Happy Independence Day! This weekend our country is celebrating its 250th anniversary since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The birthplace of the G.O.A.T. country is our city of Philadelphia. This Sunday, The Catholic Church of Philadelphia will be celebrating with the conclusion of the Procession of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (it began in Saint Augustine, Florida, where the first Eucharist in our nation was celebrated).
Departing from the cathedral, the procession will end at the Shrine of our Saint John Newman, fourth bishop of Philadelphia and founder of our parish! He was the first bishop to celebrate confirmation in Saint Aloysius in Pottstown. (A canonized saint came to our parish! )
The beginnings of our country were far from perfect. Even though we’re not there yet, we have made a lot of progress, for instance, thank God we are allowed to live out our Catholic faith and follow our meek and humble King.
All these hallmarks of our church, our city, and our country give me a lot to remember and meditate on what God has done for us and what He can do despite of us.
What a way to start this new chapter! Great events to write about on my first pastor corner (or parochial administrator corner?) Spoiler alert! I’m not as good or as funny as fr. Wilson at writing, but after 250 years I hope that I will improve somewhat. Although perfection will never be fully realized here on earth we can aim high, shoot for the stars, see that star-spangled banner wave, and strive to leave our country and parish better than we found it.
Pray for me. I’ll be praying for you at the National Eucharist procession in Philly, and every day of my ministry with you. Hold tight. Hang in there. May this ride be holy and fun. May God bless you and yours. May God bless Pottstown. And may God bless the United States of America. Here we go…
Peace
Father Wesly