In Congress, July 4, 1776 – The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. 

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly, all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world. 

In every stage of these oppressions, we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. 

Nor have we been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends. 

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by authority of the good people of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor. 

Readings and reflection questions for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 28 June 2026 

2^nd Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a – With whom do you dine on a regular basis?  / Would people see you as a holy person of God? Why or why not? / What would be your response if Elisha asked, “can something be done for you?” 

Responsorial Psalm 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19 – R. Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. – What are the promises of the Lord? How loudly are you singing them? / What is the joyful shout? How do you know it? 

Romans 6:3-4, 8-11 – When and where were you baptized? What is the significance of baptism? / Do you think of yourself as dead to sin and living for God? 

Matthew 10:37-42 – What crosses have you taken up? Who or what helped you to carry them? What crosses are you hesitant to carry? Why? What graces do you need from God to take it up? / With whom have you shared cups of cold water? Who has shared cups with you?  

“Joseph saw Jesus grow daily, in wisdom and in years and in divine and human favor. As the Lord had done with Israel, so Joseph did with Jesus: teaching him to walk, taking him by the hand, raising him to his cheeks, bending down to feed him. In Joseph, Jesus saw the tender love of God.” 

“Joseph’s heart is such that what he learned from the law he made dependent on charity. Joseph is firmly proactive; his acceptance and welcome are expressions of the Holy Spirit’s gift of fortitude. Joseph teaches us that acceptance of the Father’s will is not mere resignation but a sign of hope and courage that opens us to the deeper meaning of living our lives in accordance with the Gospel. The faith that Christ teaches us is evident in St. Joseph. He did not look for shortcuts, but he confronted reality with open eyes and accepted personal responsibility for it. Joseph’s attitude encourages us to accept and welcome others as they are, without exception, and to show special concern for the weak, and to love the stranger in our midst.” 

“Similarly, in the face of difficulty, St. Joseph engaged with it and brought out resources he didn’t think that he had. Arriving in Bethlehem and finding no lodging where Mary could give birth, Joseph took a stable and, as best he could, turned it into a welcoming home for the Son of God to come into the world. For at the times when we seem to be abandoned it is God’s trust in us and in our creativity where we can turn a problem into a possibility, trusting in divine providence.” 

“An aspect of St. Joseph that has been emphasized from the time of the first social Encyclical, is his relation to work. St. Joseph was a carpenter who earned an honest living to provide for his family. From him, Jesus learned the value, the dignity, and the joy of what it means to eat bread that is the fruit of one’s own labor.”  

“In his relationship to Jesus, Joseph was the earthly shadow of the heavenly Father. Joseph never made himself the center of things. He found happiness not in mere self-sacrifice but in self-gift. In St. Joseph we never see frustration but only trust. His patient silence was the prelude to concrete expressions of trust. In a way, we are all like Joseph: a shadow of the heavenly Father, and a shadow that follows his Son.” 

Reading and reflection questions for the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle “A” – 21 June 2026 

Jeremiah 20:10-13 – Do you watch the missteps of others? Do you watch your missteps? / What were the failures of Jeremiah’s former friends? What is lasting, unforgettable confusion? Does this cause them to be beyond hope? / Why does Jeremiah want to witness vengeance?  / In what way do you need to be rescued by the Lord?  

Responsorial Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35 – R. Lord, in your great love, answer me. – Has being a follower of Christ caused you to be an outcast? What sustained you in these challenges? / Are you seeking God? Where do you tend to find him? Where does he tend to find you?  / What moves in the seas? In what ways can they praise God?  

Romans 5:12-15 – How has being a recipient of the gracious gift of Jesus affected your relationship with him? Do you allow this gift to overflow in every aspect of your life or do you try to contain it? 

Matthew 10:26-33 – What are your fears? How does your trust in God keep those fears in check? / Are you concealing anything from God? / What is God saying to you in the darkness? When given the opportunity, are you speaking those words? / What is the difference between the body and the soul? How do they interact with each other? How do they influence each other? / Rectify “But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father,” with the denial of St. Peter during the Passion of the Lord.  (See Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75) Have you ever denied God?

