Weekend Masses

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This weekend we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. John Paul 2 designated February 11th her feast day as world day of the sick. On the weekend closest to the feast the sacrament of the anointing of the sick is offered in a lot of parishes. I have had the privilege of visiting Lourdes three times. Every time I have been grateful for the good health that I have been blessed with. I have watched the countless volunteers wheel, push and carry people to the various events in Lourdes, the rosary, the blessed sacrament procession, the baths, Mass and many other events and marveled at their patience and faith. I have seen hope and resignation on countless faces, and have walked away with amazement at the miracle that is Lourdes and the countless shrines of Mary that bring hope and miracles every day. Every day I give thanks for the miracle of the incarnation and the miracle of a simple yes in Nazareth that gave us Jesus. Mary is our Mother and Jesus who performed that first miracle at Cana in Galilee, has used Mary to bring hope and joy to countless people. As we celebrate the anointing of the sick let us remember the countless people who day in and out are there for the less fortunate and the sick in our societies. Let us pray for them and ask Mary to bless their ministry of care. Our Lady of Lourdes refugee of the sick pray for us, Let the Journey continue Fr Karl  

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, February 1st in Ireland is the Feast of St Brigid of Kildare one of the three patron saints of Ireland. She does not get the same attention as St Patrick, but in Irish tradition St Brigid’s day is also the first day of spring, yes I wrote spring. To us here in the Midwest and even to the Irish weather man it is still winter. I can see, having grown up in Ireland, why it would be considered spring. Usually the snowdrops and the crocuses have come above the ground and the days are lengthening. It’s cold but there is freshness in the air. It’s like the blast of warmer weather that we often get in mid to late January. We all need that freshness and it’s in the gospel today as Jesus proclaims the Beatitudes. Suddenly there is newness. Jesus is showing people a different and more compassionate God. We as Christians in our world have to make Christ and His teaching new every day. A good way to start might be to read the beatitudes as a family and see what challenges they lay before you in life. Remember spring is not a date on a calendar. It is every day of our life as we try to make all things fresh and new. A blessed St Brigid’s day to all but especially to the committed religious sisters who through teaching, health care and many other ministries have enriched the life of our church. Let the journey continue. Fr Karl