Pastor’s Corner

Pilgrimage Travels

As you read this I am in Poland spending Saturday visiting the birthplace and childhood home of Pope St. John Paul II and celebrating Mass there in his parish church. What a privilege to see where he was born and lived and spent his early days preparing for the priesthood in a secret seminary due to the occupation of the Nazis in Poland. His early trials would shape him and prepare him to be our pope and to lead the church for over 25 years with strength and conviction. This Mass is offered for you and your loved ones and your intentions. If you are reading this on Sunday, we are crossing the Czech border to drive through the verdant farmlands of Bohemia and visit the 1,000-year-old city of Prague, which is considered one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe, to see the famous statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague. He is seen in many of our homes and is a constant reminder of the faith of the people of this ancient city in the young Savior.  In all of this our fellow pilgrims and I are tracing the roots of our great faith in these historic cities and countries to marvel at the conviction of those who came before us to live the lives of  faith that we still enjoy today. We will end the trip in just a few days with our visit to Obberammergau, Germany for the Passion Play which has been performed by the people of that village every 10 years since 1633. The entire population, and people of every age, presents the last week of the life of Christ in a powerful and beautiful play all sung in German. This fulfills their promise made to the Blessed Mother when they prayed that they would be spared from the Black Plague that was ravaging Europe. To this day, 389 years later, they keep their promise and perform the play for an entire day on an open air stage that has a covered auditorium that seats 4,700 people against a beautiful backdrop of the towering Alpine Mountains. Through all of these days and sacred places, know that you are remembered in our daily Masses and devotions with gratitude for the great parish that you are keeping the faith alive in our portion of the Lord’s vineyard. I jet back on Friday, September 23 and back to work for all of you and the good men and families of Hendricken. See you then!

TAKE A CHANCE TODAY  Thanks to so many who have returned their tickets for our annual raffle at our parish bazaar to be held on November 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hendricken. This is our major fundraiser for the year and we look forward to a fun and festive day. More tickets are available in the parish office. Get your today!

God bless and have a great week,
Fr. Bob Marciano