In-person Weekend Masses have resumed.
 
Mass on Sunday will also be live-streamed from St. Mary's on Facebook at
8 AM.
 

---

The Lion's Roar

The Catechism of the Catholic Church quotes St. Therese of Lisieux to answer the question What is prayer? “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look  turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”

An essential aspect of the Christian life is the life of prayer. It is like the air we breathe; without it we will die, spiritually. The spiritual demise of our current culture may be attributed a lack of prayer life. If a person does not feed his or her spiritual life, it is not surprising the same person will wilt and die. Jesus said, “Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither” (John 15: 6). On the other hand, the person who attends to his or her spirit will live. As Jesus said, “Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit” (John 15:5). 

The basic nourishment of our spirit and soul is prayer, i.e., conversation with God. Sadly, there are Catholics who only pray on Sunday. They think that is enough. Well, it is not! If you think that praying on Sunday seals the deal, you are mistaken. I encourage you to pray every day. Have that daily  conversation with God, person to person, friend to friend. First step: just show up!

Have you signed up to receive Sts. Peter & Paul Flocknotes yet? We have a new system designed to keep our parishioners informed about the latest happenings, especially during this time when we can't meet in church. If you don't receive our Flocknotes click on the logo above to sign-up!

It is a beautiful and praiseworthy tradition to recite an act of spiritual communion when one is unable, for whatever reason, to receive Holy Communion. Below is an act of spiritual communion composed by Saint Alphonsus Ligouri.
 
My Jesus,  I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.  I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.  Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.  I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.  Never permit me to be separated from You.  Amen.

 
“♫ O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May! ♫”

Many of us recognize those words from the Catholic tradition of “May Crowning,” which takes place in many parishes and Catholic schools during this month. The Church for many centuries has encouraged her children to pay special attention to our Blessed Mother during the month of May.

Many converts to the Catholic Church who were raised in Protestant families were given an uninformed view of the place of the Mary in Catholic prayer and devotion. There was a fear that the attention to Mary somehow took away the primacy of Jesus as the Savior of all people. Catholics were frequently accused of “adoring” or “worshiping” Mary. This of course would be heresy if it would be done … and, to tell the truth, there were Catholics who outwardly appeared to focus much more on Mary than on Jesus.

The first one to object to such a focus would be Mary herself. Her whole life and her role in heaven is to lead people to Jesus, the Savior of all people, including Mary. Personally I never liked the idea that sometimes was expressed: “Mary will get you into heaven through the back door.” As our Gospel Scripture from last week reminded us, Jesus is the gate through which we get into heaven. To think that Mary would somehow sneak us into heaven against the judgment of Jesus is to insult both the mercy of Jesus and the faithfulness of Mary as His handmaid.

So, how does devotion to Mary fit into Catholic life?  First, she is our greatest model of holiness, except for the humanity of Jesus Himself.  Second, while dying on the cross, Jesus assigned her to be a spiritual mother to His followers, and indicated that His follower should see her as their mother. Third, while God does not need anyone to help accomplish His purposes, He seems to love to work through the people who love Him, and especially through the woman who accepted the role of giving Him physical birth and nourished His humanity with her motherhood.

The history of the Church is filled with instances where people of every place have reported times when they are convinced that Mary was sent by God to lead us to a deeper love and faithfulness to Him. The effects of most of those claimed appearances have resulted in physical, emotional and spiritual miracles and graces.

But the most important effects of those claimed appearances have been the growth of love and devotion to God. That’s the main reason we Catholics have such a love of Mary and devotion to her. She is devoted to lead us to a deeper love and union with Jesus.

“♫ O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May!”

• Anchor: Episode 53 - Visit with our priests this Thursday, May 6, on Facebook at 11:30 AM.
• Mass on Sunday will also be live-streamed from St. Mary's on Facebook at 8 AM.

• Daily Mass: We are celebrating daily Mass here on Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 AM.
• Confessions: Tuesday 8:30-9:30am; Wednesday 11:00-12:00am; Saturday 11:00-12:00am.
• Year of St. Joseph - In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pope Pius IX’s declaration of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church, Pope Francis has proclaimed a special “Year of St. Joseph.”  It is a wonderful opportunity to increase our love for St. Joseph and knowledge, “to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal" (Patris Corde). Fr. Ariel has assembled a prayer aid and we encourage you to download it here and use it during the year. You may also pick-up a printed copy at church.

 

---

2021 Diocesan Appeal

This weekend (May 1 & 2), every parish in our diocese will participate in the 2021 Diocesan Appeal commitment weekend. This important campaign has a tremendous impact on the ministries and programs that are offered in each parish throughout the diocese. This year’s Diocesan Appeal theme is “Bear Much Fruit.” As Jesus teaches us, he is the vine and we are the branches. When we remain close to him, we are capable of incredible things in this world. Every year, the Diocesan Appeal raises money that directly supports many ministries, programs, and services throughout the diocese. These programs include Catholic Charities, seminarian formation, Catholic Schools, and so much more. Please prayerfully consider making a gift to the 2021 Diocesan Appeal. Every gift makes a profound difference in the life of our parish and entire diocese. We invite you to watch the Diocesan Appeal 2021 video which can be found near the top of this page.  Click here to donate or make a pledge online.
   

---

Religious Education

Sundays 9:15-10:30 AM
at St. Mary's Novak Center

Vaccines and COVID 19

See this important note from our Diocesan Ethecist, Fr. Ken Wasilewski, regarding the new COVID-19 Vaccines:

As concerns about the Coronavirus continue, and talk of an imminent vaccine becomes more prevalent, there are a few moral questions about the vaccine which have also arisen. These really come down to two basic areas: first, how a given vaccine is developed, and secondly, the morality of receiving that vaccine (or not receiving it). Generally speaking, the Church has long been a supporter of vaccine development and use. (more...)

Letter dated 3/5/21 from Bishop Malloy regarding use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine.
  

---

 
Bishop David Malloy announced in a letter to all priests Oct. 8, a list of changes to the “Back in His Presence” guidelines issued in June of this year.

Bishop Malloy said in his letter that modifications to the original protocols are being made periodically “based in the experience that we gain as we live through this pandemic.”

After consultations with the Deans and with the Presbyteral Council, the following modifications have been made to “Back in His Presence.” These changes were made effective for Masses beginning October 10-11, 2020.

Prior COVID-19 Statements from Bishop Malloy
Letter from Bishop Malloy and Executive Summary for reopening churches
Bishop Malloy's Dispensation Statement
Diocesan Cancellations AND Postponements

Celebration of the Eucharist

Sunday Masses -
Saturday 4:00 PM
Sunday 9:30 AM

Weekday Masses -
Mondays & Tuesdays 8:00 AM 

Confessions continue during this COVID-19 Pandemic
Saturdays: 11:00 AM-12:00PM (Noon)
Tuesday: 8:30 AM-9:30 AM during Adoration
Wednesday 11:00 AM -12:00PM (Noon)

Have you heard of FORMED?  

Search for SS Peter and Paul, Virgil, or type in the zip code, 60151,
to locate the parish subscription.

Check it out!
They've made it so easy to watch movies, documentaries, talks, studies, and listen to books on your phone, your computer, many internet connected devices!