Saint Margaret RC Church

July 6 ~ Memorial of St. Maria Goretti (1890-1902), virgin and martyr, who preferred death to surrendering her virginity. She forgave her murderer as she lay dying in the hospital; he was brought to justice, underwent a radical conversion of heart while in prison, and attended Maria's canonization at St. Peter's in 1950, seated alongside her mother. "The life of this simple girl ... we can see as worthy of Heaven. Even today, people can look upon it with admiration and respec...t. Parents can learn from her story how to raise their God-given children in virtue, courage, and holiness; they can learn to train them in the Catholic Faith so that, when put to the test, the grace of God will support them and they will come through undefeaated, unscathed, and untarnished." ~ Canonization homily by Ven. Pope Pius XII St. Maria Goretti, pray for our children!

For your consideration, this week's note from the Pastor’s Desk: On Faith, Faithlessness, and Humility As we’ve done the last two weeks, we continue on the topic of faith in today’s readings. Last week, we saw the great effects that the faith of the suffering woman and the dying/dead girl’s father had in bringing about not only healing but also a restoration (i.e., a resurrection) of life. Today, we take a look at the other side of the coin: the lack of faith....Continue reading

Come and pray for our country this weekend: Saturday: ~ Holy Hour w/ Adoration & Benediction 9:30-10:30 am ~ Confessions 4:00-4:45, Vigil Mass at 5 pm Sunday Masses: 8; 10 (Italian & English); 12 & 5

June 29 ~ Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, pillars of the Church. Peter initially proclaimed the Gospel to Jews in and near Jerusalem, but "opened the gates" to the Gentiles, a mission that St. Paul took up. Both suffered for their faith in Christ and were martyred in Rome, probably during the reign of Emperor Nero around 67 AD, Peter by crucifixion upside-down as befit a slave, and Paul by beheading as befit a Roman citizen. The image is from a painting by the Greek-born Spanish artist El Greco (1541-1614) and shows St. Peter holding the keys to the Kingdom of God and the forgiveness of sins; St. Paul rests his hand on a book, presumably of his epistles, which form a great part of the New Testament. SS. Peter and Paul, pray for us!

For your consideration, this week's note from the Pastor’s Desk: On Faith, Part II In last week’s commentary on faith, I said that faith is not merely an assent of the mind to doctrines and dogmas but, more especially, is a matter of entrusting ourselves to God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, in Whom we have come to new life as members of His Body and children of God. This is the work of a lifetime....Continue reading

"Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow and constricted the road that leads to life! And those who find it are few." ~ Matthew 7: 13-14 June 21 ~ Memorial of SS. John Fisher (1469-1535) and Thomas More (1477-1535), respectively Bishop of Rochester and former Chancellor of England, who chose the narrow gate and road in defense of the Church rather than going along to get along. They lost their heads but won the Crown, Fisher on 6/22 and More on 7/6. SS. John Fisher and Thomas More, pray for us!