The National Eucharistic Procession began in St. Augustine, Florida on Memorial Day weekend. This procession of the Eucharist has been in a continuous route since then. Currently, the Eucharistic Procession is in the Camden Diocese before continuing its northeastern progression into New England. The National Eucharistic Procession will culminate here in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia with a celebration of Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Sunday 5 July followed by a procession from the Cathedral to the Shrine of St. John Neumann. The National Eucharistic Procession is under the patronage of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was canonized in 1946 and was named as the patron saint of immigrants in 1950.  

O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament have left us a memorial of your Passion, grant us, we pray, so to revere the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood that we may always experience in ourselves the fruits of your redemption. Who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.  

What so proudly we hailed. Today, 14 June is the national observance of Flag Day. It was on this date in 1777 that the various interpretations of a national flag were unified. The flag was to have thirteen stripes (six white, seven red) in representation of the thirteen colonies at that time. These colonies were also to be represented by a circle of thirteen white stars against a blue background. Stars and stripes were added to the flag with the addition of states after the revolution, but the current flag design of thirteen stripes was settled in the early nineteenth century. President Wilson proclaimed 14 June as Flag Day in 1916, and the Flag Day observance became law under President Truman in 1949.  

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.  

The National Juneteenth observance is this Friday 19 June. Juneteenth commemorates the day (19 June 1865) when news of the emancipation of enslaved individuals reached into the farthest parts of the former confederacy. Enslavement was finally ended in the United States on 6 December 1865 with the passage of the 13^th Amendment to the United States’ Constitution.  

We pray, O Lord, for change. Jesus, you revealed God through your wise words and loving deeds, and we encounter you still today in the faces of those whom society has pushed to the margins. Guide us, through the love you revealed, to establish the justice proclaimed, that all people might dwell in harmony and peace, united by that one love that binds us to each other, and to you. And most of all, Lord, change our routine worship and work into a genuine encounter with you and our better selves so that our lives will be changed for the good of all. Amen. 

-From the Archdiocese of Baltimore  

Readings and Reflection questions for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle “A” – 14 June 2026 

Exodus 19:2-6a – What are “those days? To whom do you turn when you are having “one of those days?” / Do you enjoy camping? Why or why not? / Where are the places where you have “pitched camp”? / Describe the times that God bore you up on eagle wings.  / Do you consider yourself to be a member of God’s holy nation? What is required for membership? 

Responsorial Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5 – R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock. – How has the goodness, kindness, and faithfulness of God endured in all the generations of your family? What things are you doing to keep these, and the other fruits of the Holy Spirit vibrant?  

Romans 5:6-11 – How do you prove your love of God? / What is justification? What does it mean for our relationship with God? / What are the spiritual things of which you boast? 

Matthew 9:36—10:8 – What are the sights that move you with pity? / Describe the ways in which you labored for the Kingdom. / What authority has God given to you? How effectively are you using this authority? / Who are the lost sheep of your family? Of our parish community? What proclamation do they need to hear? / What are the things that you give without cost? 

Father is the Parochial Administrator of St. Martin de Porres parish in North Philadelphia. Father also serves as the Chaplain at Temple University as well as at Roman Catholic High School. In his talk, Father mentioned his great devotion to St. Therese the Little Flower. Father quoted her: “I will spend my heaven in doing good on the earth.”  Father expressed that St. Therese, who is the Patron Saint of Missionary activity, wished to be a missionary in Africa. 

Thank you for your generosity to the collection for the Pontifical Mission Societies. The blue and white envelopes will be at the entrances at both of our churches throughout the month of June. These envelopes are earmarked for this collection. Please feel free to place these envelopes in the collection basket during Mass. The collection benefits missionaries who are proclaiming the Gospel and supporting the building of the Church. These missionaries provide food, education, and medical care. Thank you again.  

