THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD AS THE EASTER SEASON COUNTDOWNS TO THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT...........

On this Easter Day, start of the seventh week of the Paschal Season, Catholic-Christians celebrate the continuing fulfillment of the Divine Plan for the Redemption and Reconciliation of Humankind, the Ascension of the Lord Jesus back into the Heavenly Kingdom.  It was from the right hand of God the Father in the Eternal Kingdom, that Jesus was born into the World, of Mary Immaculate, by the power of the God's Spirit, and following His Resurrection from the Dead, the Ascension marks the Risen Christ's return to whence He came.  The Co-Eternal Son of the Heavenly Father, reigns as the Redeemer, Ruker, and Spirit-Sending, Shepherd of Souls, until retirning in Glory at, "the end of the age", to be the Judge of all peoples and inaiugurate God's Kingdom of ;Love and Eternal Life.  The Easter-Ascension Sacred Scriptures, from the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles, 1:1-11; to Ephesians 1:17-23; and the conclusion of Matthew's Gospel 28:16-20; as well as Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7; 8-9; chronicle and proclaim our faith belief that the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ, is an integral component of God's salvific Plan and the essential Paschal Mystery of true Savior.  this first Sunday of June 2011, has additional significance for me, and the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Sacramento / Del Paso Heights / Rio Linda / Elverta / Robla.  This is the annual Parish Festival Day.  Yet given the unseasonal downpouring of rain during the week and until throughout the afternoon Saturday.  The Festival chairpersons requested that we postpone the Festival until next Sunday, given our inability to move the entirety of the activities indoors; and the soaked reality of the parish grounds.  Pulling this off successfully, is a dicey proposition after months of preparation and promotion, but we are doing our best to make this year's Parish Festival as enjoyable, productive, and financially successful, as these supplement funds are indispensable to our overall parish income and budget.  Without a solid net profit from the Festival, we will be in a substantial deficit, given the permanent economic challenges in this parish community.  Word of the postponement went out via the parish ministries phone tree, an updated flyer, an announcement to spread the word at Saturday's 5 pm Mass, and a brief on camera, sharing of the change with Sacramento television channel, CBS 13 News, who came to the church, just before the Vigil Mass yesterday and asked me to tell their viewing audience about why we are postponing the Festival, from today, until next Sunday.  As previously scheduled, we will proceed wit one 9:30 am Mass this morning, instead of the usual 8:30 am and 10:30 am Masses; and the Pancake Breakfast scheduled by the Knights of Columbus in the Parish Hall will occur as was planned, otherwise the fullness of the Festival will take place next week on Pentecost Sunday, at which the first annual State of the Parish Address, will be delivered at all three Sunday Masses.  Meanwhile, we pray that this change, will not hinder the fun and the fundraising, that is the primary purpose of OLOL's Parish Festival.  Let the word go forth :  ur Lady of Lourdes Parish Festival goes forth next Sunday June 12th, and needs the support of all our parishioners, neighbors, friends, and fellow believers believers.  In Indianapolis, Indiana today, in their St. Peter & Paul Cathedral, my beloved seminary classmate and brother poriest, Reverend Father Daniel Barrett Donohoo, is celebrating his Silver Jubilee, the 25th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ.  I planned to be there with him today, as I was at his Ordination and First Mass, a quarter of a century ago; until the now postponed, Parish Festival, and my emerging prostheses therapy intersected with Fr. Dan's celebration.  Like myself, Dan, has experienced serious health conditions for more than a decade.  Yet despite the multiple diseases and pain he has endured, Father Donohoo has fervently and faithfully carried out his priestly ministry.  Presently, he is serving as Rector of the Indianapolis Cathedral, and as Spiritual Director to college seminarians.  Next month, he will take up being Spiritual Director of the Archdiocesan Permanent Diaconate ministry.  A very good man, a deeply intelligent and capable priest and pastor, a committed disciple, colleague, servant-leader, and friend.  Over the past twenty seven years he has been a rock solid friend to me, and especially supportive to me telephonically and prayerfully during the past nine years.  How much I wanted to be there with and for Dan today - and I assure him I am, in spirit and brotherly solidarity, across the nearly two thousand miles between us, and as my secondary, personal intention at my Sunday Mass this morning.  Congratulations, Kudos, and Ad Multos Annos Father Dan.  Your Friendship, Fraternity, and Brotherly Love, As A Faithful Priest of Jesus Christ, I Acknowledge, Affirm, And Appreciate, As You Celebrate This Well Ordered Milestone In Your Patoral Ministry.........................All My Love And Prayers In The Risem, Ascended, Spirit-Sending, Jesus -  Fraternally Your Brother In Christ,   Troy