From Father George's Desk 5/17/2026

The final days of the Easter Season, between the Ascension and Pentecost, have their own special character as a particular period of preparation for the coming of the Holy Spirit.  This weekend “places us between the departure of Jesus in his ascension and the arrival of the Spirit at Pentecost.  We gather with the disciples in the upper room of prayerful     anticipation during the nine days that formed the original novena for the Church.” (2004 Soucebook for Sundays and Seasons, LTP, p. 158)   We rely on the Holy Spirit to animate our lives of faith; to guide the Church, the Body of Christ; and to intercede for us in heaven.  The following Prayer to the Holy Spirit is just a small suggestion for us to make good use of this original novena for the Church:

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your divine love.

 V. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.

 R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.  O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of your faithful, grant that by that same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise, and ever rejoice in your consolation.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

As we conclude the Easter Season next weekend with the celebration of Pentecost, commemorating the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and celebrating the birthday of the Church, I encourage you to wear red when you come to Mass next weekend since red is the color generally associated with the Holy Spirit.

The active phase of the 2026 Diocesan Lenten Appeal will be winding down soon...

¨ Both parishes have now passed their diocesan targets!  That means that everything we collect for the remainder of this year’s appeal will be returned to the parishes, assessment-free so that we can get to work on our parish projects…

¨Holy Family has received a total of $124,909 in pledges and gifts (96% of the parish goal).  Our parish share—which now stands at $46,463 and grows with each gift—is designated to replace the locks on the church and rectory and repair the handicapped lift in the Divine Artwork Center.

¨ St. John has received a total of $42,135 in pledges and gifts (96% of the parish goal).  Our parish share—which now stands at $10,310 and grows with each gift—is designated to upgrade the handicapped   entrance into the parish hall and to begin replacing other aging, rusty entry doors in the parish center.

¨ Thanks to everyone who has already made a pledge or a gift to this year’s appeal.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

¨ Help us finish strong!  If you have not yet made a pledge or gift to this year’s appeal, please prayerfully consider your pledge or gift to this year’s DLA in the coming days.  You may return your pledge or gift by mail, in person during office hours, drop it in the collection basket, or online.

Finally, this is the time of year when many priests and deacons in our diocese celebrate the anniversaries    of their ordinations.  As you may have heard, this Monday is the 30th anniversary of my ordination.  Deacon Mike will celebrate the 11th anniversary of his deacon ordination on June 13.  Father Bill McGuirk, who has been helping us out lately and served as parochial vicar at Holy Family once upon at time, celebrated his 44th anniversary on May 1.  Among other priests who served our parishes, Father Rick Kosisko celebrated his 41st anniversary on May 4.  Father John Foriska and Father Dan Mahoney celebrated their 56th anniversary on May 9.  Father Anthony Carbone will mark 33 years of ordination on May 22 and Father Eric Dinga will observe 11 years of ordination on June 20.  Just as wedding anniversaries are occasions for married couples to remember and to celebrate, so priests and deacons do on their anniversaries.  So please keep me and all the priests and deacons of our diocese who are celebrating anniversaries this month and next in your prayers.