June is the traditional month of ordination of priests, transitional deacons (to become priests one year later) and permanent deacons (traditionally married men who will serve the church for many years). Most of the attention is normally given to the ordination of priests. On the first Saturday of this month, June 20 ^th, at OLHOC, we had a Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood and special prayers for the 8 young transitional deacons to be ordained priests for the Archdiocese of Washington. 
 
Today, we want to give thanks to God for the Gift of Permanent Deacons. In the last 10 years, we have been blessed at OLHOC with the service of two wonderful deacons. Deacon Rich was ordained 10 years ago on June 26th, 2010 and Deacon Bill was ordained 5 years ago on June 28 ^th, 2015. All of you know them well as they are active participants at the Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses (proclaiming the Gospel at every Mass, preaching about once a month, assisting the priest at the altar and guiding the altar servers). In different styles, both of them are excellent preachers; you will hear them this weekend. Some of you may not know about the many other roles they perform at our church. As deacons, they can preside at Baptisms and weddings (when celebrated outside of Mass). Deacon Rich has taken a lead role in RCIA, Baptism preparation, formation of the Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, assistance to the Homebound, and liturgy coordination. Deacon Bill has taken a lead role in Youth Ministry, Confirmation preparation, formation of altar servers and prison ministry. I am most grateful to both for their total commitment to our parish. 
 
We would also like to take this opportunity to invite you to pray for vocations to the permanent diaconate. Many men's discernment has been influenced by someone in their parish asking them: “Have you thought about becoming a permanent Deacon?” if you are reading this column and would like to know more about the permanent diaconate, do not hesitate to contact Deacon Rich, Deacon Bill or myself (before being ordained a priest, I started with the formation program to the Permanent Diaconate).
 
PRAYING FOR PEACE, JUSTICE AND UNITY
As mentioned in my homily last weekend on June 13/14 (at the 5 pm Vigil Mass, and at the 10 am Sunday Mass for our High School Graduate Class of 2020,  click here to watch), I invite everyone to PRAY FOR PEACE, JUSTICE and UNITY in our country. Start today by praying the rosary and continue to do so for a total of nine consecutive days (NOVENA).  If possible, pray the rosary daily at 6 pm with Fr. Ben and me (click here for the rosary). In my homily, I began by talking about the FEARS we have faced in the last three months: Fear of Death (Pandemic of Coronavirus), Fear of Poverty (loss of jobs) and most recently Fear of Increased Social Tensions (nationwide protests prompted by George Floyd's tragic death). This is a very complex situation. Many people are hurting. We all need God's Help to transform our fears into LOVE. We can find HOPE, TRUE LOVE AND UNITY ONLY IN CHRIST. 

In addition to PRAYER, we recommend beginning a conversation in small groups so that we can know one another better and share our views on how we can move from Fear to Christian Love. We had a good discussion at our last Parish Council Meeting. We acknowledged that we are blessed to have a very diverse parish where we have been able to celebrate different cultures, races, languages, and to find unity in Christ, especially in the Eucharist. However, we can do better. We believe that a dialogue in small groups will be helpful and thought that a good way to start will be with our youth. 

We all need a spiritual renewal to become committed disciples of Christ.  We need Jesus' help to take away any resentment, fear or hatred from our own hearts.  Change begins with oneself. To be a Christian is to love everyone as Jesus has loved us. Christian Love is to want good for the other. Since our Baptism, we have the full presence of the Holy Trinity within us and have all become children of God. We have the same Father in Heaven and are brothers and sisters. We believe that everyone has been created in the image of God.  Come Holy Spirit, give us new hearts of Love!

We also encourage you to read the 2-page letter on Racial Justice released on June 15th by the Nine Catholic Bishops of Maryland (click here to read). It begins by giving a long-term historic perspective of racial relationships in Maryland and the past role (positive but also at times negative) of the Catholic Church. It concludes by, " praying God to guide us during these difficult times and give us the courage to act with conviction in our duty to seek racial equality, heal divisions and build bridges of understanding and hope.” 

Your feedback on the above is much appreciated.

Finally, pray for our 50 young children receiving their First Holy Communion in the next few days, and for our 30 youth to be confirmed next Saturday, June 27th.

As we celebrate Fathers' Day this Sunday, may God bless all our parishioners who are fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers. May all our children and youth show respect and love to their fathers!

One in Christ,

Fr. Alain