Father Leroy's Blog

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: January 22, 2012

2012-01-20T07:08:00.000-08:00

My Dear Parishioners,

There is an expression that parents use today when their children are misbehaving-they tell them to take a “time out”. What does a ‘time out’ do? It gives the child time to think about what they did, and perhaps think about how they could change their behavior.

I thought this weekend, we could all consider taking a “time out” to be with God. Our lives can become so busy, that we sometimes neglect to take time out to pray and give special attention to God. But perhaps the real benefit in taking a time out is to keep us from getting too caught up in our every day worries and to prevent us from getting too attached to things of this earth. We need to give attention to our spiritual life-our life of prayer and reflection on the God Who created us.

Certainly one of the best ways we can take a “time out” is on the weekend for worship, for this is where we find strength as a community of believers, to show respect for God and to hear what He is speaking to us. Time outs for children are to help them to become better behaved. May we as adults continually take time out for God to enrich our commitment to Him, and to lead lives that are pleasing to Him.

Fr. Leroy

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: January 15, 2012

2012-01-13T06:24:00.000-08:00

My Dear Parishioners,

It is Monday morning, January 9th, as I write this letter. Today in the Church, we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. Traditionally, this is celebrated on a Sunday, but this year because Christmas and Epiphany fell on a Sunday, it is celebrated on a Monday. As we look at the Baptism of the Lord by John the Baptist at the Jordan, we imagine the beautiful picture of God the Father speaking from the heavens stating “you are my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased,” and then the Spirit of the Dove descending upon Jesus.

Each year as we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, it is good for us to reflect upon our own Baptismal Commitment, for truly the Lord says to us as well, “you are my beloved son/daughter with whom I am well pleased.” The symbol of Baptism is water. We need water for health, as water truly refreshes us and gives us new life. In the summer months, as we swim in a lake or an ocean, water again gives us new spirit. So it is with our Baptism-we are given new life in Jesus Christ. We die to self so Christ can live within us.

So, as we reflect on our own Baptism, may we continue to make a commitment to our growth in the Lord, showing that we believe in Him by how we act in our day-to-day lives. As we begin a New Year with perhaps some resolutions, may one resolution be to strengthen our Baptismal Promise to live the life as a beloved son or daughter of God our Father, for truly that is what He asks of us.

Fr. Leroy

The Epiphany of the Lord: January 8, 2012

2012-01-06T09:53:00.000-08:00

My Dear Parishioners,

This weekend as we come to Mass, we celebrate the beautiful Feast of Epiphany, also called Little Christmas. It seems that in today’s world, Christmas closes down on December 25th and Valentine’s Day cards are in the stores the next day. In the liturgy of the Church, the Christmas Season continues until the Feast of Epiphany. An epiphany, but the way, manifests something previously hidden. Today’s solemnity manifests Christ to all nations. Isaiah speaks in his prophecy: a new and glorious day has dawned, a day of hope and a day of light into the world.

On this day, Isaiah’s words have special meaning for us. We are being awaken from sleep to hear God’s message of hope. God has taken on human flesh and the impossible has been made possible, for there is nothing God cannot do. The ancient solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord truly celebrates the manifestation of God in Christ and the extension of God’s saving love for all people. The revelation of God’s saving action is not just a past event, but a present reality that we as people are told to announce daily in our lives.

On this day, so many years ago, Jesus Christ, Son of God, became a light to the world. As we begin this year 2012, may we bring this light of Christ into our homes, our families, and into our workplace.

Fr. Leroy

The Nativity of the Lord: December 25, 2011

2012-01-03T10:04:00.000-08:00

My Dear Parishioners:

Merry Christmas! It is truly wonderful to have Christmas on a Sunday, the day of the Lord.
Christmas conjures up in all of us wonderful, reflective words. There are the words joy, peace and happiness, but there is also the word hope. The people of the Old Testament continually had the virtue of hope as they awaited a Messiah to come to them. At Christmastime, like the people in the Old Testament, we all wait; we wait for presents and we wait for family get-togethers. We also hope; we hope for happiness, we hope for good times, and we hope for peace and joy within our families.
Christmas is special because it gives us real hope in the Birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Isaiah tells us that “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light”, and he continues “how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace and bearing good news”.

