch over you and your family!!!
Very Rev. Canon Tom
From The Pastor
May/24/2009
CAUTION! I believe that due to these difficult financial times that we are experiencing, there are many people who are resorting to desperate means to obtain money. On the last two Sundays, a young man (blond hair, early twenties, wearing cargo shorts) was boldly seeking money from our parishioners who were entering and leaving church. He claimed he needed money “to return to Buffalo.” He even shed crocodile tears (through bloodshot eyes) to plead his case, but was not willing to work with our St. Vincent de Paul Society that handles these cases for us. Though we caught him in this same act two weeks in a row, this week I saw him walking along Federal Highway, casually smoking, and not noticing me (incognito) pass by. If he should return again, kindly notify one of our ushers or the police posted for outside parking duty. Above all, please, DO NOT GIVE HIM MONEY, for you only will be abetting his abusive habit.
It is even sadder when our parishioners and guests in church are not immune to shameless acts made against them while praying in the presence of Our Lord. Ladies, especially, always watch your pocketbooks. Please do not leave pocketbooks or other valuables in the pews when you come to the altar to receive Holy Communion. Also, please be aware of your surroundings inside as well as outside of church.
For these reasons, especially the potential for repeating some acts of vandalism we found in the past, sadly we have to close the church after morning Masses. However, for your adoration of the Lord outside of Mass, we have the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of Perpetual Adoration open to serve your spiritual needs. There you can spend peaceful time under the careful watch of Jesus (and our security cameras), thanking Our Lord for His many blessings upon you and your family. Our new roof on the church is almost completed, and after the heavy rains of his past week, it looks as though we will finally get our money’s worth. Thank you for considering an increased offering in your envelope to help with the unforeseen expense of $180,000, for the new roof. May it last many years and protect our
building and our people as they come here to worship.
Our 8th Grade students have completed their classes and a recent retreat this past Friday. We are proud that so many of them will be the bearers of financial scholarships and grants that will enable them to continue their studies in Catholic high school next year. Their Graduation Mass will take place next Saturday at the 4:00 P.M. Mass. Please ask Our Lord to protect them.
Sister Dorothy Hrywka, our Kindergarten teacher, is celebrating her 25th anniversary as a religious sister this year! We’re grateful that she accepted her call from God, even though her heart’s first desire was to enter the professional field of dentistry. In time, she submitted to the call of the Lord and abandoned her studies in medicine to learn the ways of a religious life and becoming a religious sister. We will celebrate with her after she returns from her trip, in September.
Thank you to Jack Foley, who assisted us in many ways, to see that last week’s production of “NUNSENSE” was a great success. We had a barrel of laughs as we partook of a light-hearted spoof, filled with humor and great talent in that musical comedy. The Parents of our Home and School Association, along with Patrick Albano and Tyler Flood, sure did their part to assist and carry out tasks that brought about this
success. We’re grateful to the actors and musicians and staff, all from Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Church
in Royal Palm Beach, to entertain us. May God bless them all!
This coming Monday is the official observance of Memorial Day. We owe a great debt of gratitude to the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces to keep our country free and strong. Their dedication and bravery made the difference in making our land the home of the free and the land of the brave. Please remember them in prayer, and make your celebration a fitting one that truly commemorates the real reason for the occasion. Because of the holiday, the office will be closed, and there will be no 5 P.M. Mass on Monday, only the 2 morning Masses at 7:00 and 8:30 a.m. May you have a nice and appropriate holiday.
Very Rev. Canon Tom
It is even sadder when our parishioners and guests in church are not immune to shameless acts made against them while praying in the presence of Our Lord. Ladies, especially, always watch your pocketbooks. Please do not leave pocketbooks or other valuables in the pews when you come to the altar to receive Holy Communion. Also, please be aware of your surroundings inside as well as outside of church.
For these reasons, especially the potential for repeating some acts of vandalism we found in the past, sadly we have to close the church after morning Masses. However, for your adoration of the Lord outside of Mass, we have the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of Perpetual Adoration open to serve your spiritual needs. There you can spend peaceful time under the careful watch of Jesus (and our security cameras), thanking Our Lord for His many blessings upon you and your family. Our new roof on the church is almost completed, and after the heavy rains of his past week, it looks as though we will finally get our money’s worth. Thank you for considering an increased offering in your envelope to help with the unforeseen expense of $180,000, for the new roof. May it last many years and protect our
building and our people as they come here to worship.
