A message from Fr. Nicholas A. Milich:
It turns out that our First Saturday Mass this weekend falls on a day that Pope Francis has designated as be a day of voluntary fasting and prayer for the whole Church. The Holy Father is trying to mobilize us all spiritually for the sake of peace: He said:
"I have decided to proclaim for the whole Church on 7 September next, the vigil of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace, a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world, and I also invite each person, including our fellow Christians, followers of other religions and all men of good will, to participate, in whatever way they can, in this initiative. On 7 September, in Saint Peter’s Square, here, from 19:00 until 24:00, we will gather in prayer and in a spirit of penance, invoking God’s great gift of peace upon the beloved nation of Syria and upon each situation of conflict and violence around the world. Humanity needs to see these gestures of peace and to hear words of hope and peace! I ask all the local churches, in addition to fasting, that they gather to pray for this intention."
As those of you who know the time zones, our noon Mass will fall during the middle of the gathering in St. Peter's Square. So, try to make it to Mass this Saturday, offer the Rosary, fast if you can. It is all voluntary but this is an extraordinary request by the Holy Father. He is calling upon our "Catholitas" and we need to respond.
Fr. Milich
Note: Our First Saturday Mass for September will be on September 7th. at 12 noon at Queen of Heaven Cemetery Chapel.
