Fr. Mike's Message - 04/25/2021

It has been so nice to see so many people in Church!  What a blessing it is that we can safely gather, care for each other, and pray together.  If you are still not comfortable with coming in person to Church, no worries.  Keep tuning into our livestream and be sure to pray along with us during our Masses.  We are blessed to be able to bring the Mass into your home via our new livestream equipment.
 
Our Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) drive continues this weekend. Pledge cards will be available after all of the Masses again this weekend.  The ACA makes possible a large amount of assistance to people in need.  As I mentioned last week, whether we are aware of it or not, we all know or are familiar with at least one person who has benefitted from the ACA.  Whether it’s the students at our Borgia High School, someone who receives counseling assistance from our Catholic agency, St. Louis Counseling, someone who receives pregnancy counseling and support to bring a child to birth, our seminarians who are studying and preparing for their vocation as priests, etc. 

The ACA is a real blessing to thousands of people, including people in our area.  It is only possible because of the gifts that we offer.  I would encourage you to consider a gift, no matter the size. When we put our gifts together, they make a tremendous impact and make a difference in the lives of our neighbors near and far.  Even if you are unable to give this year, please indicate such on your pledge card.  This will save our office staff and volunteers lots of time and will save our parish money.  (Special note: if you are a registered parishioner, we have an ACA card with your name on it, so it’s important that we hear from you so we can save time with following up. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation with this.)
 
This coming Saturday, May 1st, will be the Ordination of a Transitional Deacon for our Archdiocese.  Some of you may have met Donald Morris who spent a year on internship at Our Lady of Lourdes here in Washington.  Donald will be ordained a deacon this year and will plan to be ordained a priest next May.  Fr. Tony and I will both be heading to the Cathedral this Saturday morning for the Ordination. Because of the timing of it, we will not be available after 8:00 a.m. Mass on Saturday for confessions like we normally would be.  Thanks for your understanding of this.  Please pray for Donald and all of our seminarians who are finishing up this academic year. 
 
Speaking of seminarians, we are grateful for John Windsor, a seminarian from Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, who spent this year with us on Sunday mornings.  John spent his time with us usually at 9:00 a.m. Mass and then went out afterward to bring Communion to those who couldn’t make it to Church.  He did a great job while here and we wish him the best and promise our prayers for him.
 
Today is World Day of Prayer for Vocations.  Please take some time to pray for more vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Religious Life.  If you know of a young person whom you  think would make a good priest or Sister, please invite them to consider a religious vocation.  Let’s all join our prayers together that the hearts of our young people will be open to the Lord’s call.
 
Today, the 4th Sunday of Easter, is also traditionally known as Good Shepherd Sunday.  If you get a chance, I would encourage you to send a note to some of our previous pastors to let them know of your prayers for them and your gratitude for their priestly service of shepherding souls here at St. Francis Borgia.  Here’s the names and addresses of some of our former pastors:

Fr. Robert Banken
Mother of Good Counsel Home
6825 Natural Bridge Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63121
 
Msgr. Jack Costello
St. Peter Parish
243 W. Argonne
St. Louis, MO 63122
 
Fr. Andrew Sigmund
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish
5020 Rhodes Ave 
St. Louis, MO 63109
 
Fr. Brian Hecktor
St. John Paul II Parish
4980 Heege Rd. 
St. Louis, MO 63123
 
Fr. Joe Wormek
All Saints Parish
5 McMenamy Rd. 
St. Peters, MO 63376

I know they would love to hear from you if you have a moment to jot a note to any of them.  And if you would like to write a note of appreciation to our Chief Shepherd, Archbishop Rozanski, I know he’d appreciate hearing from you.  Here’s his address:

Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski
Archdiocese of St. Louis
20 Archbishop May Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63119

Every priest I know who has served here has loved his time at Borgia, including Fr. Tony and me.  Know of our gratitude to you and our prayers for you.  It’s an honor to be serving as your priests.
 
On a good news note, a very special, blessed, and happy birthday to Miriam Weseman who will be  turning 105 on April 28th! Miriam has been a parishioner since 1941!!!  Wow!  What a blessing Miriam has been and continues to be to St. Francis Borgia.  Happy Birthday, Miriam!