On Monday, May 31 at 9:00 a.m. a Memorial Day Remembrance Mass will be celebrated in church. All parishioners are welcome, with a special invitation to all active duty, reservists, veterans and their family members. We wish to remember all veterans who gave their lives in service to this country by listing them in the bulletin. To have the deceased veteran listed in the bulletin, please call the rectory by 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 25. Please give name, branch of service and war in which they made the supreme sacrifice.

Depriving the self of luxuries, things, food, etc., is a matter of personal decision. Doing this is practicing discipline. The result is opening to receive the Holy Spirit's gift of Wisdom. Spending time in prayer is this opening. Join us on Monday evenings for the rosary and adoration at 7:00 p.m. There will be no adoration on Memorial Day.

First Friday is June 4. Adoration from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Lady of Guadalupe appeared in Mexico as the pregnant mother of God to Saint Juan Diego, in December, 1531. She left a miraculous appearance on his cactus fiber cloak, or "tilma" which is displayed today for all to see in the Basilica of Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Our Lady appeared in answer to prayer by the local bishop to intervene and prevent an uprising between the Spanish and the natives, many of whom were Aztecs following false gods and offering human sacrifice. The bishop had asked for a sign that his prayers were to be answered by receiving roses from his homeland.

On December 9, 1531, Our Lady appeared to St. Juan Diego who was a recent convert and asked him to go to the bishop and request that a church for her be built on the barren hill Tepeyac (now part of Mexico City). Juan did so, yet the prudent bishop asked for a sign from Our Lady, and she in turn promised that sign.

On December 12, she again appeared to Juan and told him to pick the Castilian roses which miraculously appeared there and bring them to the Bishop as a sign for him to believe her request. Juan gathered the roses and brought them to the bishop. When he opened the tilma to show them, Our Lady appeared on it. The Bishop built the church and nine million natives were converted. Human sacrifice ended in Mexico forever.

The image is on a fiber that disintegrates within 20-60 years, yet the image shows no signs of such after 450 years. The image remains at 98.6 F degrees at all times and two heartbeats have been detected, the pregnant lady and the child's. The stars on her mantle coincide with the constellations in the nightsky on December 12, 1531. She stands in front of the sun, showing she was greater than the sun-god of war. She is Queen of Earth because she is wearing a contour map of Mexico telling the Indians exactly where the apparition took place.

Lady of Guadalupe, Patron of the Unborn, Patron of the Americas, Pray for Us!

1. Give something away (no strings attached).
2. Do a kindness (and forget it).
3. Spend a few minutes with the aged (their experience is a priceless guidance).
4. Look intently into the face of a baby (and marvel).
5. Laugh often (it is life's lubricant).
6. Give thanks ( a thousand times a day is not enough).
7. Pray (or you will lose the way).
8. Work (with vim and vigor).
9. Plan as though you will live forever (because you will).
10. Live as though you will die tomorrow (because you will die on some tomorrow).

Food for thought!

God Bless!

Father Jim

Dear Parents,

This year St. Pat's is looking for some kids who want to have some "tropical fun!!!" Our Vacation Bible School is heading out to Lava Lava Island!!!

Your preschooler through 4th Grade can join us for the fun while older children can participate as "guides" - we will need a lot of help so ask them to come on and join us!!! The island challenge will begin on June 21 and will go until June 25. It opens at 9:00 and closes at noon. We are all looking forward to seeing everyone there!!! The fee is only $20.00 for one child and $30.00 for two or more!!!! The kids who join us will be able to have snacks, make unbelievable crafts, receive a t-shirt, sing songs and learn all about Jesus!!!! Plus there will be a few more surprises along the way!!!!

To sign up your child or your older "guide" just fill in the form below and turn it in with your fee by Friday, June 11 (to the school office or the rectory) Registrations cannot be accepted after June 18 because we want to make sure we have enough time to purchase our supplies.

Yes, I would like to register the following child(ren) in VBS at St. Pat's from June 21st through the 25th.