Dear Folks,

Next Sunday, June 8th, at the 10:30am Mass, we will have a special blessing for Harris (Aristides) Lucas, who has served you as the Director of Religious Education for the past 15 years. He has served the parish faithfully during that time and has been a great support for catechists and families alike! He will be assisting in the office through this summer, but with the end of the school year, I wanted to take this time to thank him before many families turn on their ‘summer brains.’

Harris will be returning to Belize with his wife Jean and is looking forward to returning to his roots. Catechists were able to thank him at an appreciation dinner this past week, and many spoke lovingly of his kindness, calm demeanor, and exemplary holiness of life! Thank you, Harris!

Parishioners are also invited to a small thank-you gathering in the PLC after the 10:30 Mass, in conjunction with our post-Mass donuts and coffee.

May the Lord bless Harris and keep him always under the shelter of His wing.

Also: next Saturday, June 7th, the ordination to the priesthood will take place at the newly renovated Cathedral in Arlington! This is always a feast of great joy—even more so this year with the ordination of twelve men!

Among the twelve, of special note are: “soon-to-be Father” Tim Banach, who served us over the last year as a deacon; and “soon-to-be Father” Joseph Connor, who will serve us here as his first assignment.

If you are thinking of going, the Mass is open the public, but a couple of points of advice:

• With 12 men being ordained, this Mass is likely to be crazy full (which we understand here)!

• Be ready to struggle with parking and seating—and that’s after you brave the summer crowds on I-95

North!

• Be ready for Mass to begin earlier than the posted 11:00 am. Bishop Burbidge likes to reverence the

altar on time, which means the procession will start 15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled start of Mass.

Sometimes that means Mass starts early!

• Be ready to be inspired by the beautiful celebration of the gift of the priesthood!

But of course, keep the priests in your prayers, even if you don’t brave the crowds!

Fr. Tim Banach will celebrate two Masses of Thanksgiving here, at St. Mary’s on Tuesday, June 10th at 9am &m12pm. We will have light refreshments afterwards in the PLC so that you can congratulate him and receive a blessing!

pax,

Father John Mosimann