Multiple Events Clamor For Attention Just Now
Multiple significant events clamor for attention in this space just now. Our four diocesan Catholic high schools graduated their classes of 2016 on May 20 and May 22. St. John the Evangelist Parish is hosting a Boots Mass to honor veterans at 10 a.m. CT on May 29; since May 29 also is Corpus Christi Sunday, there will be public processions that day around our diocese.
Instead of focusing on one at the expense of the others, let’s talk about all of them – in chronological order.
Graduations
The four commencement ceremonies are wonderful. Each is unique. All give witness to the blessing of Catholic education.
Our students achieve at very high levels. Running the numbers after the four graduations always reveals scholarship totals in the millions of dollars for our seniors. All of the ceremonies include recognition of many students for academic and extracurricular performance.
They also include comments from high school seniors who are wise beyond their years and full of the Holy Spirit. The valedictorians and salutatorians who give commencement addresses speak not only for themselves, but also for their classmates.
Mater Dei, Reitz Memorial, Rivet and Washington Catholic are true jewels in this diocese. They offer young adults the opportunity to grow in faith and knowledge and to experience and practice the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
Congratulations, graduates – and the best of luck to you. Stay with them Lord, and show them your will.
Boots Mass
Dad was in the U.S. Army and served in the Signal Corps. Clearly – to me, at least – my interest in communications of all types is rooted in Lilley DNA. Some of his brothers and some of Mom’s siblings served in various branches of the military, as did some of my cousins. My son-in-law served in the U.S. Navy.
These people – and many others – make the Boots Masses organized by Catholics of our diocese personally important and special.
Dad and some of my uncles served in World War II. In my lifetime, relatives and/or people I know have served in Korea, Vietnam and various conflicts in the Middle East. Many of us know someone who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
Let us gather and pray for them, their families and all Vets at the Boots Mass. I hope to see you at 10 a.m. CT May 29 at St. John Parish in Daylight.
Corpus Christi Processions
The Feast of Corpus Christi acknowledges and celebrates the Real Presence of Jesus Christ – Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity – in the Eucharist. Processions offer everyone, regardless of their faith tradition, opportunities to at least begin understanding the significance of our belief in the Real Presence as Catholics.
Father Kenneth Walker, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Loogootee, will lead a procession around the city of Loogootee following the 10:30 a.m. ET Mass. Benediction will follow in St. John Church.
Evansville celebrations include processions of the Blessed Sacrament at Holy Rosary Parish, and from Annunciation Parish’s Christ the King Church to St. Benedict Cathedral.
Holy Rosary will hold a procession on the parish grounds along South Green River Road at 12:30 p.m. CT, just before the start of Mass celebrated in Spanish. Beginning at noon CT, Eucharistic Adoration occurs at Christ the King before the procession, which begins at 2 p.m. Adoration continues at St. Benedict Cathedral after the procession and concludes with Benediction at 4:30 p.m. CT. Individual Reconciliation also will be available at the cathedral after the procession.
At the very least, this procession and others on May 29 across our diocese will give people an opportunity to encounter Jesus.
Yes, I know; it’s Indy 500 Sunday.
Set the DVR.
