Pastor’s Corner

I. Father Suneesh is a Grateful Person: “Gratitude is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all virtues” (Cicero). The virtue of gratitude is the ability to express our thanks for appreciation to God and others in word or deed. This virtue must be cultivated, and cultivating the spirit of gratitude requires us to develop humility. We need to understand that everything we HAVE and everything we ARE is a gift. When we serve with the spirit of detachment, we will walk among our sisters and brothers with joy and a smile. “And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him” (Luke 17:15–16).
In the name of our community, and in my own name, I thank Fr. Suneesh for his presence and ministry among us these past three years. Father Suneesh is a grateful person. He sees every day as a gift from God; therefore, there is no time for regrets, stewing over injury, holding on to sin, or allowing the past to enslave. Thank you, Fr. Suneesh, for living each day in joy and gratitude!

II. To Vote or Not To Vote: none of the presidential candidates totally embraces our Catholic teaching. So what is a conscientious Catholic to do? The U.S. Catholic bishops have directed us to use their document, Faithful Citizenship, to help Catholics form their conscience as to how to vote. You are invited to hear Dr. Stuart Squire speak about voting the issues and Catholic position. He will join our Adult Faith Formation Group on Thursday, July 21, at 7:00 p.m.

III. Communal Anointing of the Sick: this healing sacrament will be celebrated at each of the July 23–24 weekend Masses and is for those facing major surgery, suffering from physical or psychological illness, or struggling with the aging process. When this Sacrament is received with faith, Christ refreshes our spirit to persevere in the midst of suffering. Christ reassures us that He “walks with us” as we carry our cross, and furthermore, we are not alone–the whole Church shares in our suffering and is praying with us.

IV. Happy 42nd Anniversary of Ordination: on Wednesday, July 20, your past pastor will celebrate another year of priestly service to the People of God of the Diocese of Owensboro. Happy anniversary, Fr. John Vaughan! His address is: 1600 Kingsway Drive, Madisonville, KY 42431-5826.

At the personal request of Pope Francis, the annual July 22nd Commemoration of St. Mary Magdalene on the Catholic liturgical calendar has been elevated to a Feast Day, the same ranking as the individual commemoration of the Apostles. The decree, dated June 3rd and published in Latin, was signed by Archbishop Roche and Cardinal Robert Sarah, secretary and president, respectively, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
The decree (as translated by Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB) reads:  “The Church, both in the East and in the West has always regarded Saint Mary Magdalene the first witness of the Lord’s resurrection and the first evangelist, and with the greatest reverence has always honoured her although in diverse ways. . .”  In a letter released the same day as the decree, Archbishop Roche wrote: “This decision, in the current ecclesial context, seeks to reflect more deeply upon the dignity of women, on the new evangelisation and on the greatness of the mystery of God’s Mercy.”    www.uCatholic.com/news