My last Pastor’s Corner

Final Words

Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.

John 14:1

“Pray, hope and don’t worry. Worry is useless. What is needed is trust.”

Saint Padre Pio, OFM Cap

The final words of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of Matthew are truly my favorite in all the Bible. The Great Commission go and make disciples, teach and baptize, is the mission of the Church, the mission of all followers of Christ. As I write this, these words stir within me the deepest emotions. I hear Jesus speaking them to me now. He speaks them to all of us always. This is my final Pastor’s Corner as pastor of Saint Brigid and Most Holy Trinity parishes. Over the last nearly two years in Friendsville and nearly a year in Susquehanna I have used this forum to speak the words of Christ to you and teach in His Holy Name. When I have done so well, His Holy Name be praised; when I have fallen short, Kyrie Eleison, Lord have mercy. As I write this, no replacement in either parish has been named. I know this is unsettling for many, and I share your concern. I’ve been most assured replacements will be named shortly, though I do not know who they are or where they will be coming from. The words of Jesus and Saint Padre Pio above speak to our anxieties; as God told Jeremiah: “I myself will give you shepherds” (Jeremiah 3:15). What we need now is trust in the goodness of God.

I cherish beyond all human words God’s gift to me of you and these two wondrous parishes. Like two children in a family, neither are exactly alike, but each a treasure beyond all measure. The faith and love you have for God, His Mother, our Mother, your parish and respective churches and patron Saints inspire me daily to strive to be a priest worthy of such devotion, such deeply rooted love. I carry deep within my soul some of the most profoundly moving experiences we’ve shared together: pilgrimage to Auriesville and the Shrine of the North American Martyrs; Lessons and Carols for the feast of Saint John the Evangelist; the Tenebrae services at each parish during Holy Week, the all night prayer vigil before the Blessed Sacrament at Saint Augustine as the Supreme Court met to hear arguments in the case of the landmark pro-life case of Dobbs vs Jackson Women’s Health Organization. These are just a few of the countless moments you drew me closer to the Lord by the gift of your faith. I carry them all with me as I go. Count on my continued prayers for you and yours until that glorious day we gather in the Kingdom at the Lamb’s High Feast, never to be parted again. May the blessings of Almighty God come down on you and remain with you and all those you love in this world and the next, now and always and forever.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam…To the Greater Glory of God

Father Kevin

PETER’S PENCE COLLECTION

Today is the Peter’s Pence Collection, a worldwide collection that supports the work of the Universal Church, including the work of the Holy See and the charitable works of Pope Francis. Take this opportunity to join with Pope Francis and be a sign of mercy to our suffering brothers and sisters. Please be generous. For more information, visit www.obolodisanpietro.va/en/html.

Picnic Meeting

There will be a Picnic Planning Meeting on Wednesday, June 28th at 6:00PM, at Neumann Hall Pavilion. Anyone interested is invited to attend. More details are in today’s Bulletin Insert.

FATHER’S DAY MASS NOVENA

The Father’s Day Mass Novena continues through June 30th.

THE ALMOST ANNUAL ST. BRIGID PARISH GARAGE SALE AT NEUMANN CENTER IS BACK THIS YEAR

Start saving your junk it’s another mans treasure! The Garage Sale at Neumann Hall, Choconut will be Friday, July 7th, 8AM to 5PM and Saturday, July 8th, from 8AM to 3:00PM. You can rent a table for $ 5.00 and sell your own treasures OR you can donate items to the Parish to be sold. All items must be clean, usable, and in working order. You can drop your donations off on Thursday, July 6th, after 5:00PM. For those renting your own table, you can set up after 5PM on Thursday, July 6th. If you have questions or to reserve a table, call Homan’s (570) 553-2860. Helpers are needed for Thursday night at 5:00PM, all day Friday and all day Saturday. If you can give 3-4 hours that would be great. Please call Mary Homan (570) 553-2860.

Annual Parish Picnic

Plans are underway for our Annul Picnic on Sunday August 13th, from 11:30AM to 2PM. DINNERS WILL BE 100% PRE-ORDER AND PRE-PAY. Do not wait to order and do not plan to come on Picnic Day and get any “extra” chicken. There will be NO extra chicken.

Workers there will not be a work list but we still need a lot of help. Workers are needed for the BBQ pit, kitchen to assemble food, outside to distribute dinners, or help with baskets, please volunteer. (Helpers are also needed for set up and take down.) Help is needed Saturday from 9:00AM to 12Noon and Sunday from 10:00AM to the end. To volunteer please call Joe & Mary Homan (570-553-2860).

Basket Raffle We are in need of Baskets for the Basket Raffle at the Parish Picnic. To donate, please contact Cathy O’Reilly (570-396-2840). Baskets will be numbered and photos will be posted on Facebook as soon as possible. Tickets will be $ 1.00 per chance. You may purchase chances by calling or mailing to Cathy O’Reilly (570-396-2840), 25 O’Reilly Road, Friendsville, Pa. 18818. Your money must be received by August 7th. Baskets and chances will also be available in the pavilion on Picnic Day.

Collection For The Care And Education Of Priests

The second collection next weekend will be for the Care & Education of Priests.

Church Softball

All games are at 6:30PM. This Saturday, June 24 we play Dille Parish; July 1 we play Owego Nazarene at the Lawton Field; July 8 we have a “bye”; July 15 we play North Rome Wesleyan at the Rome Field. The League Picnic / One Pitch Tournament is at Hope Baptist Church on July 22nd. Tournament Weekend is July 28 & 29. If you would like to play or for more information, please call Sean Kelly (570-396-4027). We lost our game against Braintrim Baptist last Saturday and we now have two wins and two losses for the season.

Drive Thru Chicken Bbq

A Drive thru Chicken BBQ will be held on July 2nd at the Little Meadows Fire Hall. Dinners include potato salad, baked beans, roll and dessert for $15.00. Just chicken is $8.00. Serving begins at 11 am until sold out. Benefits the Little Meadows Fire Company.