Greetings friends!
Happy Independence Day…even though I, personally, love the British monarchy. God, Save the Queen! Wishing all of you joyous celebrations with friends, family, fireworks, and food! Be safe out there, especially on the road…and please pray for all those who serve in the armed forces, especially for those who have died in service to our country!
With this bulletin article, I wish to express my joy and gratitude to Almighty God for the recent Supreme Court decision of Dobbs vs. Jackson, in which the constitutional “right” to an abortion is overturned. God be praised! I hope that you share in my joy since, as Catholics, our church has been a consistent voice for the right to life of the unborn. Numerous church documents, papal decrees, and homilies of all recent popes have continually spoken about the evils of abortion and how important it is to work for an end to this practice. Many of us might have thought this day would never come, but now that it has, we must remember that there is still more work to be done.
With the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, the question of abortion returns to the individual states. We must now concentrate our efforts and prayers to build a culture of life here in New York State for all New Yorkers, born and unborn. May Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of Fatima intercede for us and for our country!
Now that the weather is warmer, it’s time to bring back MASS ON THE GRASS! We will be having our summertime, outdoor Masses on Sunday, July 31st and on Sunday, August 21st, both of which will be the 9am Masses. Please bring your lawn chairs and umbrellas (for shade) as we offer the most holy sacrifice of the Mass in the midst of God’s beautiful creation, especially while enjoying the beauty of our parish grounds (and all of the hard work of our volunteers who take care of the flowers). Please keep in mind though that this is still the sacred and most holy Divine Liturgy…it will be still be offered with the reverence, respect, and solemnity that it deserves.
On Saturday, July 16th, we will celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel! This is a beautiful feast of our Blessed Mother and a wonderful day to take up the devotion of wearing the Brown Scapular! In order to wear the brown scapular, a person must be formally enrolled and blessed by a priest. After the 4pm Mass is over, we will have a ceremony of enrollment for any person who wishes to be invested with this very powerful scapular. I encourage all of you to come and participate on this day, as we celebrate Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and place ourselves under the powerful protection of her mantle!
~ Fr. Martin Gallagher
Blessed Sacrament Church 