Our 8th Grade students have completed their classes and a recent retreat this past Friday. We are proud that so many of them will be the bearers of financial scholarships and grants that will enable them to continue their studies in Catholic high school next year. Their Graduation Mass will take place next Saturday at the 4:00 P.M. Mass. Please ask Our Lord to protect them.
Sister Dorothy Hrywka, our Kindergarten teacher, is celebrating her 25th anniversary as a religious sister this year! We’re grateful that she accepted her call from God, even though her heart’s first desire was to enter the professional field of dentistry. In time, she submitted to the call of the Lord and abandoned her studies in medicine to learn the ways of a religious life and becoming a religious sister. We will celebrate with her after she returns from her trip, in September.
Thank you to Jack Foley, who assisted us in many ways, to see that last week’s production of “NUNSENSE” was a great success. We had a barrel of laughs as we partook of a light-hearted spoof, filled with humor and great talent in that musical comedy. The Parents of our Home and School Association, along with Patrick Albano and Tyler Flood, sure did their part to assist and carry out tasks that brought about this
success. We’re grateful to the actors and musicians and staff, all from Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Church
in Royal Palm Beach, to entertain us. May God bless them all!
This coming Monday is the official observance of Memorial Day. We owe a great debt of gratitude to the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces to keep our country free and strong. Their dedication and bravery made the difference in making our land the home of the free and the land of the brave. Please remember them in prayer, and make your celebration a fitting one that truly commemorates the real reason for the occasion. Because of the holiday, the office will be closed, and there will be no 5 P.M. Mass on Monday, only the 2 morning Masses at 7:00 and 8:30 a.m. May you have a nice and appropriate holiday.
Very Rev. Canon Tom
From the Pastor
May/17/2009
Though it was “far beyond our control,” I offer a thousand apologies for the inconvenience of last weekendinto-
this-week, when you couldn’t get a phone call into the parish office as well as the school. Our system was
all down, and you thought that the phones were just “ringing off the hook” without any voice, human or mechanical,
to answer them. We’re about 95% up to speed, and we hope that all will soon be rectified. In the
meantime, our parish manager, John Krolikow-ski (most recently physically disabled due to an accident) and
our parish maintenance head, Jay Flood (who buried his Dad this Saturday), were trying their best to restore
things to as normal as possible (we’ll forgive them in Confession for all the anger expressed to the communications
personnel). We hope that we’ll not have to see this type of problem for a long, long time to come.
We’re sorry if any emergency phone calls did not reach their intended destination to a priest on campus (What
did they ever do in emergencies before the advent of the telephone?!).
Bishop Barbarito, in concert with the entire United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), is
asking all the faithful to oppose the proposed federally funded research that will require destroying live human
embryos for use in embryonic stem cell research. Following President Obama’s March 9 executive order to
this effect, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) proposed guidelines to implement this research. The draft
guidelines are now open for public comment through May 26th. Letters of opposition may be sent to members
of Congress and to the NIH. More information and a simple procedure for making your feelings known to both
groups can be found on the website for the USCCB’s campaign “Oppose Destructive Stem Cell Research”:
www.usccb.org/stemcellcampaign. Once you’re on the website, click on “Contact Congress & NIH NOW.
Let’s join forces to call for the proper type of stem cell research and cures that “we can all live with.”
Thank you for your support of our school by purchasing a ticket for this Saturday’s hilarious musical comedy,
“NUNSENSE.” I thank the members of our parish church and school staff and our parents and students
who helped make this show possible. I’m sorry if you didn’t get to see it, for it was a great opportunity to have
some fun while rendering two worthwhile organizations an assist from the profits derived from the sale of the
tickets.
We also had our Spring Music Concert, performed by our parish school students this past Friday, under
the direction of Mr. Pablo Falcon. There was a lot of effort put into this program by our teacher and students,
and the talents of many are beginning to show signs of great promise here at our school. May the support of
our parents and parish-family-at-large encourage the many young members of our school community to open
their minds and talents to the greater challenges and wonders that lie ahead in their lives.
Next Sunday, we will observe the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord throughout our part of the
country (not necessarily in the dioceses of the northeast and some Midwestern states).
