Hello, dear friends,
As we begin to emerge from this long quarantine, I pray that you all are staying healthy and keeping your sense of humor. This is to remind you that the Florida Catholic and La Voz Católica for the month of May are out – once again, in digital only format since our churches have not reopened just yet. Both newspapers include updates on the coronavirus (yes, we must) including a timeline of all the steps the archdiocese has taken since the start of this pandemic. I believe this will be useful for historical purposes as well as providing local Catholics with an accurate view of all that the Church has done and continues to do. As Archbishop Wenski says, we never “closed.”
Speaking of the archbishop, he’s about to mark 10 years as chief shepherd in the archdiocese, and both newspapers note that by publishing an interview where the archbishop answers some questions about the past decade and what lies ahead for the Catholic Church in South Florida. I am also sharing with you a proposed novena leading up to his anniversary June 1. We will be sharing that campaign on social media, so please repost, retweet, retag, copy, paste and everything else on your social media platforms and websites.
La Voz Católica this month also offers some interesting reflections from its columnists about the Virgin Mary and the rosary – as well as a beautiful cover.
I hope you enjoy reading both and ask you again to post links to the digital edition on your websites to encourage your parishioners to read them. Feel free to use the attached images, and here are the links:
Fla. Catholic Miami edition – https://miami.thefloridacatholic.org/Florida-Catholic-of-Miami-05212020-e-Edition/0/
La Voz Católica – https://miami.thefloridacatholic.org/Florida-Catholic-of-Miami-05212020-e-Edition/16/
In the meantime, we continue to post articles online – many more than can fit in print but print provides an orderly summation of what’s been happening. Website updates are more timely but feel more scattered. We also continue to publish, in print and online, the schedule of your livestreamed Masses. We really want to keep those updated, so if you stop livestreaming or change the schedule, I ask you to please let me know.
Finally, once again, I just want to tell you how fortunate I am in this role, to have a front row view of your creativity, energy, drive and pastoral concern for your parishioners. I have been awed, amazed and frankly, moved to tears by all that you have done and continue to do. For the past few months, I have tried to share as much of that good news with as many as possible, and I will continue to do so. If there’s anything I or anyone else in the Communications office can do to help you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
We live in interesting times, as the saying goes, and also challenging ones. But I am convinced the Holy Spirit is guiding us, and your work is part of the reason for my conviction. May God bless you and keep you always safe and close to Him.
Now here’s the novena. It was actually suggested by a Broward parishioner who insists on remaining anonymous. It’s based on the novena for the anniversary of priestly ordination, with some of the wording changed. It would start Saturday, May 23, and continue through Sunday, May 31.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Dear Lord Jesus,
You have given us a holy priest in Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski. We are grateful for the many blessings of this good man who brings us Your holy sacraments of salvation. Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski’s hands and prayers bring us Your saving grace in the waters of baptism, Your infinite mercy in forgiving our sins and Your sustaining and saving grace in the most Holy Eucharist.
We pray that he will have a long life with which to bless Your Church and a happy death as he is ushered into Your eternal bliss. Just as Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski is there to anoint the dying, grant that he will receive the same grace at his death. We beg You, Jesus, that this holy priest will be protected from all spiritual and temporal attacks and that his fidelity to the Church and faith in You will endure, unwavering, until the end.
Father in heaven, bless and multiply Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski’s ministry so that Your Church will multiply for Your glory and for our salvation. Please shower him with your blessings every day. We praise and thank You, most Holy God, for the gift of Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski! We thank You for his years of service and ask You to bless us with many more years with our beloved Archbishop. Amen.