Dear Beloved Parishioners,
SOOOO, I have to cancel tomorrow’s ‘Picnic Table build’, originally scheduled for 10am (Saturday, March 19th). Though we have had all the benches and tables and cross bracings for a while, it seems that the company neglected to send the nuts and bolts needed to connect each of those elements together… Were it not for Mr. Pat McCleish asking me earlier in the week what kind of sockets we might need, and me heading over there with Mr. Golden to assemble one to see what would be required, I would never have known about the absence and would have transported all the tables and boxes to the field, only to have to return them for lack of parts.
The company was to have gotten the needed parts to us today, but that did not happen, and at this stage, I am not sure when they actually might arrive. But I know they will not be here for tomorrow’s scheduled (and now cancelled) build. Thanks to all who had set aside time to help.
The good news is that the assembly looks pretty easy, with twenty nuts and bolts all total connecting the top and benches to the frame and two cross braces connecting the frames together. So, once the needed hardware comes in, I may send out a quick APB for volunteers, thinking that the hardest part will be the transporting of the parts to the field… Again, no build tomorrow, and thanks to those who had set time aside…
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All things Ukrainian…
With the ever-changing situation in the Ukraine, the Archdiocese of St. Louis recommends the following two suggestions for getting aid to the people of Ukraine:
The first option for aid is through the Ukrainian Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. If you either take up a second collection or a poor box collection for aid, checks may be sent directly to the Ukrainian Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The check should be marked “Humanitarian Aid Fund for Ukraine.” The address is 810 N. Franklin Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123. Electronic donations can be made here.
(FYI- Though we had a last minute collection on Ash Wednesday [and were notified about that the day before] will have a basket on the bottom shelf just inside the doors where you have been dropping your donations since the pandemic began, clearly marked as: FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE UKRAINE at all the Masses this weekend. And will bundle your checks and convert your cash donations and send them on by Friday, March 25th.]
And if you do not want to go that route, Catholic Relief Services is well known for its presence to disaster areas for bringing immediate aid to those who are in need. Donations may be sent to Catholic Relief Services/Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine. Please send checks to 228 W. Lexington Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-3443 or donations can be directly made through the Catholic Relief Services website here.
We thank you for your prayers, concern and willingness to help out our brothers and sisters who are in such a dire situation.
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In addition, it seems that the Holy Father has asked us to consecrate the Ukraine and Russia to The Immaculate Heart of Mary as asked by Our Lady of Fatima. That consecration will happen in Rome on Friday, March 25, and is to be mirrored in every church around the world in a hour corresponding to 5pm Rome time.
More details will be coming (as they are scant at the moment). I will be in conversation with Mrs. Schroff about when will be best to celebrate that consecration here at St. Justin Martyr, hoping to include our students in that prayer experience.
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Finally, a PRAYER FOR UKRAINE IN TIME OF WAR
by Deacon Eugene Logusch
St. Mary’s Assumption Ukrainian Catholic Church
O Lord our God, powerful and mighty in war, we who are unworthy to call upon You do yet humbly pray: take up the arms of Your strength and Your shield of protection and save us. Arise in our defense and raise the sword of Your victory; put to flight those who war against us and persecute us and turn away in shame those who plot evil against us. We pray you, hear us quickly and show your generous mercy.
O Lord our God, powerful and mighty in war, it is You alone who have the power to bring to life and put to death. You alone have the power to grant strength and valor to whomever You wish and to grant victory over our enemies in the face of defeat, and to make the vainglorious weak and cowardly. You alone can destroy the vanity of the conceited and turn their hardness and arrogance into the cowardice of retreat.
You vouchsafed to Your servant Abraham and his band of warriors, victory over those who held captive his nephew Lot, and returned him home with great spoil. You afforded to Your servant Moses the steadfastness of hand to uphold Your staff and rouse Joshua and the army of Israel to put to the sword the horde of the Amalekites. Through Your servant Gideon, who placed his hope in Your strength, and his three hundred men You defeated an innumerable army of Midianites, striking fear in their hearts and putting to flight the enemies of your people Israel. Upon your servant Samson You bestowed the strength that comes only of faith and moved him to topple the den of the Philistine idol low to the dust. You granted to David Your servant, who contended in many and difficult wars, and who always placed his trust in You alone, strength, power, valor, and victory over his enemies.
Do now, O All-powerful, All-good, and All-merciful Master, look upon us Your unworthy servants, who call upon You with faith and trust, and grant us deliverance from our attackers and foil their haughty plans for our destruction. Grant to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people the lasting peace of just victory and heal their wounds and sorrows. Comfort them in their grief and mourning and protect them wherever they may flee. Grant grace and peace to those who aid them and to those who receive them with open arms. Return them to their homeland and grant to all citizens of Ukraine the strength and wisdom to rebuild their shattered land to Your own lasting praise and glory. Amen.
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A Song for Peace… You will recognize the song. And the children’s voices are lovely… -they are the Rise Up Junior Choir.
blessings,
fr bill