So, this Thursday is not a Holy Day of Obligation in our state (or diocese), as that celebration has been transferred
to the following Sunday.
I
t’s that special time of the year when we celebrate the wonderful happenings in the lives of people dear to
us: Mother’s Day, Graduations, First Holy Communions, Weddings and priestly and all other sorts of Anniversaries.
Let’s also remember the wonderful people who have bravely served our country and have gone to their
reward as we come to observe another Memorial Day on May 25th. They have honored us and made our nation
a true “land of the free and home of the brave.” May we always take time to honor their memory by the
way we live in and respect this wonderful country of ours. May we also whisper a prayer to God on their behalf
in the hope of sharing in the glory of the Resurrection!
Very Rev. Canon Tom
From the Pastor
May/07/2009
While I was away with the priests and our Bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach for the early part of this past week, at our annual priestly convocation, I noticed the great variety of cultures represented in our common priesthood. The majority of priests present were not born in this country; they are from Vietnam, Latin America, Italy, Poland, Ireland, the Caribbean, and the Philippines. This may be telling us something about the future of the Church in our country in the next thirty years, especially as the Hispanics will become the majority group of the Catholic Church in America by that time. Though our bishop ordained two American-born men this year (and no others) to the priesthood here, the future of priestly vocations seems to depend on contributions from foreign countries. Though that may mean we will have more priests for a while, there still is a
crisis in vocations that will not be solved with reliance on men from other countries. The scandals that plague our Church have certainly “hurt the cause,” but we cannot rely on just more and more priests to pour into our country to solve the vocation crisis.
It's with a great amount of sadness that we read again in the news about another priest who has hurt many
people in and out of the Church by his indiscretions. He has been a well-known and well-liked figure in the
Miami area, especially among the many Hispanic-American Catholics of that community, where his many
God-given talents had been utilized to draw many to Christ. Sadly, we hope that his actions will not have sent
many in the opposite direction. Though many of the faithful have placed their trust in him, human weakness
and folly now have caused him to tarnish his priestly image and damage the possibility of drawing more men
to consider the priestly vocation. Yet, the Church will continue in its mission to enlighten the whole world
with the message of the Gospel, and to gather together in one Spirit people of every race and culture. You may
ask, how will it do so? The answer lies in the fact that each of us, not just clergy, is called, by our Baptism, to
build up the Body of Christ; that's our vocation.
If our human vocation is to go on searching for new and deeper ways of belonging together, and new ways of working together and speaking with one another, then we can realize our capacity for building up the Body of Christ in our midst. But, achieving these goals can only really be reached in union with Jesus and His Church. Unfortunately, our concept of Church is not always crystal clear in our own minds, and often we run into difficulties in explaining our vocation – our way of life as true Christian believers – to others.
Such a mission requires us, first of all, to create in the Church mutual self-esteem, reverence and harmony. This we can do by acknowledging our unity under the authority of the successor of St. Peter – the Pope – without giving up our legitimate diversity. All of us who constitute the one People of God ideally should be able to engage in fruitful dialogue about those matters that help tie us more strongly into a unity in Christ. Realistically, we understand that there are those who have difficulty in dialoguing because they come with a closed mind, or with an altogether different way of understanding and even communicating what Christ was trying to explain to the first leaders of the Church – the Apostles, with Peter as their leader.
There seems to be an alarming division in Catholicism in America, for example, that might be very accurately characterized by the term “polarization.” This phenomenon is not merely that Catholics seem angry with one another – and not just laity with their clergy – but that they increasingly seem to be speaking separate languages.
When you bring people from these two “camps” into the same room for conversation or dialogue, they have moved so far down separate paths that even if there is good will for conversation, quite often a shared intellectual and cultural framework is missing. Maybe we can use “fragmentation” as a better word for the reality, since there is no such concept as “the liberal Church,” or the “conservative Church,” or even “the American Church.” It is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, whether it exists, in part, in America or anywhere else. Its common vocation is given it by Christ through Baptism, and is strengthened by Him through Communion.
“Union with Christ [in the Eucharist] is also union with all those to whom He gives Himself. I cannot possess Jesus Christ just for myself; I can belong to Him only in union with all those who have become, or who will become His own. Communion draws me out of myself towards Him, and thus, also, towards unity with all Christians.” (Pope Benedict XVI, “Deus Caritas Est” 14.
Very Rev. Canon Tom
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