As you may know, I will be away from Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish from June 20th through August 28th. I ask your prayers for me–especially from June 24-July 31 when I will be making the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius at Creighton University.

After driving back to Philadelphia by way of New England, I will be in Lourdes, France. I will be in Lourdes from August 10th until August 27th. During that time, I will be celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist for the English speaking Pilgrims. This time will give me an opportunity to pray for you and your intentions. In the Church building, in front of the statue of the Blessed Mother, there are cards which I will take to Lourdes to offer to God, through the intercession of Mary, your thanks and your requests. Even if you are unable to acquire one of these cards and return it by August 3rd, be assured of my prayers for you.

As I look forward to this special time, I also look forward to returning to Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish to share my grace-filled moments and experiences as I more fully embrace the Ignatian concept that all is a gift.

I am extremely grateful to all those who enabled me to make what I am calling "a pilgrimage of faith," especially Monsignor James Mortimer who will be celebrating most of the Sacraments while I am gone. Msgr. Mortimer has ministered at Lourdes several times so I feel especially blessed that he will be able to be with you here at Notre Dame while I am away.

Happening this week....

Monday, June 30
8:00  Bill Smith

Tuesday, July 1
8:00  Parishioners of Notre Dame

Wednesday, July 2
8:00 Mary Ann LaFaso

Thursday, July 3
7:00 p.m.  Anthony Federico
** St. Thomas**

Friday, July 4
8:00 Agnes and George Lebold
** Independence Day**

Saturday, July 5
5:15 Sean Patrick Conroy

Sunday, July 6
8:00 Jerrold W. Schwarz and
        Mary E. McCullough
10:00 Samuel Sgro
12:00 William Smith