In spite of a not so good day weatherwise, St. Anne’s & St. Patrick’s celebrated Memorial Day beginning with Mass at the Pavilion with Fr. Chi Ai as celebrant and homilist. Moving down to the Parish Center, everyone enjoyed a delicious ‘cookin’ with the usual ‘cookout’ fare. Then the highlight of the festivities was a glorious rendition of Happy Birthday for Fr. Luc! All in all, it was a great day to observe the unofficial beginning of summer!
Fr. ChiAi’s Homily in Sturbridge – Monday, 27 May, 2024
A LAY ASSUMPTIONIST REFLECTS
Father Chi Ai started by talking about how we now live in a divided society with polarization everywhere. He then told us that we need to learn from the past or be doomed to failure.
Father reminded us that the reason we are gathered at Mass is to remember those who gave their lives for the common good. They leave us with a legacy of holiness and a fraternity of goodness.
The purpose of our celebration is to put the memorial back in Memorial Day.
We remember and act according to what we have learned and observed. The last General Chapter of the Assumptionists had a call to justice, peace and fraternity as our contribution to society. God’s peace is already established in ourselves and in our families, and we need to remember that peace is a gift from God. We are to develop that peace within ourselves, and ongoing revelation of Jesus in conjunction with the Holy Spirit. We are invited to the oneness between the Father and the Son. Our communities are called to serve, and our peace is the common treasure between God and humans.
Today, Jesus is present among us through the gift of peace. But what is our our way of developing that peace? Father ChiAi left us with that question to ponder.