The Novena to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus began on 3 June and will conclude this week. The prayers for this week encourage us… 

to be one with the Father, and each other, united in a bond of love (7 June) 

to make reparations and amend for the wrongs we have committed (8 June) 

to be mindful of the Church’s pilgrimage through history and to be appreciative of the sacrifices that have been made (9 June) 

to be transformed by the humble Heart of Jesus to become more suited for the works of mercy and virtuous living (10 June) 

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ – Readings and Reflection questions – Cycle A / 7 June 2026 

Deuteronomy 8:2-3 – Is it your intention to keep God’s Commandments? / What is meant with the line: “He let you be afflicted with hunger”? What is the purpose of afflictions? How are afflictions healed? In what way does the Most Blessed Sacrament heal afflictions?  / Describe the places and events that God has guided you through? Have you ever forgotten the Lord, your God? How can you assist people who have? / Have you ever eaten anything without knowing what it was? What is the most unusual food you have eaten? What food would you like to try? 

Responsorial Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 – R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. – How strong are the bars of your gates? What is needed to keep your faith secure? / Is there peace within your borders? What do you need from the Holy Spirit to bring tranquility to your life? 

1^st Corinthians 10:16-17 – What is your favorite type of bread? Sourdough? Ciabatta, Focaccia? Baguette? Why? With whom do you frequently break bread?  / In what area of parish life would you like to participate more fully? 

John 6:51-58 – When and where did you receive your First Communion? / What is your favorite Eucharistic hymn? Why? / Every Tuesday, our parish offers Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The day closes with Benediction at half-past six. Why is Eucharistic Adoration essential to a person’s individual faith and spirituality? Why is Adoration essential for the life of the parish community?  / Compare and contrast manna with this living bread that came down from heaven. 

Heart of Jesus… 

… aflame with love for us / a mission of compassion for the world 

… source of justice and love / may I become your love and radiate your mercy 

… worthy of all praise / make my heart, beat with your heart 

… patient and full of mercy / the treasury of God’s mercy is inexhaustible 

… fountain of life and holiness / your sentiments of compassion shall be forever 

… atonement for our sins / I consecrate myself to you without reserve 

… source of all consolation  

/ strengthen my faith, increase my love, give vigor to my confidence 

… gentle and humble of heart / make my heart like yours 

The ninth day is dedicated to the consecration with the following prayer.  

O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: 

You know the longings of our hearts, and you desire that we enjoy friendship with you. 

From your pierced side, you have poured out the wellspring of life, for which we thirst. 

Your heart burns with a love for all people to return to a right relationship with you. 

We celebrate the abundant gifts you have given this nation, founded on the self-evident truths that our Creator has endowed all people with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 

We make reparation for the offenses against you and against human dignity that have taken place in this nation. May our hearts be united to yours, so that our families and communities enjoy peace and happiness; may broken relationships be reconciled, injustices repaired, and the wounds of our land be healed. 

May your holy Catholic Church serve as a sign, pointing all people to your infinite love. 

O Desire of Nations and Center of History, we ask you to bless these United States of America.  

Who live and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.  

More information about the consecration including references to the papal documents, prayerful reflections from the Communion of Saints, daily prayers, and action plans can be found at the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops – Novena to the Sacred Heart. Novena to the Sacred Heart | USCCB 

The Most Holy Trinity – Readings and reflection questions – Cycle A / 31 May 2026 

Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9 – What do you enjoy about the early mornings? Does that answer depend upon the day of the week? What is your favorite time of day? Why? / What other Biblical events involved the presence of a cloud? What was the purpose of those events? / Do you find the Lord to be merciful, gracious, slow to anger, rich in kindness and fidelity? Do you find yourself to have these qualities? / Who is in your company? Is there room for more? 

Responsorial: Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 – R. Glory and praise for ever! – What does it mean to be praiseworthy? What are some of your praiseworthy actions? / Who are the Cherubim? What role do they perform? / What insights does this Responsorial Psalm add to your ideas about the Trinity? About heaven?  

2^nd Corinthians 13:11-13 – What ways of your life need mending?  / What relationships in your life are peaceful? Where is a holy kiss required? / The close of this reading from 2 Corinthians 13:13 represents the final written exchange between St. Paul and the people of Corinth. Why do we begin Mass with this passage? Have you ever considered sharing those words outside of a church setting? 

John 3:16-18 – Do you trust that God continues to love the world? Why or why not? What does the expression of God’s love look like in the 21^st century? Is this expression changed or unchanged through the ages? / What does it mean to believe in the name of the only Son of God? Do you believe?  

