PASTOR’S MESSAGE

MAY IS THE MONTH OF MARY
Every May we honor our Blessed Mother as the most powerful intercessor we could imagine. She is just as much a human being like the rest of us, however, she was saved from original sin from the very moment of her conception (the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8th). Because her body and soul was saved from original sin at the very beginning of her life, she singularly shares in the fullness of eternal life which we hope to share at the end of the world. We believe that, at the end of her earthly life, she was assumed into heaven, body and soul (the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven, August 15th).

And so, because she already shares in the glory of heaven, how appropriate that when she appears on earth, our Blessed Mother appears as one of the local community. But, no matter how she appears, her ministry remains to bring us all to her Son.

There are several Church-approved Marian Apparitions beginning with Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531 to the most recently approved apparition when, on December 8, 2010 Bishop Ricken of the Diocese of Green Bay decreed with “moral certainty” that Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Good Help, appeared in Champion, Wisconsin, on 3 occasions in October of 1859 to a young Belgian immigrant woman, Adele Brise.

Most recently on May 13th, Pope Francis celebrated the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima to three shepherd children in 1917. He also canonized two of the children who died shortly after the apparitions: St. Francisco Marto (1908-1919) and his sister St. Jacinta Marto (1910-1920). The third child was Lucia dos Santos (1907-2005) who later became a Carmelite nun and whose cause for canonization is in process.

It’s worthy to note that on May 13, 1981, there was an assassination attempt on the life of St. John Paul II in the piazza of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. On a tour at the Vatican following my ordination in 1999, the priest who was our tour guide was commenting on why St. John Paul II attributed the saving of his life to Our Lady of Fatima. He told us that as the future saint was riding in his pope-mobile, someone lifted up a picture of Our Lady of Fatima. The Holy Father bowed in adoration of the image of Our Lady and was shot. Had he not bowed to that image, the bullet would have traveled a different path and struck vital organs which would have brought about a quick death. So, the following year St. John Paul placed the bullet in the crown of Our Lady of Fatima in thanksgiving for God’s sparing his life through her intercession.

This is but a contemporary example of the power of Mary’s intercession for us. As a mother, she cares for her children. As our mother, she cares for us. This fact is more important than any apparition. Any apparition is a very real reminder of Mary’s care for us and for her desire that we grow to be more like her son, Jesus. If we need help along the way, who better to turn to than our Blessed Mother.

On a side note, and as we celebrate this 100th anniversary of the Fatima apparitions, please be very careful about certain publications, such as The Fatima Crusader, which are not approved by the Church. Such publications claim that recent popes, including Blessed Paul VI, St. John Paul II, Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI, and our current Holy Father, Francis, have not correctly consecrated Russia to Our Lady as requested by Mary herself. These publications do nothing to build up the Church, but continue to promote division and judgmentalism. These are the things that would cause Our Blessed Mother to weep. So, please stand with the Church and our Holy Father, Pope Francis, whose devotion to Mary is strong and essential in his own ministry and spiritual journey. May we be open to her guidance to be more like her son and our brother, Jesus. Her ministry still remains to bring us closer to her son. Through her powerful intercession, may we say the things Jesus would say and do the things Jesus would do. When we strive to be more like Christ, we know our Marian devotion is healthy and holy and our relationship with Mary is balanced and fruitful.

MAY 31ST ORDINATIONS!
God is gracing our local Church with four ordinations on May 31st at 6PM at Guardian Angel Cathedral.

Seminarians Miguel Corral and Felipe Jimenez will be ordained to the of Order of Transitional Deacon and Deacons Jose Unlayao and Luis Nguyen Van Dam will be ordained to the Order of Priesthood. A light reception will immediately follow in Anderson Hall.

Will you be able to come and support our brothers who will be ordained as priests and deacons? Have you ever witnessed the Rite of Ordination for a priest or deacon? Now’s your chance to experience both at one time! Even I’ve never experienced both ordinations of priests and deacons at the same Mass. I’m sure this will prove to be a great event in the life of our diocese. I hope to see you there!

HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY SPRING EVENT!
Unfortunately I was unable to be present with you at this special gathering of our parish family and friends.

I have not learned how to bi-locate yet! When this community event for SJTA was scheduled I had already committed myself to celebrate the 25th Jubilee Mass for my dear friend, Sr. Mary Anthony Kubat, CSSF. So, by the time you read this I’ll be packing my bags to return home from Livonia, Michigan. Please offer a prayer for Sr. Anthony as she looks forward to her next 25 years of service as a Felician-Franciscan sister!

Peace always,

Fr. James Michael Jankowski

Pastor