Hello friends!
Happy Columbus Day to all! Many people today, although motivated to better understand the history of North and South America, criticize Christopher Columbus and his multiple voyages. I do not wish to comment too much on that, however, it is very important to point out that many positive contributions of Catholic clergy and laity who accompanied Columbus to the New World. History is always a complex picture and we have to realize that imposing “politically correct” modern interpretations onto the past are not necessarily true or helpful. For this reason, we ought not to disregard the voyages of Christopher Columbus, but rather view them as a truly positive contribution to world history, and especially the history of the United States.
Now, I’d like to introduce a very recently beatified young man, who had a special devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Blessed Carlo Acutis was just 15 years old when he died of leukemia in 2006, but in his short life, he demonstrated a profound love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Being especially gifted with computers and other technology, Carlo designed his own website to catalogue all of the Eucharistic miracles throughout the world. He would often say to family members and friends how important it was for him to receive Holy Communion frequently, since that was the time he felt closest to Our Lord.
Blessed Carlo Acutis was beatified on October 10th, 2020 in Assisi, Italy, where he has been laid to rest. His feast day is this coming Tuesday, October 12th, so let us ask his intercession for us, our parish, and the needs of the Church.
~Fr. Martin Gallagher
____________________________________________________
Special Announcement: On Wednesday, October 13th, Rev. Matt Nycz will offer the 6:30pm Mass. This Mass will be held in the Main Church, rather than the Chapel of the Divine Mercy.