Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We enjoyed having our summer seminarian, Pete O’Steen, with us. Please keep Pete and all of our seminarians in your prayers. Below my column, you will find a note to you from Pete.

Next Monday, August 2, I leave to begin the 30-day Ignatian retreat. It’s pretty intense. Our daily routine will consist of: Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, five prayer periods of at least one hour each, and a meeting with the retreat director for about thirty minutes. I might need a retreat after the retreat! Our retreat director is now not able to come to S.C., so, the four of us are going to him at a retreat center not too far from Tampa, Florida. I return the weekend of September 4/5.

Blessed Gabriele Allegra: “Fathers and mothers of families have in St. Joseph and St. Anne models of love and service to the Queen of Heaven.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This weekend, Pete O’Steen, our summer seminarian, finishes his time with us. It’s been a real pleasure to have Pete here at St. Mary’s. Please continue to pray for Pete as he enters his second year of major theology. Please also pray for all our seminarians and for more holy vocations to the priesthood.

Blessed William Joseph Chaminade: “The Eternal Father shares with St. Joseph the authority which he has over the Incarnate Word, just as God shared with Adam his authority over creatures.”

To think about: We all have authority over something. It might be over our children or workers in our job, or it might be “just” things such as your house or car. All these people and things have been given to each of us from the Lord to care for in His name; we are stewards. Do we care for those people under us and the things we own as God (who has the true authority) would want us to?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We give a very warm “welcome back!” to Fr. Francisco, who has returned from his well-deserved vacation. Time away with faith, family, and friends is very important for everyone, priests included. As Fr. Francisco arrives home, our friend Msgr. Willie will be taking a few days away back in New York. We pray for safe travels for both!

This week, July 12-16, I will be away for a priests’ conference in West Virginia, sponsored by the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. Participants will enjoy presentations from biblical greats such as Dr. Scott Hahn, Dr. John Bergsma, and Dr. Ralph Martin.

Pope Blessed Paul VI: “St. Joseph is the model of those humble ones that Christianity raises up to great destinies.”

To think about: We all know people who seem unimportant to the world, but they made a big difference in our lives. Think about some of these people and how they helped you. All the people we meet every day – as well as everyone in our family, and ourselves – have great destinies. God has given each of us a mission. Think about the great things the “regular” people in your life have done, and remember those people in your prayers.

Pope St. John Paul II: At the workbench where he plied his trade, together with Jesus, Joseph brought human work closer to the mystery of redemption.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Since Independence Day falls on Sunday this year, daily Mass for Monday, July 5, will be at its normal time of 5:30pm, preceded by confessions at 4:45pm.

Father Francisco continues his well-deserved vacation, visiting family and friends in Mexico. Please continue to pray that he has a relaxing time away. Father returns July 12.

Pope Francis: “St Joseph experienced moments of difficulty, but he never lost faith and was able to overcome them, in the certainty that God never abandons us.”

To think about: Sometimes we think of saints as never having doubts or difficulties, but the saints were just like us. When you feel confused or alone, or when you have difficulties, remember that even those close to Jesus experienced the same, and turn to Joseph for help.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I have been rather amazed at the blatant irresponsibility of various news sources reporting on just one of many recent deliberations of our U.S. Catholic Bishops. The Conference voted to draft a teaching document with help from the Vatican on the centrality of the Eucharist in the life of all the Catholic faithful. It is indeed sad that some have chosen to read things through a political lens, and not through the eyes of faith. We absolutely must be a people driven by the Holy Spirit, and not by rumors, speculation, or our own agendas. If one is searching for a fight, he or she will always find it.

Below are some excerpts from a recent interview by Our Sunday Visitor with Bishop Kevin Rhoades, chair of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Doctrine, which explains things well:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Father Francisco continues to be away on a well-deserved vacation, visiting his family in Mexico. He will be away through July 11th. We pray that he has a relaxing and Holy Spirit-filled time. While he’s away, we welcome the help of our retired priest-in-residence, Msgr. Willie. Thank you for offering Msgr. Willie such a warm welcome to St. Mary’s.

Pope Leo XIII: “In Joseph … heads of the household are blessed with the unsurpassed model of fatherly watchfulness and care.”

To think about: Many parents find the job difficult. Parents can remember that Joseph had to protect, teach, and perhaps discipline the child Jesus. Parents can look to Joseph for guidance as they care for their children. Joseph can be a patron for families who do not have a father in the home; go to Joseph and ask him to help you in this important job.

St. Leonard of Port Maurice: “All Christians belong to Joseph because Jesus and Mary belonged to him.”

To think about: Joseph cared for Jesus when He was hurt, taught Him his trade, and protected Him. We can also go to Joseph when we have a need, knowing that Joseph will guide us as well. Our stained glass windows that include Joseph depict him caring for Jesus and Mary - you can use them as a starting point for prayer.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Saying “Thank you” is far too little for all the amazing love and support so many of you showed last weekend. I am extraordinarily blessed to celebrate twenty years of priesthood. I’m doubly blessed to celebrate it here with the wonderful people of St. Mary’s parish. From the bottom of my heart, thank you and may God bless you!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This Wednesday on June 9, by the grace of God I will give thanks for twenty years as a priest. It doesn’t escape my notice that half of my priesthood has been spent here with you, the wonderful people of St. Mary’s! Our parish staff has graciously arranged a little reception following the 5pm Mass on Saturday, June 5, in the rose garden and Mother Teresa Hall. (Rain location is St. Angela Hall.)