Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We enjoyed having our summer seminarian, Pete O’Steen, with us. Please keep Pete and all of our seminarians in your prayers. Below my column, you will find a note to you from Pete.

Next Monday, August 2, I leave to begin the 30-day Ignatian retreat. It’s pretty intense. Our daily routine will consist of: Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, five prayer periods of at least one hour each, and a meeting with the retreat director for about thirty minutes. I might need a retreat after the retreat! Our retreat director is now not able to come to S.C., so, the four of us are going to him at a retreat center not too far from Tampa, Florida. I return the weekend of September 4/5.

Blessed Gabriele Allegra: “Fathers and mothers of families have in St. Joseph and St. Anne models of love and service to the Queen of Heaven.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This weekend, Pete O’Steen, our summer seminarian, finishes his time with us. It’s been a real pleasure to have Pete here at St. Mary’s. Please continue to pray for Pete as he enters his second year of major theology. Please also pray for all our seminarians and for more holy vocations to the priesthood.

Blessed William Joseph Chaminade: “The Eternal Father shares with St. Joseph the authority which he has over the Incarnate Word, just as God shared with Adam his authority over creatures.”

To think about: We all have authority over something. It might be over our children or workers in our job, or it might be “just” things such as your house or car. All these people and things have been given to each of us from the Lord to care for in His name; we are stewards. Do we care for those people under us and the things we own as God (who has the true authority) would want us to?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We give a very warm “welcome back!” to Fr. Francisco, who has returned from his well-deserved vacation. Time away with faith, family, and friends is very important for everyone, priests included. As Fr. Francisco arrives home, our friend Msgr. Willie will be taking a few days away back in New York. We pray for safe travels for both!

This week, July 12-16, I will be away for a priests’ conference in West Virginia, sponsored by the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. Participants will enjoy presentations from biblical greats such as Dr. Scott Hahn, Dr. John Bergsma, and Dr. Ralph Martin.

Pope Blessed Paul VI: “St. Joseph is the model of those humble ones that Christianity raises up to great destinies.”

To think about: We all know people who seem unimportant to the world, but they made a big difference in our lives. Think about some of these people and how they helped you. All the people we meet every day – as well as everyone in our family, and ourselves – have great destinies. God has given each of us a mission. Think about the great things the “regular” people in your life have done, and remember those people in your prayers.

Pope St. John Paul II: At the workbench where he plied his trade, together with Jesus, Joseph brought human work closer to the mystery of redemption.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Since Independence Day falls on Sunday this year, daily Mass for Monday, July 5, will be at its normal time of 5:30pm, preceded by confessions at 4:45pm.

Father Francisco continues his well-deserved vacation, visiting family and friends in Mexico. Please continue to pray that he has a relaxing time away. Father returns July 12.