Msgr. Tom’s Weekly Update – 5/8/24

For all our lives, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord was celebrated the Thursday after the Sixth Sunday of Easter, 40 days after the Resurrection (including Easter Sunday, if you’re counting), Ascencion Thursday.

During the pandemic, it was temporarily moved to the Seventh Sunday of Easter. Last year, it was moved permanently to that Sunday, thus we will celebrate the Ascension next Sunday, May 12, 2024. It is on this day that we recognize the bodily Ascension of Jesus into heaven.

In a central manner, the Easter Season is a remembrance and celebration of our baptism. The entire Lenten Season prepares us and moves us to the renewal of our baptism and our baptismal promises.

As a community, we also accompany those in our midst who are preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, at the Easter Vigil. This year, Mudassar Sharif and Tania Silverio were baptized, confirmed and received the Eucharist. Greg Wilson was received, confirmed and received the Eucharist. One week later, on the Second Sunday of Easter, James Cartier, baptized Catholic, was confirmed. We welcomed them and celebrated their reception of the Sacraments with great joy and gratitude.

Before our Easter Season draws to a close, dramatically on Pentecost Sunday, I’m asking all of you to reflect and see if you might know someone who needs to complete their Sacraments of Initiation or someone you may know, who is indicating they may be interested in becoming Catholic and encouraging them to consider the possibility.

The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the process whereby those adults who need to complete their initiation or embrace the call to join the Church can accomplish that movement of the Lord in their life.

Honestly, I do not want you to simply reflect on it, but to strongly encourage you to invite anyone who is interested in becoming a Catholic or wishing to complete the sacraments they have not yet received.

Actually, the process begins now and thus it becomes paramount to invite, welcome and encourage those we may know now.

Inquiries are welcome at any time. My dear parishioners, let us double, triple or even quadruple the numbers of individuals joining our faith and parish this year.

We know that they are out there…they just need an invitation, something we can all do. Let me now how you make out…and if you need any help in approaching someone.

God Bless You All,

Msgr. Tom

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