THE 20TH DAY OF EASTER 2011 - IS THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA...........

On May 13, 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary, appeared in an apparition to three young shepherd children, in Fatima, Portugal. Six times over the next five months she appeared to them urging them to tell the World to pray for the Conversion of Russia and Peace;  according to the reports of the apparitions saw by the children, sanctioned by the Church, as valid.  Being of fifty percent Portuguese ancestry, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, like the annual Holy Ghost Festivals, are days of special celebration.  As a child I remember attending Our Lady of Fatima processions and Holy Ghost Festivals, at St. Elizabeth's Church, at 12th and S Streets in downtown Sacramento; and at the Portuguese Hall in the Pocket area of Sacramento, as in Clarksburg.  Just this week during the Priests Retreat, I told Bishop Soto and some of my brother priests, that I proudly say, on our Ordination Day, 150 % of the the three of us ordained as the Centennial Priests, were Portuguese : as Fr. Eduino Silveira, a native of the Azores, is 100% and I am, of 50% Portuguese ancestry.  I have learned this week also that Cannosian Sister Teresa Norris, is  of, 25 % Portuguese ancestry; thus 37.5% of the current pastoral leadership team of OLOL Parish, is of Portguese descent.  I will preside at today 8 am Parish Mass, commemorating Our Lady of Fatima, as we continue our Pasch as Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Sacramento / Del Paso Heights / Rio Linda / Elverta / Robla /...........Our Lady of Fatima Day / Easter Peace,   Fr.  Troy