 
Walt Whitman was born on 31 May 1819 in Brooklyn. Whitman, during the American Civil War, volunteered his services to assist those wounded by war. His poem “The Wound Dresser” recalls his loving service offered to the soldiers.  

“Returning, resuming, I thread my way through the hospitals, the hurt and wounded I pacify with soothing hand, I sit by the restless all the dark night, some are so young, some suffer so much, I recall the experience sweet and sad. Many a soldier’s loving arms about this neck have crossed and rested, many a soldier’s kiss dwells on these bearded lips.” 

This poem, along with “Beat! Beat! Drums!”, “Dirge for Two Veterans”, “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d”, and “O Captain, My Captain!” are but a few of Walt’s responses to the devastation of war and those affected by it. Walt is such an apt companion on our Memorial Day journeys. Stop by the Walt Whitman, Molly Pitcher, Clara Barton, or Joyce Kilmer service plazas on the New Jersey Turnpike for more inspiration. 

Notice the movement evident in Walt’s recollections. He returns, resumes, threads his way through corridors and hospitals; the soldiers are restless; his hand soothes. Much of Whitman’s work involves movement. The destination may not be clear, certain, or definitive but there is a movement in search of an indescribable something. 

The Holy Spirit is the mover and shaker drawing us into a deeper communion with The Holy Trinity. It is the Holy Spirit who comes as a great driving wind, and as tongues of fire. Yet, it is also the Holy Spirit who descends as gently and tenderly as a dove seeking to perch upon the areas of life whose movements are indescribable.  

Stephen Langton, a thirteenth century Catholic Archbishop of Canterbury, attempts to describe what is indescribable in his poem to the Holy Spirit: “Veni Sancte Spiritus” – “Come, Holy Spirit.” “Heal our wounds, our strength renew; on our dryness pour your dew. Wash the stains of guilt away. Melt the frozen, warm the chill; guide the steps that go astray.” Langton originally planned this piece to be an accusation against an absent Spirit. Yet as he wrote he realized the absence was not on the Spirit’s part but on ours, who failed to accept the Holy Spirit’s invitation to enter that which is indescribable.  

Fast forward to the nineteenth century and we find Walt Whitman, in his poem “A Noiseless Patient Spider” searching for the indescribable. “A noiseless patient spider… it launch’d forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself, ever unreeling them, ever tirelessly speeding them.” You can almost see the images of the early Church with the Holy Spirit unreeling filaments of fire, energy, strength, confidence, and hope upon the followers of Jesus. Finally, Walt compares the work of the spider to the promptings of the Holy Spirit upon his own being.  “And you O my soul where you stand, surrounded, detached, in measureless oceans of space, ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing, seeking the spheres to connect them, till the bridge you will need be form’d, till the ductile anchor hold, till the gossamer thread you fling catch somewhere, O my soul.” 

Blessings to all as this Memorial Day weekend. May you acknowledge the goodness of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Trinity dwelling within you. Allow the Spirit’s thread to catch somewhere, moving you along the bridge the Holy Trinity forms within you, leading you to the wounds you are invited to dress.  

Pentecost – Readings and Reflections – Cycle A / 24 May 2026 

Acts 2:1-11 – What are the events that you anticipated with uncertainty? Did those events live up to your expectations? How were you surprised by them? Pleasantly surprised? Unpleasantly? / What aromas fill your house? Fill your soul? / Why is the Holy Spirit associated with images of energy? / What languages do you speak? Which would you like to speak? 

Responsorial Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 3 – R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. – With what creatures of the earth would you like to be more familiar? / The Psalmists’ theme is “to be pleasing to the Lord”. What is your theme? / In what ways does the face of the earth need to be renewed? How can you help in that renewal? In what ways do you need to be renewed?  

1^st Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 – What are your spiritual gifts? Your forms of service? “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” For what benefit has the manifestation of the Spirit been given to you? 

John 20:19-23 – This Gospel reading is also the reading for the Octave of Easter. Why is it repeated here for Pentecost? Which gospel reading do you like to hear frequently? Why?  / Is the peace of Christ within you? In what areas of your life is peace absent? / Why does Jesus breathe on the disciples? (See Genesis 2:7, and Psalm 104:29). / What sins have you forgiven? What sins have you retained? Are these the sins of others or your own? 

