Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. If you find yourself struggling to define exactly what that means, you are in good company. Brilliant minds throughout the centuries have attempted to weigh in on our faith's greatest and deepest mystery. Saints remind us that only through faith can we understand the Most Holy Trinity.

St. Teresa of Jesus (St Teresa of Avila) said: "In the Three Persons there is but one will and one power and one might; neither can One be without Another: so that of all created things there is but one sole Creator." She also said: "Is it possible to love the Father without loving the Son and the Holy Ghost? No; for he who shall please One of the Three pleases the Three Persons; and he who shall offend One offends All."

St Augustine wrote this about the Most Holy Trinity. "When we speak of the Trinity, we must do so with caution and modesty... nowhere else are more dangerous errors made, or is research more difficult, or discovery more fruitful." St. Patrick's "teaching" about the Most Holy Trinity is expressed primarily through his well-known prayer known as the St. Patrick's Breastplate. In the Breastplate he calls on the Trinity as the Christian "invocation" that strengthens him: "I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity."

Today, we worship God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who is One God in Three Persons. The Holy Trinity is invoked at the beginning and end of all our prayers. The words, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" are prayed over you at your baptism as water is poured over your head. You are, from that moment and for all eternity, part of the life of the Most Holy Trinity. In your baptism you are made participants in God's Divine life. By your baptism, you become a child of Our Father, brother/sister in Christ, and a temple of the Holy Spirit. All Christian life begins in Baptism. In that unique and unrepeatable moment, you receive the vocation to holiness. Baptism enables you to belong to God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forever.

What is your first response to your baptism? It is appropriate to begin with deep and profound gratitude for the merciful and benevolent plan of God, Who has called you to participate in His life of love. Adore and praise Him today and always. "Blessed be God the Father, and His only Son, and the Holy Spirit, for He has had mercy on us." You may even want to celebrate your baptismal anniversary... remembering with humility God and all those who have called you to this life of grace and holiness and changed your soul forever.

Next weekend is the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, a day to worship Jesus in the Eucharist in a unique way. IF IT IS NOT TOO HOT, it is the hope that we will have a Eucharistic procession on Sunday, June 7th after the 10am Mass. The procession will be around the parking lot and end in front of the church main doors with benediction. I invite you all to participate if you are able. This is a great time to pray for the intentions of our diocese and parish and for an increase to the priesthood, diaconate, and holy marriages.

Lastly, I invite all of us to join in prayer and gratitude for the gift of the priesthood. On Saturday, June 6th, our bishop will ordain four new priests for our diocese. Also, there was the ordination of Br. Lawrence to the transitional diaconate that took place on May 16th. He will be ordained a priest next year God willing. June 12th is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and it is also set aside as World Priest Day (a day to pray for priests). This is a cause for great joy and hope, as it signifies that our diocese and vocations are flourishing. We are indeed on the right path. Let us thank God for these new priests and deacons who embark on a beautiful journey of love for Jesus and His Church.

God Bless.

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