Of Liturgical quirks and calendar planning..
This year, the feast of the Assumption of Mary falls on a Saturday (Aug. 15th). Because of that, in the United States, it is up to the local Bishop to determine whether or not the “Holy Day of Obligation” status remains for this particular celebration. Our Archbishop has abrogated the “Obligation” factor of this feast, so, though people are welcome to attend a mass to honor the Holy Day, it is no longer required to do so. And, to further complicate things, in one of the quirks of my calendar, the only days when the Newman Center officers could get together to do planning and formation for the upcoming year is – you guessed it – over the weekend of Aug. 14-16. Thus, I will not be around for most of that Friday and Saturday. So, the long and short of the feast of the Assumption this year is this: There will not be a mass at St. Ann for the feast, either in anticipation on Friday evening or on the morning of the feast itself. The Saturday 5 p.m. mass does NOT count for the Feast, but rather is the anticipated mass for the 19th Sunday in ordinary time. The convent will have a mass that morning at 7 am and Mother of Good Counsel Home has masses at 6 am and 9:30 am for those who would like to attend.
… August 9th marks the one year anniversary of the death of Michael Brown. As much as I would love to say we are at a different place in our municipalities and town ships, there is still MUCH work to be done. Yet, it is always good and important to step back from the work of justice to acknowledge the progress that has been made, and to ask our God’s assistance in the steps yet to be taken. There are a few events scheduled to give folks an opportunity to gather for prayer, reflection and fellowship. Aug. 5th, Archbishop Carlson will be the main speaker at the Faith in Ferguson prayer service at Our Lady of Guadalupe at 4:30 pm. On Sunday Aug. 9th, Bishops Carlson and Rice will concelebrate a mass for Peace and Justice at the Cathedral Basilica at 10 am. Reception to follow.
Finally, also on Aug. 9th, there will be an Ecumenical Prayer service, also at Our Lady of Guadalupe at 1 pm, at the grotto on the parish grounds. All are welcome to attend any and all of the events. Finally, a public word of thanks to Fr. Ron for being here for us to celebrate mass and give a bit of continuity to the parish during my ‘mostly gone’ stretch of summer. What a trooper he has been during my stints at Christian Family Camp and the baptism of my friends’ 4th baby. Though there are a few retreats and weddings on the near horizon, I am mostly here for the foreseeable future. Next vacation – January…. (sigh)