Thinking Beyond Our Experience & Place in History

We continue down the path of Beacons of Light and the process of bringing together four distinct parishes. We will be a corporate entity that is meant to be a missionary outpost. It is easy to focus on what we lose, and the way it used to be, and forget about what could be. I have been reading “The Lord of the Rings,” and there is a conversation that strikes me as relevant for how to look at the task that lies before us: “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” We can lament our state, or we can decide that we are to act justly and uprightly in the current situation.

Is there a lot to do? Yes. Is there a lot happening? Yes. Could it get messy? Yes. But is it all good stuff? Yes! We are so blessed at Holy Angels and in our Family of Parishes with so much good that is taking place. I am always impressed by the love that the people of Holy Angels have for our Eucharistic Lord, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. I am impressed by how many come to Confession in a desire to seek our Lord’s Mercy. We also have so many people that help the needy in so many ways. Fr. Aaron has also told me about how 15-20 of our Lehman students pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet after school each day. We have several opportunities to deepen our love for the Lord and increase our faith. Did I mention that we have Sisters coming to us? What a gift! How could we be anything but excited? “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” (Ps 103:1)

Next weekend, we will be having Sacristan training after the Saturday 8:00 a.m. Mass. If you have wondered what the job will all entail, please come to the training and you can make your decision afterward if you want. But each Sacristan will be expected to come 20 minutes before Mass starts and put items away after Mass. After the 4:30 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. Masses, everything must get locked up. Your help would be much appreciated! Priests will have to drive between so many campuses, and Sacristans will ensure that everything is prepared when the priest arrives. It means so much to have such generous people!

Also, our schedule for Holy Week will be as follows: Holy Thursday: Confessions from 12:00-1:00 p.m. and the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 p.m., with an Adoration Vigil throughout the night. Good Friday: Confessions from 1:00- 2:00 p.m., Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion at 3:00 p.m., Confessions from 5:00-7:00 p.m., and Stations of the Cross at 7:00 p.m. Holy Saturday: Confessions from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. The Easter Vigil will begin at 9:00 p.m. So please come and worship our Mighty God who has wrought for us such a beautiful salvation. “For what other great nation has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is whenever we call to him?” (Dt 4:7) It is the holiest time of the year! Let us enter into its mystery.

I also want everyone to know that if you send in an anonymous letter, it will not be read. Whenever I receive a piece of unmarked mail, I look at the end of the letter or note and if there is no name or signature on it, I throw it in the trash. I am not going to have my peace stolen by someone who does not have the courage to put their name to their gripe. It is unfair to expect me to know how to address a criticism if I do not know who to respond to.

Thank you to our Adoration Guardians who spend so much time with our Eucharistic Lord, consoling His Heart which desires nothing more than the love that is in our hearts. So, thank you to our guardians for taking time from busy schedules to focus on “the one thing necessary,” (Lk 10:42) which is Jesus Christ who suffered, died, and rose for us! I would invite all to consider taking time with our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration.

Peace in Christ,

Fr. Jarred Kohn