May 11, 2025
Today we celebrate Mother’s Day! Time to show Mom some love. There are few people who have such a unique place in our lives. Often they are the ones who show us tenderness and compassion — whether it be for a skinned knee, a teenage broken heart or advice that can only come with motherhood. Let’s be sure to thank Mom. And let’s not forget May is devoted to the mother who loves us all as her children, Our Blessed Mother Mary. She is always there for us to bring peace, teach patience and calm hearts. Happy Mother’s Day!
If you attended Mass last weekend, you know Saint George was rocking! Saturday we celebrated First Holy Communion with our young people. It was beautiful to see our young ones approaching the altar, so full of excitement and faith. My prayer is that their families and our parish can help them keep that enthusiasm. On Sunday, we had four students from Saint George School choose to join the Catholic Church. In fact, we have a total of seven who made this decision. In all my years as a parish priest, I’ve never seen so many students become Catholic in a single year! It is a tribute to our school staff. Clearly they are living the mandate of Catholic schools, which is to pass on the faith. May these young people show us the way to be truer disciples of Jesus!
If you are interested in seeing more good work in our school, please stop by after Masses on Sunday for our annual Art Exhibit. Ms. Kim Zarobsky is our dynamite art teacher. Come see some interesting and skilled works of art from our Saint George School students.
Next Saturday, Father John and I will be celebrating our anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. I’ve hit forty years and Father John is at twenty-one. It is a little unusual to celebrate a 21st anniversary but last year was swamped with events in honor of the parish’s 90th anniversary. So this year, we’ll make it up to Father John!
I am continually humbled by the love and affection I feel from and for the People of Saint George. Occasionally someone will say to me, “Oh, you’ve made such a big sacrifice for the Church!” Often this is said by a person who is married with children or grandchildren in tow. Personally, I can hardly imagine the work it takes to make a marriage last, or the patience required raising a family. Talk about sacrifice! Most priests will tell you the most important part of their priesthood is offering Mass, and the least favorite part is administration. I am often moved by the expressions of faith I see and hear at Mass. Then the life of faith is lived out in large and small ways. Taking Jesus outside the church building is how we build the Kingdom of God!
Over the coming weeks, you will hear more about the Generation to Generation campaign, benefitting parishes throughout the Archdiocese as well as Saint George. Our projects here are not very glamourous — repaving the parking lot and upkeep (if not full replacement) of our church fire suppression system. Both of these are safety issues we must address. I hope we will also be able to raise money for upgrades in our school building and fine arts program. If you hear from a volunteer, please give them some time, and respond as best you can from your heart.