Funeral of Ivan on Thursday and Sunday news

Hello again!

I know that many were asking about when the funeral of Iván would be. It is on Thursday November 7 at 8:00 PM in the main church. The OLM choir will be there and Cristina Gahan is setting up some refreshments for after the service. I hope you can make it, if not, please include Susanna and her little girls Esther and Matilda in your prayers. It is sad that he left us so young but we know that he is with God now and one day we shall also share in the same reward.

On Sunday:

CCD and all activities resume. There will be a children’s Mass sponsored by level 8, Cristina Gahan’s class. These are always uplifting Masses. I hope the children speak up a bit more this month than last month when I ask them questions!

Also on Sunday:

María Vallejo-Nágera will visit our parish. She is a well-known Spanish author who has written a number of books. She is amazing and very personable.  She has also won a number of awards. One of her best sellers “Badlands” speaks profoundly of the pain of abortion. She has donated a significant number of books to OLM (all in English) and she will be available to sign them and answer your questions after Mass in one of the classrooms. We will use the biggest classroom as the fellowship room gets too loud. You can get your coffee and come in at a staggered time. We have many books and hope you pick up your free gift.

Also, Carla, a friend of mine from Michigan State University (where I studied Computer Science a 100 years ago, will be visiting. I asked her to cancel her Sunday plans to experience OLM. I know we will make her feel welcome.

I went to court because that man who was harassing a parishioner returned to church after his restraining order expired. They informed me that he was sentenced to pay a fine but they did not extend the restraining order even though he broke it. The police advised me that we should call them if he returns, even if it is uncomfortable. Please pray for a peaceful resolution to this situation. In my 32 years as a priest, I never denied Holy Communion to anyone, except to this man. If you see this happen, please know that I or other Ministers of Holy Communion cannot give Holy Communion to a man who is stalking a married woman.

After that sad news, something to make you smile:

Natural Born

In one of my child’s classes, they were discussing the qualifications to be president of the United States. It was pretty simple – the candidate must be a natural born citizen of at least 35 years of age. However, one girl in the class immediately started in on how unfair was the requirement to be a natural born citizen.

In short, her opinion was that this requirement prevented many capable individuals from becoming president. The class wasjust taking it in and letting her rant, but everyone’s jaw hit the floor when she wrapped up her argument by stating, “What makes a natural born citizen any more qualified to lead this country than one born by C-section?”