On this Christmas Day, may we reflect upon how truly blessed we are in our lives, in our families, in our community and in our parish. May we make the beautiful words of Christmas alive within us and truly be people of peace, goodness and joy. May we remember that Jesus is in our midst and that He loves us unconditionally now and forever.

Merry Christmas To All,

Fr. Leroy

Fourth Sunday of Advent: December 18, 2011

2011-12-19T07:06:00.000-08:00

My Dear Parishioners:

This weekend we arrive at the Fourth Sunday of Advent. A week from today will be
Christmas.

This is a little suggestion for what to do in our homes this week. Play CD’s of Christmas Carols. This, I believe, will give us an awareness of the true meaning of the Christmas Season; for instance, how beautiful it is to hear “Joy to the World, the Lord has Come”. How reflective is the Christmas Carol, “Away in a Manger no Crib for a Bed”. How exhilarating is it to hear “Hark the Herald, Angels Sing, Glory to the New Born King.” The beautiful hymn of invitation for all of us “O Come All Ye Faithful, Joyful and Triumphant.” Another wonderful hymn to the angels “Angels we have heard on High, Sweetly Singing O’er the Plains.” Then there is the beautiful, peaceful hymn “Silent Night, Holy Night, All is Calm, All is Bright, Round Yon Virgin Mother and Child.” A very peppy and joyful hymn is “Go Tell it on the Mountain, over the Hill and Everywhere, Go Tell it on the Mountain, that Jesus Christ is Born.”

A week from Sunday is Christmas, only once a year does this magnificent celebration occur and as the prayer states, Jesus is the Reason for the Season. May we all take time this week, perhaps in just listening to Christmas Carols in our homes, to really reflect that on the First Christmas Day Jesus Christ, Son of God, was born into the world. Truly, how can anything be more awesome!

Fr. Leroy

Third Sunday of Advent: December 11, 2011

2011-12-14T07:17:00.000-08:00

My Dear Parishioners:

Traditionally at St. Edward the Confessor Parish, there is a twice annual collection called “My Gift to the Parish”. This collection happens on the weekends before Christmas and Easter. This is a very important collection and parishioners have always been most generous. So, here we are in this Advent Season 2011 requesting your generosity once again.

This past year, we have had the rectory shingled and have had necessary electrical work done on the Parish property. As in your homes, there is a continual need for upkeep for the Church and the Rectory. During the winter months, there is the cost of snow plowing and sanding, which we hope will not be needed very often this year. But truly, there is always something to do that costs money. So, December 17/18 is the “My Gift to the Parish” weekend and we are asking for your support.
We are sincerely grateful to all of you, and please know how very much your kindness and generosity is appreciated!

Fr. Leroy

Second Sunday of Advent: December 4, 2011

2011-12-02T10:38:00.001-08:00

My Dear Parishioners:

Preparing for Christmas-Getting Ready for December 25th! The TV ads are continually trying to sell us products to buy for family and friends. They are even encouraging us to buy new cars as gifts-I don’t think so! But, as we prepare for Christmas, it is important to remember that we are preparing for the coming of Jesus Christ. Opening up a roadway for the Lord to come into our lives is a never-ending process. We can truly say during the Season of Advent and Christmas, that we celebrate in a special way the ultimate encounter with God in the coming of Jesus.

Theresa of Avila writes in “The Interior Castle” that when we are engaged in worldly business and
pastimes, and even when we are falling into sin and rising from them again, God comes to be in our midst. St. Theresa further states that God comes to us through the conversations of good people, through God’s Word and through the Eucharist. He comes to us in our trials, in our prayer, and in the love of one another. There is no limit to the ways in which God comes into our lives and for that reason, every juncture of our lives can be a place of encounter with the Divine.

During this Season of Advent 2011, may we always be aware of Christ’s presence in our lives and of how deeply He loves us. May this Season truly be one of great joy and gratitude.

