EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL: Our Lord, in the Blessed Sacrament, is making his way through many areas of our nation, as weeks-long Eucharistic Processions converge on Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress in July. Our friend, Blessed Carlo Acutis, said that “the Eucharist is my highway to heaven.” Now, Jesus, in the Eucharist, is travelling actual highways, held aloft for the adoration of all. Often, here at church, I notice one or two people deep in prayer before our tabernacle. Maybe those folks feel the weight of heavy burdens? Yet, in prayer before the Eucharist, they are sure to find comfort, solace, and companionship. Remember that during the summer months, our church is normally open from early morning until well into the evening. Please, make a visit to our Lord. Kneel before his Eucharistic presence. Offer him your joys and sufferings. Several of our Warren County friends will be in Indianapolis when the National Eucharistic Congress convenes in mid-July. I am excited for them! But what if we cannot attend? Listen again to the soon-to-be canonized saint, Carlo Acutis: “We can find God in his Body, Soul, and Divinity present in all the tabernacles of the world! If we think about it, we are much more fortunate than those who met Jesus on this earth two thousand years ago, because we have God ‘really and substantially’ with us always. It is enough to visit a nearby church. ‘Jerusalem’ is in every church! No room for despair!”
A SAD CLOSING: We are closing and ending the use of St. Paul Center (adjacent to St. Anthony Church). This was a difficult (even painful) decision to make, but at a combined meeting of the Parish Leadership Team, the Finance Council and the Pastoral Council, members voted unanimously to shutter St. Paul’s. Why? Water quality concerns, asbestos worries, maintenance needs, and concern for future expenses all played a role. Please relish the memories while we also take the next good step forward as a parish family.
A TASK FOR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS: What is better than a trip to Disney World? What is more exciting than a tour of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory? What is more memorable than a marriage day or the birth of a child (okay . . . maybe I’m exaggerating a bit here)? Vacation Bible School at Holy Redeemer! Woo-hoooo! Parents, grandparents – get your little people registered. Get your teens to volunteer as helpers. Run, don’t walk, to Scuba VBS! All your children’s friends will be there. Cool and colorful sea fauna will be there. Plates of cookies will be there. Most importantlyJesus Christ will be there! Yeah!! Vacation Bible School is July 29 – August 2. And remember, while your 7-year-old is enjoying VBS, you can be enjoying a quiet moment, sipping Costa Rican dark roast at your favorite coffee shop.
Yes, you can CALIFORNIA DREAMING: Our faith formation team and Fr. Mark are travelling to the National Catholic Youth Conference in Long Beach with almost 30 teens later this year. That is a tremendous indication that good things are happening among our Catholic young people. Praise God! Taking a large group like that, though, is expensive. The next CCY fundraiser on the calendar is the 4th of July hot dog and sausage sale. Please eat big and help send the kids to NCYC 2024!
HOUSEWARMING: Finally, there has not been much sprucing up of the rectory since the days of Msgr. Lucas (or maybe even before then). With Fr. Mark preparing to move in, we have decided to give the first floor a fresh coat of paint, new flooring (the old shag carpet is without question - old and shaggy) and new drapery. Hopefully, he will feel right at home when he moves in next month.
Mary, Mother of the Holy Redeemer – Pray for us!
Our Lady of Guadalupe – Pray for us!
St. Anthony – Pray for us!
St. Joseph – Pray for us!
Fr. Steve