Dear Friends,
I am grateful and appreciative of Bishop Thomas visiting our parishes last weekend to preach, celebrate Mass, and make a difficult announcement. He displayed great concern and pastoral care for all. He emphasized the words of the lepers from the passage from Luke’s gospel: “Jesus, master, have pity on us!” In the midst of our pain, anger, confusion, and so many other reactions, we are reminded to reach out to our Lord Jesus Christ and to beg for pity and for healing. It is especially in the Blessed Sacrament—whether at Mass or in Eucharistic Adoration—that we encounter the Divine Physician who desires to heal broken hearts and broken lives. Together, as a parish family and with our Lord and the communion of saints, we will travel on the path to wholeness.
There should be two items available to you in the narthex, vestibule, or near the doors of the church. The first is Bishop Robert Barron’s “Letter to a Suffering Church.” It is short and easy to read but contains a strong message regarding what we as Catholics can do in a time like this. Perhaps we will schedule some times when we can gather to discuss the book, listen to each other, and pray. The second item available is a prayer card with a prayer for all victims of abuse. I kindly ask you take one and pray with confidence.
You will also find in this bulletin a statement from the Diocese of Toledo. Please know that I am praying for all, and know that I am here to serve you in any way I can.
In Christ,
Fr. Matt