A little over a century ago there lived in Ireland a little girl named Nellie Organ. The Good Shepherd Sisters who were raising her recognized something special in this child, who spoke of seeing “Holy God.” From the age of 3 she wanted so fervently to receive Holy Communion at Mass. Alas, at the time, 1906, Catholic children were not given First Holy Communion until the minimum age of 12.

Little Nellie had lost her mother to tuberculosis and her father was an enlisted soldier who couldn’t provide her with the care she needed. So, she was a little girl who had already experienced grief and pain, but growing up with the Sisters she learned of Jesus’ love for her and the other kids of the orphanage - and His Real Presence in Holy Communion.

Just after turning four years old she contracted tuberculosis and the doctor delivered the sad diagnosis that she had only a few months to live. The sisters and the parish priest urged the local bishop to give permission for Nellie to receive Holy Communion even though she was so much younger than 12. The bishop did so and she was given Confirmation and First Holy Communion in December 1907, dying just a few weeks later.

The story of this wonderful young person became widespread throughout the English-speaking Catholic world and eventually reached (St.) Pope Pius X. It is said that this great saint had been praying for a sign to lower the age for First Communion and saw in little Nellie exactly that. Just two years after her death he issued the decree Quam Singulari (1910) that said children should receive First Communion upon reaching “the age of discretion, about 7 years, more or less.” In the Diocese of Phoenix this is in 3rd Grade but we hope it may change again so that children can receive Jesus even younger - as soon as they recognize His Real Presence. May little Nellie and the great St. Pius X pray for us all, and all the children of our parish.

Continuing in this Year of Eucharistic Revival, we also are happy to announce that our Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will continue throughout the summer with the same schedule as always. Come and spend time with Jesus, Really Present, making a Holy Hour, a Holy Half-Hour or even just a few minutes Visit. You’ll be so happy and blessed that you did! The Eucharist is Exposed and the Chapel open from 8:30am-9:00pm Monday-Thursday and 8:30am-7:00pm Friday. Let’s pray that we can soon begin “24-7” Adoration!

We have officially begun our new sacramental schedule. In addition to all the currently scheduled Masses and Confessions we have added:

Mass: Tuesday & Thursday at 6:00pm (bilingual)

Confessions: Sunday at 4:00pm & Thursday at 7:00pm

Please remember that for the Sunday and Thursday confessions only one priest will be available during each time and we have to keep the confessions to just one hour on those days. Confessions on Tuesday and Saturday will continue to be 2 priests.

May God bless you all this week and keep our families safe and holy. Remember, the family that prays together stays together!

Fr. David

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