Remember that the Knights host a Rosary recitation on the 5^th Sunday of a month at 10:45 am at Our Lady of Peace Church. The next recitation will be on Sunday 31 May.  

Liturgical Friends was the name of our Chapel aides at Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls. The Liturgical Friends would plan liturgies, decorate, prepare the school for various liturgical seasons, lector, usher, altar serve, clean the chapel, and help in the training of new members of the group. Liturgical Friends gave its participants the confidence to engage in various ministries at their own parish communities.  

Calling all friends: Here at Peace, we are exploring the possibilities of expanding ministry opportunities. You may have noticed the announcements seeking assistance with our church decorating, ushering and hospitality ministries. This, along with the re-introduction of a youth ministry, offers our parishioners, regardless of age, the chance to showcase their talents and to give back to the Lord in thanksgiving for all the blessings that the Lord has shared with them.  

In the future, we hope to offer Masses that feature the participation of parish organizations. Members of various groups will greet, usher, serve, lector, bear the gifts, and assist in the quality of the liturgical experience. With this experience and confidence our parishioners can organize and take part in future para-liturgical programs offered throughout the course of the year.  

Décor for the Lord: we have a rich legacy of offering stunningly beautiful worship environments at Our Lady Peace and Notre Dame de Lourdes. Many just stagger in awe upon entering our churches. We have such skilled decorators who arrange, often with a narrow timeline, to ensure that our ability to worship and pray is strengthened by the environment of the sanctuary. Seasonal decoration and displays were an integral part of Liturgical Friends. We envision doing the same thing here. Our goal is to establish two teams, one for each Church, who would care for the seasonal displays and ensure that our thirsty plants, flowers, and greens are getting the nutrients they need to thrive.  

Yes, you have been anointed: and our responsibility is to keep the energy going after Confirmation. Sadly, but accurately, Pope Francis referred to the Sacrament of Confirmation as the Last Rites of the Church. Oftentimes a confirmed individual fails to attend Mass with regularity, nor understands for what purpose they have been anointed. Rather than pronouncing a conclusion to an active faith life, to confirm something means that two parties are on the same page, or have the same understanding, for some future event.   

Here at Our Lady of Peace and Notre Dame de Lourdes we are envisioning that future event. Your generous participation in our liturgies ensures that those future events will be vibrant and meaningful to our individual and collective spirituality and faith formation.  

Seventh Sunday of Easter – Cycle A / 17 May 2026 

Acts 1:12-14 – How long is a Sabbath Day’s journey? / Why, after the Ascension, did the Apostles return to the Upper Room? Where are the places that you would return if you needed to reset yourself spiritually? / How frequently do you pray in a day? In a week? 

Responsorial Psalm 27:4,7-8 – R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. – What are the good things of the Lord that you believe you will see? / What is the sound of your prayer? How do you know that the Lord hears your prayer? Do you hear the answers? 

1^st Peter 4:13-16 – What does it mean to suffer as a Christian? Why does this lead to exultant rejoicing? 

John 17:1-11a – What is glory? How did Jesus glorify the Father? How do you glorify the Holy Trinity? / What is the work that God gave you to do? How well are you accomplishing it? / The disciples were present when Jesus offered this prayer to the Father. How did it influence them? (See today’s First Reading from Acts). How does this prayer influence you? 

Loving God, as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children, 
so you give life and care for your Church. 
Bless these women, as we celebrate this day in their honor. 
May they be strengthened as Christian mothers. 
Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. 
Grant that we, their sons and daughters,  

may honor and appreciate them with a spirit of profound respect. 
May the example of Mary, mother of Jesus, inspire them to live their vocation as Christian mothers and call their children to faith. Guide and protect them in challenging times  

and help them to continue to trust in you all the days of their life. 
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Blessings to our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV who on Friday 8 May celebrated the first anniversary of his election to the pontificate.  

O God, shepherd and ruler of all the faithful, 
look favorably on your servant Leo, 
whom you have set at the head of your Church as her shepherd; 
grant, we pray, that by word and example 
he may be of service to those over whom he presides 
so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care, 
he may come to everlasting life. Amen. 

Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate was celebrated this weekend at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Pater and Paul. Ordinations to the Priesthood will be celebrated at the Cathedral on Saturday 16 May. We are blessed with the ministry of our Deacons here at OLP and we offer congratulations and blessings to all who have been ordained and we welcome them to this most Sacred Ministry of service to God and to his Church.  

For information about the Permanent Diaconate please contact: Deacon Kevin Harrington, Administrator of Permanent Deacons / Main Office: 215-587-4532 Email: kharrington@archphila.org / Permanent Diaconate – Archdiocese of Philadelphia 

For information about the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia please contact Father Sean English: 

Vocations Office: 610-667-5778 / Fr. Sean English, Vocation Director VocationDirector@archphila.org / heedthecall.org 

The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, a Holy Day of Obligation, will be celebrated on Thursday 14 May. Masses will be at 8:30am at Our Lady of Peace Church and at 9:00am at Notre Dame de Lourdes (with our Notre Dame de Lourdes school students) and at 6:30pm at Notre Dame de Lourdes.  

Mass readings and reflection questions for The Ascension of the Lord – Cycle A / 14 May 2026 

Acts 1:1-11 – What is the significance of the Ascension? / Why did St. Luke write The Acts of the Apostles as a sequel to his Gospel? / The disciples stayed together for ten days between the Ascension and Pentecost. Imagine their conversations as they awaited the “promise of the Father.” 

Responsorial Psalm 47:2-3 – R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. – Compare this Psalm with the celebratory atmosphere at the election of a pope (like we witnessed last year with the election of Pope Leo 14). 

Ephesians 1:17-23 – How has your heart been enlightened this Easter season? / How does St. Paul demonstrate that through the Ascension, Jesus is more present to the Church? What does the Ascension require of us? 

Matthew 28:16-20 – What are the doubts that the disciples faced immediately before the Ascension of Jesus? / Who are the modern members of the Church that you are called to teach and to observe all that Jesus has commanded? / In what area of your spirituality are you challenged by the commissioning of the disciples? How does it comfort you?  

Readings and reflection questions for the Sixth Sunday of Easter – Cycle A / 10 May 2026 

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 – What is the distinction between Baptism and Confirmation? / When were you Confirmed? Who Confirmed you? What is your Confirmation name? Why did you choose that name? 

Responsorial Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20 – R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. – Have you ever felt that God has refused your prayers? What were your options? 

1^st Peter 3:15-18 – What is the reason for your hope? / What does it mean to keep your conscience clear? 

John 14:15-21 – What does it mean to be an Advocate? Who advocates for you? How is the Holy Spirit an advocate? / What is the relationship between love, keeping the Commandments, and deepening your appreciation and understanding of Jesus? 

Our celebration of First Holy Communion brings our annual PREP classes to a close. We had over 125 students in our PREP program this year. Twenty-two PREP students received the Sacrament of Confirmation in February, and thirteen PREP students received First Holy Communion yesterday. Thank you to Mrs. Beinlich, and to our PREP catechists and aides who give of their time so generously to educate our young parishioners and to assist them in their faith formation as disciples of Christ.  

PREP is conducted 4:30 – 5:45pm on Tuesdays from September through April at Notre Dame de Lourdes School. Additional information about the PREP program as well as registration for the 2026/2027 academic year can be found on our website. Being a PREP catechist is a wonderful opportunity to evangelize and to share your love of our faith with our students. Those interested in being a catechist for PREP should contact the Rectory. Thanks for your consideration. 

May is the month of Our Lady. Our parish May procession and Crowning of the Blessed Mother will be celebrated with our school students on Wednesday, 13 May at 1:30pm at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church and Grotto. With nearly three miles of Interstate 476 forming the western border of our parish we are reminded that our parish and school have our own distinct Blue Route. For it is the Blessed Mother who leads us to her Son and encourages us to be drawn to The Most Sacred Heart of our Savior. So, this month of May is an opportune time to celebrate the great treasury of prayers that remind us of the special relationship with have with Mary who draws us into an eternal relationship with her Son.  

Salve Regina (Hail, Holy Queen) 

Hail, holy Queen, mother of Mercy. Hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, 
poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, 
mourning and weeping, in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate,  

thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile, show unto us  

the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.  

