Dear Parishioners and Visitors,
October is Rosary month. Lately, there has been much discussion in the public forum about First Amendment rights. A few years ago, Raymond Hosier, a thirteen-year-old high-school student in Oneida, NY, was suspended for wearing a rosary to school, which he was wearing around his neck in remembrance of his younger brother who had died while clutching it after a bicycle accident. Raymond originally received a one-week suspension for refusing to take off his Rosary beads or hide them under his shirt.“They told me that if I didn’t tuck them inside my shirt then I would have to go home and I told them I wasn’t going to tuck them in,” he said. The late Pope Francis commented a few years ago that persecution against Christians is worse today, chiefly because they refuse to deny Christ. The Holy Father added, “We do well to pray to those who are persecuted and stand in solidarity with them, calling upon their courage, so that when we are called upon to witness to Christ in everyday life, we may be faithful for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.” By the way, a federal judge determined that Raymond’s religious liberties had been violated, and ordered his reinstatement to school – with his Rosary beads in place!
During October, Catholics are invited to pray the Rosary more frequently, reflecting on its mysteries, which center on the life of Christ as seen through the eyes of Mary. A special thanks goes out to one of our faithful parishioners who supplies free rosary beads and instructional booklets about praying the Rosary.
With prayerful best wishes,
Fr. John Mahoney