Jesus is lifted up through the clouds forty days after rising from the dead. The disciples do not understand what is going on. They can no longer see Jesus, their beloved Master. WHERE HAS HE GONE? They will be able to gain some understanding when they receive the HOLY SPIRIT at PENTECOST. The Eleven followed Jesus every day for three years till HIS Passion and Death on the Cross. They found the empty Tomb and had no idea where the Body of Jesus had gone. They are amazed to see the Risen Lord. The Lord Jesus leaves them again This time it seems forever. Once again, they do not know where He has gone. We feel the same way today. Sometimes our hearts are filled with...

You may have heard the abbreviation WWJD: What Would Jesus Do? or WWJS: What Would Jesus Say? We use this question when we face a special challenge in our lives. We may have to make a tough decision on what to do, or what to say. We may choose to reflect in silence about the difficult situation at hand. We may imagine Jesus to be in our shoes and how he would act or speak. You may have never heard WAYJ. I just made it up. But I am certain I am not the first one. J is Jesus. What could be WAYJ? It is:...

As I announced in my column last week, here are ideas that emerged from a gathering last Sunday of 20 representatives of the Father Martin Society, pilgrims that had visited Father Martin's birthplace of Aire-sur-la-Lys at one or several pilgrimages in 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2023: SUNDAY AUGUST 6th, the exact date of the 100th anniversary of Father Martin's death, will be the signature event of our plan for multiple days of commemoration (e.g. from August 4 to August 8 and beyond) when we hope to host a delegation of the Archdiocese of Arras (Northern France) in Waldorf. CREATION of two spiritual pieces to honor Father Martin's memory, a play based on his life and a musical tribute: Sandy McGraw, long -time member of the Father Martin Society Board of Directors and member of St Peter's Parish, will take the lead in developing a script with the help of a team, including youth, to produce it. Interested volunteers are welcomed! Henri Grunenwald , a noted composer and organist at Saint-Andre Church in Paris, will compose an Offertory Meditation for Organ and Soprano. The "Father Martin" PLAY is expected to be...

Our latest pilgrimage "On the Footsteps of Father Martin" was AWESOME: FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT! This pilgrimage was decided at the last minute. The Board of the Father Martin Society recommended sending a small delegation to go to Northern France right after Easter Sunday. I was asked to lead that mission. We had only three weeks to organize the entire trip. We had one single objective: to help prepare the major celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Death of Father Martin on August 6, 2023. Just three months away! We needed to focus and take action: no longer talking...We needed the help of the HOLY SPIRIT!!! Time was of the essence! We had to renew bonds with our counterparts in Northern France (Arras Diocese) under a new leadership: a new Diocesan Bishop Olivier Leborgne and a new Dean/Pastor of "Aire-sur-la-Lys Region" Father Jacques Tangombe. Some background information for our many new parishioners:...