Fr. Leroy

Our Lord Jesus Christ the King: November 20, 2011

2011-11-30T10:37:00.000-08:00

My Dear Parishioners,

The following reflection is from the first Christmas card I received by email this past week and I believe it is a good message for all of us to think about. It is entitled “Twas the Month before Christmas”.
Twas the month before Christmas, when all through the land, not a Christian was praying nor taking a stand. The reason for Christmas no one could say, the children were told by their schools not to sing, about shepherds and wise men and angels and things. It might hurt people’s feelings, the teacher would say, December 25th is just a ‘Holiday.’ Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit, pushing folks down to the floor first to get it! CD’s from Madonna, an XBOX, an I-Pod, something was changing, something quite odd! Retailers were hanging their trees upside down, nowhere in stores was the word ‘Christmas’ found. At the top of the Senate there arose such a clatter, to eliminate Jesus in all public matter. As we spoke not a word as they took away our faith, forbidden to speak of salvation and grace. The true gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded, the reason for the season stopped before it started. So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’ sipping Starbucks, listen to me, choose your words carefully; choose what you say, say “Merry Christmas” not “Happy Holiday.”
It is a month from Christmas and as we prepare, may we remember Jesus is the reason for the Season and truly that’s what it’s all about!

Fr. Leroy

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: November 13, 2011

2011-11-30T10:36:00.000-08:00

My Dear Parishioners,

“America’s Got Talent”, “Dancing with the Stars”, and “The Survivor” are all current, popular TV reality shows which draw great audiences throughout the country. Many are truly talented and others are not. At the end of these shows there is voting by judges and also by the audience to select a winner; but all of these contestants use their talents to the best of their abilities.

This is what we are asked to do as we gather at Mass this weekend; to use our talents for the greater glory of God and to enrich our world. In the last days of the liturgical year, Scripture reminds that there will be a final reckoning and we should be mindful that each of us has been given unique gifts and talents.

In all that we are and all that we do, we keep in mind there is no room for procrastination. God’s gifts cannot be left on the shelf, or put away until we retire and have more time. Some of the Talents we possess as Christians are honesty and goodness, patience, kindness, our concern for justice and for peace, and definitely our outreach to others, especially in sickness and death. All of these are God given talents for each of us. May we not bury them as did the servants in this week’s gospel but be like the first two servants, who continue to grow and develop them in each of our lives. The TV show “America’s Got Talent” is exciting and thrilling. May the talents we have be exciting in our lives so that we are all able to radiate the message of Jesus Christ.

Fr. Leroy

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary In Ordinary Time: November 6, 2011

2011-11-30T10:34:00.000-08:00

My Dear Parishioners,

This weekend I am going to call the letter “Fact and Fiction.” Last weekend, as we are so much aware, we had a “nor’easter” in Medfield. Many people were without power in town. St. Edward was very fortunate as we only lost power for a few moments so all the Masses took place. 7:30 (21 people), 9:30 had a few more and 11:30 a few more. The six o’clock naturally suffers because of the Patriot’s game at 4:15. So it was not a good Sunday for Mass attendance.

Now the fiction which I was told by several people during the week. There were many parishioners, rumor has it, at a bagel place in town and it was announced that St. Edward was closed and there were no Masses on Sunday. Truly that, I believe, was too bad because we were right here and wish you could have joined us. The hymn Sunday, which was called “The Summons,” is truly a beautiful and reflective hymn. The first verse reads “Will you come and follow me if I but call your name –will you go where you don’t know and never be the same—will you let my love be shown—will you let my name be known—will you let my life be grown in you and you in me.”

Each week the Lord continues to call us to follow Him and He calls us by name. The importance of worship is to enhance our relationship with Him and grow in His life in word and Eucharist. Truly, we are always here through rain, sleet and snow. This by the way is Fact, Not Fiction.

Fr. Leroy

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 30, 2011

2011-11-30T10:32:00.000-08:00

My Dear Parishioners,

Monday of this coming week is an exciting day in Medfield, as well as surrounding towns and cities, as we celebrate Halloween. It is estimated American people spend over $30 million dollars buying Halloween costumes, candies and other Halloween items. In speaking with children in religious education classes, they have their costumes; some are going to be angels and others have scary outfits. The overall mood of the young people is “we cannot wait for Halloween” and of course they are all looking for treats.

What about ourselves? Halloween is a time when we look out for children. But what would we like to wear? The day after Halloween is November 1st, the Feast of All Saints, a wonderful Holy Day in the Church. Truly, it is a day when we get dressed up in holiness and goodness and prayerfulness. On All Saints day we may reflect on a favorite Saint for which we have devotion, maybe St. Patrick, St. Anthony, St. Francis, St. Clare; and we look at the wonderful lives they led while on earth. Then we should look at our own lives and remind ourselves that we are called to sanctity, to holiness. So as our young people dress up for Halloween, may all of us clothe ourselves in peacefulness, prayerfulness and justice as we continue to prepare ourselves for the Kingdom of God.

