One would think that after all the festivities of Easter celebrated last month, May would be a time to slow down, but it is not.  There is so much to celebrate and to give thanks for this month.

With the state and county slowly and cautiously lifting COVID 19 restrictions, I am very pleased to announce that we will re-open the parish office beginning on Tuesday, May 4th.  Our office will be open to the public every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00am to 1:00pm.  Slowly re-opening the office will allow the staff to evaluate the needs of the community and to ensure the safety of all who would come into the office.  If you’d like to meet with one of the priests or any of the staff, I strongly recommend that an appointment is made.  Walks-ins are permitted but I ask that only for a very important reason.  Our office re-opening guidelines are posted here.

On Wednesday, May 5 at the 8:30am Mass, we are going to celebrate the annual May Crowning. The liturgy of May Crowning is a tradition in our Church honoring the Blessed Mother as the “Queen of May.”  This title is appropriate because the liturgical calendars, former and present, mark several feast days honoring our Blessed Mother during this month: Our Lady, Queen of Apostles (the Saturday following the Ascension); Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament (May 13); Our Lady of Fatima (May 13); Mary, Help of Christians (May 24); Mary, Mother of the Church, (Monday after Pentecost); and the Visitation (May 31).

Mothers’ Day is also celebrated this month, on May 9th this year.  We give thanks and celebrate with all the mothers – all of those who fulfilled the role of mother in our lives.

Other than the Marian celebrations, we are going to celebrate two Sacraments of Initiation – Confirmation and First Eucharist.  There are 70 of our youth who are completing their initiation sacraments and 86 children who will partake with us around the Table of the Eucharist for the first time.  Please include these young men and women in your prayers.

After the events have been halted last year due to the pandemic, we are going to resume our annual Parish Golf Tournament.  This will be held on Monday, May 17.  This fundraising event will benefit both the parish and the school, and to slowly and cautiously gather to socially rebuild our community.

May 23 is our Parish Feast Day – the Solemnity of Pentecost. This is also the end of the Easter season.  Bishop Oscar Cantú, will join us for the 9:30am Sunday Mass.  Because of the pandemic we are still unable to have our parish picnic.  However, Merry Reardon and a few members of our Parish Council are working on a plan as to how we can celebrate our feast day in a simple and safe way.  We will update you as soon as the plan becomes available.

Never a dull moment, indeed! I think that just shows the dynamic presence of the Holy Spirit in our community of faith.   We thank our God for the gift of the Spirit who continues to actively inspire us to love and support one another; and for the gift of the Blessed Mother, as she continues to enlighten us on how we can take care of each other during these trying times.