FROM THE PASTOR 

PENTECOST SUNDAY

            On April 19, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI, during his visit to the United States , said:  “As we give thanks for past blessings, and look to the challenges of the future, let us implore from God the grace of a new Pentecost for the Church in America .  May tongues of fire, combining burning love of God and neighbor with zeal for the spread of Christ’s Kingdom, descend on all.” 

            I wonder what a new Pentecost in the American Church would look like.  What would a new Pentecost at IHM look like?  I imagine a community of people who are excited about Jesus and their membership in His Church; who are going out, with great enthusiasm, to share what they have experienced, and to invite everyone they know to come to know Christ as they have; who are in love with the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and give him glory and adoration continually; who know Mary and the Saints as their closest companions, friends and heroes; who seek to transform all of the environments of their lives, by bringing the love of Jesus to all that they know.  I picture a parish that is on fire with love for the poor and the needy, with the broken and the wounded, which creates a safe and loving space for all of God’s children to come find hope and healing and peace and joy.

            Let us pray that the Pope’s prayer will come true.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

            We extend a wish and a prayer to all of our Mothers that this day and everyday will be a time of blessing, peace and love.  The family is the basic unit of society and of the Church.  As the family goes, so goes society and so goes the Church.  Not to slight Dads at all (we will praise you in a few weeks), but in most families it is Mother who is the heart and soul of the family, who binds the family together, nourishing, comforting, reconciling, and healing.  In most homes it is Mom who is the spiritual leader, making sure that the kids pray and learn their faith. 

            Thank you, Mothers, Grandmothers, and Great-Grand-Mothers.  We love you and we honor you today.

ED COLINA PRESENTATION

            Ed Colina, former principal of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, and, presently, our missionary to Kenya , Africa , is home for a few months.  He will give a presentation this Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM, showing pictures and talking about what he is doing and experiencing in Kenya .  Many of you have very generously supported Ed in his work.  Please come and see what he and you are doing.

“COULD YOU NOT STAY AWAKE WITH ME ONE HOUR?”

            These, of course, are the words that Jesus spoke to Peter and the other Apostles in the Garden of Gethsemane .  They have become a challenge to all of his followers throughout history to take time (one hour) to be with him, to pray to him.  Forty Hours Devotion, which we will have here at IHM on May 30, 31, and June 1, offers us the opportunity to do just that.

            Please sign up to do one of the hours of adoration that weekend, and to participate in the parish supper on Sunday evening.           

MASS CHANGES

            On May 25 there will be no 12:30 pm Mass due to graduation.

What IHM Means to Me....

IHM has made me who I am today...as I look back on my childhood, most of or even all of my memories take place at IHM...Kindergarten through 8th grade...Reconciliation...First Communion...Friday Mass...gym class with Mrs.Dooley (definitely everyone's favorite!)...Father Britt's death...religion classes with Mrs. Kennedy and Mrs. Smith!...music class with Mr. Dan!...gettin my card punch like once a week...detention with Mrs.Oberhausen and Mrs.Dolwick and finally graduation...but it didn't end there...that was just the beginning...my school years are over at IHM but now I'm involved in Life Teen and now IHM is the place where I go to worship God...where I go to pray...where I go every Sunday morning for Mass....and every Sunday night for Life Teen....because of the people in the parish and because of the people at Life Teen I have a relationship with God better than I could ever imagined! I have no idea where I'd be without IHM! so to sum it all up when I think of IHM I think of memories and I think of love...

God Bless