Fr. Leroy

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 23, 2011

2011-11-30T10:31:00.000-08:00

My Dear Parishioners,

Last week I wrote about our devotion to Mary and praying the Rosary. This week I thought it would be good to write about the Lord’s Prayer—The Our Father.

On Wednesday morning, October 5th, at 9 AM Mass the Gospel of the Day was Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer. In proclaiming it that morning, it was a great time to reflect on this first prayer we learned. Why is this prayer so important? First of all, according to Luke, this prayer was given by Jesus to his disciples in order to provide them with a special identity, something apparently they did not have. Second, even though the prayer contains a few petitions, these petitions are very important. When Jesus gives these petitions to his disciples, they are most important. In other words they are commands telling God that the one praying has important petitions. Really, Jesus urges the one praying to make demands on God. This means that by nature the Lord’s prayer is unique because of its radical boldness. It really encourages the one praying to be bold and make demands on God our Father.

Jesus had a special relationship with God and he handed it on to his disciples. Through faith it has been given to us and thus when we pray the Our Father, we should be bold in our petitions to God.

Fr. Leroy

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 16, 2011

2011-11-30T10:30:00.000-08:00

My Dear Parishioners,

On Friday, October 7th in the liturgy of the Church, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. This memorial was established by Pope St. Pius V in thanksgiving for the victory at Lepanto in 1571. The month of October, in the church, has traditionally been known as the month of the Rosary. So I thought during this month we could reflect on our devotion to Mary. The rosary is certainly a marvelous prayer which gives us reflection on the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries of the rosary, thus focuses on the incarnation, the sufferings and the glorification of Jesus.

Our present Holy Father, Pope Benedict VXI, in his writings, says he prays one mystery a day and reflects upon that mystery. I was thinking if the Holy Father, certainly if he is able to take time in his busy life to pray a decade of the rosary, so could we. In our families at the dinner table, what a beautiful way to grow in our devotion to Mary, to pray a decade of the rosary, one Our Father, ten Hail Mary’s and a Glory Be to the Father. At that time we think about our devotion to Mary and we also reflect on the mysteries of our Faith.

“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee,
Blessed art thou among women and Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

Certainly, as we look at this prayer, we find peace, joy and comfort in our lives.

Fr. Leroy

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 9, 2011

2011-11-30T10:28:00.000-08:00

My Dear Parishioners,

Traditionally the Feast of St. Edward the Confessor is celebrated on October 13th. This weekend I thought it would be good to write about our patron saint Edward the Confessor , born in England in 1003. At the age of 13 Edward was sent to Normandy with his mother when the Danes invaded England. While in exile he made a vow to go on a pilgrimage to St. Peter’s tomb in Rome, if God would grant an end to his family’s misfortune. In 1042 Edward returned to England and was proclaimed King at the age of 40. The reign of Edward was a peaceful one, characterized by his good rule and remission of military taxes. He is considered one of the most popular of all English Kings.
After settling on the thrown, Edward announced his vow of a pilgrimage to Rome. He was advised
by council not to go because the kingdom would be left exposed to domestic division and to foreign enemies during his absence. Pope St. Leo IX dispensed Edward from his vow if he would give the pilgrimage money to the poor and if he would build, or repair and endow a monastery in honor of St. Peter. King Edward selected an abbey already close to London. It had come to be called West minister. The present church called Westminster Abbey on the site of St. Edward ‘s building was built in the 13th century. The abbey church was consecrated on December 26, 1065 but Edward was too ill to be present and died a week later and was buried in the Abbey. In 1161 St. Edward was canonized by Pope Alexander III on October 13, the day fixed for his feast. The holiness of St. Edward gained him the surname “Confessor”. In medieval times the shrine attracted many pilgrims and a place for many miracles. St. Edward was described in later years as “a man by choice dedicated to God, living the life of an angel in the administration of his Kingdom…. He was so gentle that he would not say a word of reproach to the meanest person.” His favorite diversions were hunting and hawking which he would do for days on end, but never omitted Mass ev
ery morning. He was tall, well-built, with a muddy face and white hair and beard.

