OLOL FEAST DAY, MSGR. KAVANAGH'S BIRTHDAY, MERCY GENERAL HOSPITAL's ANNIVERSARY............

February 11th is the liturgical Feast Day, of Our Lady of Lourdes, commemorating the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, yo a young woman Bernadette in Lourdes, France in 1857, declaring herself to be the Immaculate Conception.  Over the more than a century and half since, the site of the Blessed Mother's appearance to St. Bernadette, has become one of the most traveled to Marian shrines of pilgrimage in the world.  The ill, infirm, diseased, disabled, and those beset with adverse health journey to Lourdes to bath in what they believe are healing waters.  It is the Parish Feast Day in Del Paso Heights / Rio Linda / Elverta / Robla / Sacramento / and I assure the parishioners of my prayers and spiritual presence with them today as they celebrate our patronal feast.  Following the 5 p.m. Mass, they will hold a Rosary Procession on the church grounds and a Potluck in the Parish Hall, to celebrate the Feast Day.  Also today, Msgr. Ed Kavanagh  is celebrating his 87th Birthday, doing what he has done for the past sixty four years, carrying out his priestly ministries in South Sacramento, at St. Rose's / St. Patrick's, on Franklin Boulevard.  Happy Biurthday to him !!!!!!!!!!!!  And as I am here today at Mercy General Hospital Rehab Continuing Care Center, today is also the Anniversary of the day Mercy General Hospital opened at 40th and J Streets in East Sacramento / Midtown, on February 11, 1925.  Happy Feast Day; Happy Birthday; Happy Anniversary; to OLOL Parish - Msgr. Kavanagh - and Mercy General Hospital - for the significant responsibilities they carry out and the continuing roles they continue to play in my life and ministry, as a Priest of Jesus Christ............Fr.  Troy