Omnia in Bonum (All for The Good)

While on retreat last week, I reflected on how so many things that have taken place in my life felt at the time they took place as though it was the end, as though everything I had known had come to a crashing halt. I could not see how the situation was survivable, much less for my good. Yet, each situation imparted graces, or least a grace to me, that allowed me to grow as a man and now as a priest. The priest leading the retreat told the priest-retreatants about how in Opus Dei, “Omnia in Bonum” is an oft-repeated phrase that is used in moments when something difficult and surprising happens. It’s a way in which members of Opus Dei remind themselves of the Lord’s goodness no matter what befalls them. May we, too, remember this in the various trials of life. This has helped me to put into perspective Beacons of Light. All will be for the good, and we need only trust in our loving Father who wants nothing but our good and the good of our entire Family of Parishes.

Next week, priest assignments will be announced at all Sunday Masses, including the Saturday Vigil. We will not be able to publish these assignments until Monday, February 14. So, to all of you at Mass next weekend, if you do not hear everything clearly, please check to make sure you got the right information. Otherwise, rumors may abound until it is able to be set aright on social media and other means of communication. Also, no matter how the priest assignments fall, let us remember “Omnia in Bonum.” It will all be in the Lord’s providence and thus it will work towards our sanctification and our salvation. Please allow yourself and those around you the opportunity to adjust to the modifications that will begin to become more real for all of us with the announcements of priest assignments. It is going to be a time to grieve as we all experience different forms of loss. May we truly walk with one another as we patiently work through each difficulty while continually moving forward.

The following is a very early announcement, but please note that on Sunday, March 27, we will have our Confirmation Mass at 12:00 p.m. Noon. The reason this Mass is at Noon is that we must get Confirmation on the Archbishop’s schedule almost a year in advance. Thus, because we adjusted our Mass schedule at the end of May 2021, we had already scheduled the Confirmation Mass for what would have been the normally scheduled Noon Mass. The Archbishop’s schedule is very tight that day, so he was unable to adjust his schedule. This means we will have no 11:00 a.m. Mass on that day, March 27. We will keep repeating this modification to the schedule, but please take note of it now so that we have as little confusion as possible.

Thank you to two groups of unsung volunteers at Holy Angels. First: the cleaning crew, who do an amazing job cleaning the church each month. It is so vitally important for us to take care of the Lord’s house where Jesus dwells in the tabernacle day and night. I am thankful for the work these men and women do to ensure that our church displays that we want to make both guests and the Lord feel as at home as possible at Holy Angels. Second: I want to thank the collection counters, who help to ensure that the generosity of Holy Angels parishioners is cared for and handled in a transparent manner. Thank you!

Peace in Christ,

Fr. Jarred Kohn