We should be very proud our Parish is named after St. Edward the Confessor.

Fr. Leroy

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 2, 2011

2011-11-30T10:23:00.000-08:00

My Dear Parishioners,

During the month of September, I celebrated a wedding almost every weekend. One was on the Cape, and the others were in Boston. One of the weddings was at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, which was a special place to perform a wedding, as I guess we could say it is the Mother Church of the Archdiocese. At wedding receptions, it is always interesting as people seem to like to talk to me about the institutional Church; some have questions, but sadly, many people are very critical of the Church and do not have any positive remarks. Thinking about these remarks over the past weeks, I thought how truly important it is that we enjoy and find great comfort in our worshipping God as a community of believers, being of one heart and one mind.

Now for some great joys of the Church: This past Sunday was Baptismal Sunday at St. Edward. This month four babies were baptized and what a joyful time it was for parents, Godparents, relatives and friends, as small babies became members of the Church! Then on Sunday evening, the 6 PM Mass was packed with young men and women, along with their parents, as they began to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. This again was a Mass of great excitement, peace and joy as these young candidates began their journey to become confirmed Christians in the Church.

Two beautiful Sacraments that enrich the lives of St. Edward Parish and the Church. How positive and wonderful for all of us and what a great way to feel about the Church in our personal lives, in our homes, and work places. Truly is it all good!

Fr. Leroy

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: September 25, 2011

2011-09-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

My Dear Parishioners,

This past Monday evening, I was invited to a parishioner’s home where one of the Arise groups was meeting for the first time this fall. I believe there were 12 people there, six couples. The theme for the evening was the Virtue of Hope. Everyone in the group spoke about the need for hope in their lives and what hope meant to them.

This weekend I thought maybe we could reflect on the need of hope for all of us. St. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, speaks of the three great virtues. He names these virtues as faith, hope and love. So if we think about it, to have hope we certainly need a healthy faith which will lead us into the virtue of hope.

Hope, in the dictionary of the liturgy, is defined as the firm expectation of a future possible good. Christian hope is the fulfillment of the Israelite expectation for the coming of the Messiah into the world; not a human action, but the all-powerful presence of God in the world. At every Mass, we affirm that we hope to enjoy forever the vision of God’s glory. So perhaps this weekend, within our prayer lives and within our struggles, we can place our trust in God. In Him is the gift of hope we received through the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. And, by the way, at the Arise meeting, one of our human hopes was realized when we shared a wonderful meal.

Fr. Leroy

Twenty-Fifth Sunday In Ordinary Time: September 18, 2011

2011-09-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

My Dear Parishioners,

First, I would like to welcome all the parishioners who were away for the summer back to St. Edward. We truly missed all of you.

On Monday, September 12th, we inaugurated our First Annual Golf Tournament. It took place at the Walpole Country Club. The weather was perfect-it was truly a day the Lord had made! The air was filled with joy, happiness and laughter as over 120 women and men came to play golf. To prepare for this day, a group of dedicated people had been meeting and planning for almost the entire past year. It is difficult to mention all those who worked so hard to organize this event, but the person who initiated the tournament was Paul Beggan. So many thanks to him!!

The day ended with an auction and a raffle. Mark Ockerbloom, a St. Edward parishioner and Fox 25 News Anchor, moderated the raffle and silent auction, followed by Pete Cronin, Announcer for the BC Football Games, who raised money for the Parish with his great Irish wit.

Truly it was a most splendid day for the St. Edward Parish community and many thanks to all who made it so successful.

Fr. Leroy

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time: September 11, 2011

2011-09-14T08:04:00.001-07:00

My Dear Parishioners:

Welcome back to all who were away this summer! I hope that this summer was a time of peace and refreshment for all.

In memory of all those who died on September 11, 2001, for those who still suffer and for our Nation, I would like to reprint the prayer given by Pope Benedict XV1 during his visit to Ground Zero in April, 2008:

….God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world:
peace in the hearts of all men and women and peace among the nations of the earth.
Turn to your way of love those whose hearts and minds
are consumed with hatred. God of understanding,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy, we seek your light and guidance as we confront such terrible events. Grant that those whose lives were spared may live so that the lives lost here may not have been lost in vain. Comfort and console us, strengthen us in hope,
and give us the wisdom and courage to work tirelessly for a world where true peace and love reign among nations and in the hearts of all.

