We just celebrated the great day on which Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven. Although the Church has always and everywhere believed that Mary “having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory” it was not formally defined as dogma until 1950. Venerable Pope Pius XII wrote in Munificentissimus Deus (say that a couple times fast…) that Mary “by an entirely unique privilege, completely overcame sin by her Immaculate Conception, and as a result she was not subject to the law of remaining in the corruption of the grave, and she did not have to wait until the end of time for the redemption of her body.”

In other words, when any of us humans die our earthly remains do just that: they remain here on earth - in urns and coffins. We Christians know that the “the souls of the just are in the hands of God” (Wisdom 3:1) and that through Jesus Christ’s salvation our souls go to heaven. We don’t lose hope even though we or loved ones experience an earthly death. Nevertheless, we also profess in every rosary that we believe in “the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.” This means that on the last day the earthly remains of Jesus’ followers (you and me!) will be gloriously resurrected.

Mary, being the Mother of God and just awesome, didn’t have to wait… We celebrate that she was given this privilege and shows us what awaits all of us who remain faithful to Her Son, Jesus.

Congratulations to Bob Solis and Antonio Reynoso on being selected by Bishop John Dolan to be ordained permanent deacons! I received word from Bishop Dolan himself on how happy he was to make this decision and to see our brothers become deacons. They will join Deacon Bill Booth in service to our parish, particularly in assistance to the poor and vulnerable and during the Sacred Liturgy.

Both Bob and Antonio are very well-known, longtime parishioners who have already had such a remarkable impact at St. John Vianney. Over the years Bob and his wife Sallie have helped teach English, provide care for children, built and cared for an orphanage in South Africa, raised a wonderful family of their own and most recently led the Brazos Abiertos ministry to immigrants and refugees in Arizona. Antonio and his wife Araceli have served as a mentor couple to countless engaged couples and on into marriages. Hundreds (probably thousands!) of Catholics went through the RCIA programs in Spanish thanks to their zeal for making Christ known and loved. They too have raised a beautiful family that likewise follows the example of their parents and grandparents.

As a parish we are going to celebrate Bob & Antonio (with Sallie & Araceli!) as they near the “Big Day”, November 9. Stay tuned for details… In the meantime, please join me in a prayer of thanksgiving and for blessings on these two great men and their families!

Speaking of families, we know that the family that prays together stays together. Let’s take that seriously this week and spend a little time each day praying together in our homes, as a family. May God bless you all!

In Christ,

Fr. David

BACK TO LIST BACK