52 Masses

Today marked the final day for me to attend Mass with Father Scott Morgan presiding. He’ll be here at St. John the Evangelist for a final sendoff Sunday, but we’ll be out of town moving our youngest into his new apartment in Grand Rapids.

It’s been a joy to watch Father Scott grow in his role here as parochial vicar and I have no doubt he will do a wonderful job at Our Lady of the Hills family of parishes. That growth is so evident in his homilies.

Today, on the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, he was noting some of John’s eccentricities, when he remarked (and I’m paraphrasing), “You don’t have to be crazy to live a life of faith, but you do need to be madly in love with our Lord and Savior.” I really liked that.

Best of luck, Father Scott.

Work took me to the Hartford area on Tuesday and my faith took me to Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Unionville. Now, if you’re familiar with Unionville, Connecticut, and I assume you are, you’re probably wondering why a church that’s nowhere near the sea, or even the Sound, is named Star of the Sea. And, per the church’s website, I can report that they’re not totally sure.

A funny thing happened on the way to Mass. I plugged the church’s address into my phone and was dutifully following the directions. As I neared the church, I came upon a car bearing a bumper sticker urging me to Pray the Rosary and I casually wondered if this vehicle was going to the same place I was.

When the SUV pulled into the left turn lane, I quickly assumed otherwise. But something forced me to look down at the map on my phone, where I discovered that a left turn was, in fact, called for, despite the usually nice lady inside it opting not to share that information with me.

So I jumped in the left lane and was led directly to the church, proving once again that if you truly want proper direction in your life, the Rosary is a much better option than modern technology.

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Bear with me, but this will get a little convoluted. But like most, yesterday was an exciting day, so you can forgive a fellow a little convolution.

The announcement of the new pope, Habemus Papam, and his chosen name, Leo XIV immediately reminded me of my trip to Europe last year. My wife and I spent time in Germany, Switzerland and France. The highlight, for me, was our short stop in the gorgeous town of Eguisheim. This Medieval village gave us, among other things Pope Leo IX, who would be canonized 28 years after his death. In Eguisheim, they refer to him as Saint Leon.

As the conclave was reaching its decision on the next leader of our Church, I was not at home waiting the white smoke. Rather, I was in Mexico on a work trip, schlepping around a trade show in the town of Monterrey. And where in Mexico is Monterrey located?

In Nuevo Leon. A new Leon.

God bless our new holy father.

For only the second time in my life, I attended a movie on opening night. *

Last night, my wife and I joined a number of parishioners from St. John the Evangelist at the premiere of Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality. The story has particular significance to those of us at St. John (and St. Michael and St. Gabriel), as we will become the Saint Carlo Acutis Family of Parishes upon his canonization.

That canonization was supposed to take place on Sunday, though that was delayed due to the passing of Pope Francis. That explains both the timing of the release and the unfortunate assumption in the film when he is referred to as a saint. But that’s about the only misstep in an engrossing and well-done film.

The story tells about the life of Carlo Acutis, while also how Carlo was able to defy the damage done through digital obsessiveness in his evangelization efforts. At the same time, we follow a group of high school students from North Dakota on a pilgrimage to Italy, the fellow young people who represent the fruits of Blessed Carlo’s considerable efforts.

*Years ago, at my baseball-loving son’s insistence, we saw the Jackie Robinson story, 42, on opening night. So, I’m two for two in choosing worthwhile subjects for such a distinction.

Since Rome was out of the question, I thought the next-best way for me to recognize the passing of Pope Francis was to attend Sunday Mass at Bellarmine Chapel. The parish is located on the campus of Xavier University, operated by Pope Francis’ fellow Jesuits.

While his photo was up near the altar and we offered prayers for the repose of his soul and for the Holy Spirit to guide the Cardinals in their selection of his successor, the focus of this Mass was elsewhere. Specifically, on Alice, Blair and Luka, the three children who became the newest members of the faith through Baptism Sunday.

I have to think Pope Francis would have preferred it that way.

May you soon join God our Father, all the angels and saints in his kingdom, Papa Francisco.

(Photo courtesy Xavier University)