Happy Ascensiontide everyone!
While we are still in the midst of the Easter season, these few days in between Ascension Thursday and Pentecost are a sort of mini-season, if you will. Also, since the Memorial Day weekend is upon us, we bid “farewell” to spring and say “hello there!” to the summer months. As we move to the beginning of this new season, we have a number of important changes, as well as truly joyful news.
At long last, Msgr. Leo McCarthy has been fully exonerated! This decision comes as a result of the Independent Review Board’s deliberations, specifically finding the “allegations to be unsubstantiated.” This is a wonderful day, not just for Fr. Leo, but for all of us here at Blessed Sacrament, who have known this truly dedicated priest for almost 15 years. So many of you have been praying for Fr. Leo ever since accusations against him were made public last July, and he has certainly been praying for all of you as the diocesan process slowly unfolded. This news is truly something to thank God for; that Fr. Leo is found fully innocent and may return to ministering to all of us here at Blessed Sacrament. I offer Fr. Leo my congratulations, as well as my thankfulness for the witness of his vocation as a priest. For me personally, to minister alongside Fr. Leo and to see his deep faith in the Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary, has further inspired me to rely even more on God’s help. Thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of Msgr. McCarthy as a priest, and for the just decision your most holy will has wrought! Amen.
Just as we rejoice at this happy news, let also be mindful of the sufferings of our brothers and sisters all around our country. We continue to pray for healing and comfort for the community near Tops on Jefferson Ave., who witnessed such terror and grief on that sad day. We also pray for the peaceful repose of those 10 brothers and sisters of ours whose lives were cut so tragically short…eternal rest grant unto them, oh Lord!
Let us also pray for the 19 children and 2 teachers also murdered recently in Uvalde, Texas. These children of God and their families, whose lives were ended at Robb Elementary School, are no less our brother and sisters. May the peace that comes only from Christ Jesus bind up their wounds, and inspire us to work for peace in all of our communities. Amen.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help…pray for us!
May the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved, with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen.
~Fr. Martin Gallagher