May 5, 2019 – Third Sunday of Easter

I.  WELCOME BACK:  Would you like to reconnect with the Catholic Church or connect more deeply to our faith community? Do you know someone in this position? Why not invite a neighbor or friend and accompany them? No matter how long you have been away and no matter the reason, we invite you to consider renewing your relationship with the Catholic Church now.  We miss you and we would like to welcome you home. Join us for an evening designed to help people return to the regular reception of the sacraments: Monday, May 6th, 6:00 p.m. in the Media Center (enter through the back door of the parish office from the rear parking lot). For more information, contact Rick Rhodes, 270/683-6525, or [email protected], or Fr. Jerry.

II.  Mary Crowning: Traditionally, May is a month of honoring Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the Mother of God, Mother of our Church. It’s a wonderful time to meditate on and pray the mysteries of the rosary, a scriptural devotion which has survived the test of time. Why not pray the rosary as a family! You may also join people after the 7:00 a.m. daily Mass to pray the rosary. Why not keep a flower, or a bouquet of flowers, before a statue of Mary in your home during this month? We thank our Cathedral Rosary Makers for providing rosaries and a pamphlet on How to Pray the Rosary at the doors of church. We have developed the tradition of Mary Crowning on the first Sunday of May after the 9:00am Mass, before coffee, juice, donuts, fruit, H2O, and connecting with parishioners at our monthly Welcome Sunday in the Community Center ! Mary, Queen of peace, pray for us! 

III. High School Seniors: our parish is proud of you! We would like to honor you on Saturday, May 11th, at the 5:00 p.m. Mass. Please bring your cap and gown. There will be a small reception with cake afterward in our Community Center.

IV.  An Inspiring & Honorable Witness! A young priest from Belgium requested to be stationed on the island of Molokai, where the lepers and the diseased were “dropped-off” to die. Outraged by the deplorable conditions of the island, he sought to restore a sense of dignity to the “un-touchables” discarded there. Within a short period of time, the sick were living in clean houses instead of caves, and were given a proper burial upon death rather than being “dumped” into mass graves. Even though the leprosy was highly contagious, Fr. Damien chose to remain in close contact with his people, and align himself even more with the crucified in society. Damien de Veuster (1840-1889) eventually contracted the disease and died from it. So fully did Fr. Damien immerse himself in the grim world of Molokai, that he could say not “You lepers” but “We lepers!” With Jesus praying for us, we serve the world not by setting ourselves apart from others, but by witnessing in their midst. Celebrate Mass on his feast day, Friday, May 10th. 

V.  Did you know??  The Cathedral Preschool proudly announces an After School Care Program. They are busy getting it organized and registration is open. What a wonderful way to continue to serve our busy preschool families. Please call Pam Weafer for fees and registration. 270/926-1652.

VI.  Gaspar River: Registration is open to attend summer camp at Gasper River! Camps fill up quickly, so to get signed up visit www.gasperriverretreatcenter.org today! Camps available for incoming third graders through young adults.  Come and Encounter Jesus Christ this summer!