Fr. Leroy

June 26, 2011 The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

2011-06-24T12:23:00.000-07:00

My Dear Parishioners;

This is the last letter of the year until September. Schools have closed, many people have left Medfield for the summer, and our lives begin to change. Change can sometimes be difficult for many of us; even small interruptions in our daily routine can throw us off track. But, no change that we will ever experience equals to the change proposed by Jesus in today’s Gospel on this Solemnity of the Feast formerly known as Corpus Christi. Jesus invites us to change who we are; real transformation means transformation of self. It means no longer clinging to who we are or acting as we want, but to truly let go.

The real change Jesus invites us to is to become like Him, the living bread. We are each given the invitation to partake in the Body and Blood of Christ so that we are able to become different people. We are asked to do our daily tasks well and out of love, we are asked to be honest, just and forgiving, and then one day this transformation will lead us to eternal life.

May God Bless all of you this summer, and for those leaving Medfield, we wish you a Happy Vacation and, as the song goes, we will see you in September . . .

Fr. Leroy

June 19, 2011: The Most Holy Trinity

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My Dear Parishioners;

We all truly love a mystery story for mysteries intrigue us. Sometimes we might even say they frustrate us, as we always want to know “who done it.”

This weekend, we celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity who is always intriguing to us—most likely does not frustrate us, but does always elude solving. This mystery we cannot and ought not ignore, for the Trinity is the source of our life and our holiness. God chose to create and redeem humanity in an unequaled act of love. Certainly the passage from John’s Gospel is beautiful for us to reflect upon: God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son that we may have Divine Life. The mystery of the Trinity is much more than a theological concept—the Trinity is the mystery of a lived presence within and among us; it gives us joy, encouragement and peace. It is truly awesome that God invites us to share in the greatest of all mysteries, the Holy Trinity.

This weekend as we reflect on this magnificent mystery, may we remind ourselves that the mystery of the Trinity calls us to go deeper within ourselves to truly have an intimacy with God in our personal lives, but also to go beyond ourselves by reaching outward to others in mercy, joy and compassion.

Fr. Leroy

June 12, 2011: Pentecost Sunday

2011-06-15T08:18:00.000-07:00

My Dear Parishioners,

A week ago Friday, I attended a really wonderful birthday party. The person was 40 years of age and was given truly a spectacular party. It was full of enthusiasm and excitement, with the gathering of many family members and friends. There was great food and wine and a lot of laughter and fun was had by all. Birthday celebrations are great events no matter the age; there is cake and maybe ice cream, sending of cards and perhaps gift giving, but it is a moment in all of our lives to celebrate.

This weekend we celebrate the birthday of the Church. The day called Pentecost, the 50th day after Easter. The celebration on that day was again truly spectacular. The apostles were in the upper room living in fear and the spirit of the Lord filled the entire house and then appeared tongues of fire which rested on each of them. They began to speak in different tongues. We could say the birthday celebration of the Church began as the apostles and disciples went into the known world and proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ. Pentecost, however, we could say is more than celebrating our birth into the risen life of Christ. We can speak of a birthday of the Church only when we make the Church a reality in the way we live our daily lives. So let’s make each day a “birthday” by birthing of the risen life of Christ in each other.

So Happy Birthday to us all.

Fr. Leroy

June 5, 2011: Seventh Sunday of Easter

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My Dear Parishioners,

Easter, at this point in our lives, seems so long ago; but in the liturgy of the Church, we are still celebrating the Easter Season. This weekend brings us to the Seventh Sunday of Easter. Easter and the message of Jesus continually invites us to bring His good news to the world. He challenges us to use our talents and our personal gifts to bring His Word into the world.

This past week I read a beautiful prayer created by John Henry Cardinal Newman and it goes as follows: “God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another person. I have a mission—I may never know in my life, but I shall be told it in the next. I have a part in a great work. I am a link in a chain, a bond between persons.”

This certainly is a beautiful and reflective prayer for each of us in our daily lives. Every day in each of our lives there will be occasions when some word, some gesture, some deed will satisfy the need of someone-perhaps even ourselves. May we take Cardinal Newman’s prayer to heart and in that way we carry out Jesus’ message in this year 2011.