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. 

Readings and Reflection questions for the Fifth Sunday of Easter – Cycle A / 3 May 2026 

Acts 6:1-7 – Who is the Church currently neglecting? Why? What can be done to assist them in their needs? / This reading presents the beginning of the Diaconate. What is the role of the deacon in the Church? Why is it necessary to first be ordained as a deacon before entering the priesthood?  / Because of the ministry of the deacons, why were Jewish priests attracted to Christianity? 

Responsorial Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-1 – R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. – Do you play any musical instruments? What do you play? What would you like to play? / How is the final verse of this psalm connected to the First Reading? 

1^st Peter 2:4-9 – What is a living stone? / At your baptism you were enrolled in the three-fold ministry of Christ as a priest (live a holy life), a prophet (share the Good News), and a king (be a servant leader). How well are you fulfilling those roles? 

John 14:1-12 – Is faith in God different than faith in Jesus? / How do you imagine heaven, knowing that Jesus is preparing a place for you? / Having known the Son, what do you know of the Father? / What does Jesus mean by saying that we will be able to do greater works than his? How is this possible? 

“O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament have left us a memorial of your Passion, grant us, we pray, so to revere the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood that we may always experience in ourselves the fruits of your redemption.” (Roman Missal p. 353)  

As we celebrate with them it affords us the opportunity to reflect upon our own reception of First Holy Communion. In what parish did you receive First Communion? What time of year was it? What were you wearing? With whom did you celebrate the occasion? Were you kneeling or standing when you received First Communion? Did you receive on your tongue or on your hands? Have you ever received Communion on your tongue? Have you ever received Communion on your hands? Have you ever knelt to receive Communion?  

An Act of Spiritual Communion: My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.  

We also pray, on this Good Shepherd Sunday, for an awareness of vocations. 

“Lord, you call us all by name to follow your path. You always bless your Church and guide your followers to become leaders who think of others before themselves. Mold us in the image of your Son, to respond to your call as Sisters, Priests, Brothers, Deacons, and Lay servants of the Gospel. Embolden us all to grow in knowing you, and allow this knowledge to open hearts, minds, and souls to your enduring call. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.” 

Friday 1 May is the Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker. The following is from paragraph six of Pope Francis’ 2020 Apostolic Letter, With a Father’s Heart, celebrating the 150^th anniversary of St. Joseph’s dedication as Patron of the Universal Church. 

“An aspect of Saint Joseph that has been emphasized from the time of the first social Encyclical, Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum, is his relation to work. Saint Joseph was a carpenter who earned an honest living to provide for his family. From him, Jesus learned the value, the dignity and the joy of what it means to eat bread that is the fruit of one’s own labor. 

In our own day, there is a renewed need to appreciate the importance of dignified work, of which Saint Joseph is an exemplary patron. Work is a means of participating in the work of salvation, an opportunity to hasten the coming of the Kingdom, to develop our talents and abilities, and to put them at the service of society and fraternal communion. It becomes an opportunity for the fulfilment not only of oneself, but also of that primary cell of society which is the family.  

Working persons, whatever their job may be, are cooperating with God himself, and in some way become creators of the world around us. The crisis of our time, which is economic, social, cultural and spiritual, can serve as a summons for all of us to rediscover the value, the importance and necessity of work for bringing about a new “normal” from which no one is excluded.” 

Fourth Sunday of Easter – Cycle A / 26 April 2026 

Acts 2:14a, 36-41 – When and where were you baptized?  / What gifts of the Holy Spirit do you treasure most? What gifts have you yet to unwrap? 

Responsorial Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, – R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. – How is the Lord your shepherd? / How frequently do you allow your soul to be refreshed? Who or what refreshes your soul? / What virtues follow you all the days of your life? 

1^st Peter 2:20b-25 – Are you following in the footsteps of Christ? / Where in your life do you still need spiritual healing? How can the wounds of Christ assist you with that healing? 

John 10:1-10 – What is the difference between the gatekeeper and the shepherd? Who is the gatekeeper? / How well do you recognize the voice of the shepherd? / Compare and contrast this Gospel with the Psalm.