Fr. Leroy

May 29, 2011: Sixth Sunday of Easter

2011-06-15T08:08:00.000-07:00

My Dear Parishioners,

This weekend I am writing about our Youth Minister, Russ Petrus. This past week, Russ submitted his resignation to me which certainly brought great sadness. Russ has taken a new position in Cleveland, Ohio, where his family lives and where he has concerns about his family at this time.

Russ, in the two years he has been at St. Edward Parish, has brought many gifts to the youth of our parish. He has brought them to beautiful prayer experiences and has prepared them in a very excellent manner for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Russ has made our youth aware of peace and justice issues during the mission trip to Camden, New Jersey and during the annual experience of Christmas in the City.

In the office, Russ has been our tech man, having great knowledge of computers/internet and has repeatedly assisted our staff with complex, technical situations. Truly we have been blessed with having Russ Petrus and we will miss him very much. We wish him well in his new position in Cleveland, Ohio and remind him that he is always welcome at St. Edward Parish in Medfield, Massachusetts.

Fr. Leroy

May 22, 2011: Fifth Sunday of Easter

2011-06-15T08:07:00.000-07:00

My Dear Parishioners,

It is Tuesday morning, May 17th as I write this letter. We have just celebrated a wonderful event at the 9 AM Mass for we had a wedding—Mary Ronayne and Bill Durgin got married!! Mary is a faithful 9 AM parishioner and one past Christmas she sent a Christmas card to a long-time friend, Bill. Mary, a nurse, took care of his son until he passed away. Recently, when Bill received her Christmas card, he invited Mary out to dinner and the relationship grew from there. So this Tuesday morning, at the 9 AM Mass, parishioners, friends and relatives of the Bride and Groom gathered in the chapel and they were married. Anne Marie David played the piano and everyone sang. It was a wedding of simplicity, goodness and peace and made everyone truly happy. After the Mass and ceremony they had a breakfast in the hall.

We wish Mary and Bill well in their married life with many years of happiness. Mary is moving to Rhode Island and the people at morning Mass will truly miss her.

By the way, if you want to feel good about your day, join us at the 9 AM Mass. It is a wonderful, prayerful experience with great people!

Fr. Leroy

May 15, 2011: Fourth Sunday of Easter

2011-06-15T08:06:00.001-07:00

My Dear Parishioners,

This past Sunday, May 8th, our nation celebrated Mother’s Day. It is a great day when mothers are honored and remembered with cards and presents, and maybe even breakfast in bed. At this time, may we also think about our devotion to Mary, Mother of God, as May is the month dedicated to the Blessed Mother.
After learning the Lord’s Prayer as children, the next prayer we learn is the Hail Mary. We pray and honor her as being Full of Grace, and Blessed Among Women. Then as the prayer continues we state that she is the Mother of God and we ask her to pray for us sinners.

Our devotion to Mary is most important to each of us as Catholics. In troubled times, we look to her; she is the help of the sick and to those in need and she is truly the Queen of Peace. In the beautiful hymn, “Hail Mary: Gentle Woman”, we sing “gentle Woman, quiet light, morning star, so strong and bright, gentle Mother, peaceful dove, teach us wisdom, teach us love”.
During this month of May, may we strengthen our devotion to Mary and allow her to teach us wisdom and love; may we find a peaceful calmness in our own lives as we reflect on the
beautiful virtues of Mary, Mother of God.

Fr. Leroy

May 8, 2011: Third Sunday of Easter

2011-06-15T08:04:00.000-07:00

My Dear Parishioners,

This Saturday, May 7th, we celebrated First Communion here at St. Edward. Over 100 young boys and girls, all dressed in beautiful white robes, received the Eucharist, the body and blood of Christ, for the first time. First Communion in a parish community is truly the best. It’s a day when family, relatives and friends dress in their fine clothes and gather in church. It is a day of celebration which I believe we all remember.

Today, may we take time to reflect on the beautiful Sacrament of the Eucharist-when Jesus feeds and nourishes us with His body and blood so that we may grow in His life. As we rejoice with our young boys and girls, may this be a time to strengthen our own commitment to our faith and to our weekly worship to God Our Father. Jesus says, “I am the Bread of Life, he who eats my flesh and drinks by blood will have life in me.” We all certainly need the life of God within us, and the way we do this is through the reception of the Eucharist.

May God Bless all of the children who received First Communion,

Fr. Leroy