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Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.
As full of spirit as the month of May,
And as gorgeous as the sun of Midsummer. (William Shakespeare)
May Day with its traditional May Day baskets—pipe cleaner handle and Dixie cup basket filled with certain treats, offered to neighbors and friends. Traditionally this day was recognized as the half way point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice; one of the four ‘cross- quarter’ days in Celtic lore, marking the halfway points in the seasonal changes. A reminder if you will of God’s creative touch within the four seasons, as every sunrise reminds us of God’s faithfulness: “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22). On this Sunday, carrying on the tradition of gratitude and sharing of May Day, our Lord will give us an opportunity to extend a simple gesture of gratitude to a neighbor, someone sharing your pew in church, or an individual with whom you cross paths. A reminder of God’s gracious gift of our seasons and his faithfulness.
May is traditionally the month of Mary. Recollections of childhood, my mother would place a statue of Mary in a prominent place within our house and shroud the figure with a weaving of flowers. At the beginning of May, she quietly left it in a conspicuous place within our home reminding us of Mary’s gentle intercession active in the world. Many Catholic parishes have traditionally held a “May Crowning” as the month of May begins, adorning a statue in her image with flowers, emphasizing Mary’s relevance in our faith journeys. History recognizes how, in Ancient Rome, Mary was dedicated to the goddess of blooms or blossoms— new growth. Referred to as “Ladies Month,” this tradition has carried over to the present day. In Boone County each of our Catholic Churches will have a simple, dignified “May Crowning” during Mass—following Communion—as we seek to remind ourselves of the Mary’s faith and sacrifices, and her gentle intercession on our behalf.
Congratulations to the ten students receiving their First Holy Communion at St. Malachy’s this weekend. Thank you, parents, for providing a foundation of Catholic faith for your child and encouraging their participation within this precious Sacrament, receiving the Eucharist. May your home be blessed with the virtues of our faith; and may you share in the Eucharist as family. “If angels could envy, they would envy us for Holy Communion.” (Pope Pius X)
Sometime in mid May work will begin on the south facing steps of Sacred Heart Church. They will be taken out, replaced with a new landing and a simple set of steps. At the same time the doors on the south and east side will be replaced. Aware of the years of wear on the steps and the faltering doors, the plan is to create a safe and dignified south entrance reflecting the exterior architecture. Aware of how the present south doors have far exceeded their life expectancy, the replacements will be energy efficient while bringing in needed light within the church vestibule. As the project is carried out during the next two months the south church doors will be inaccessible. A gracious grant from a Foundation is funding the entire project, with the desire to enhance the dignity of our church, and at the same time creating a safe and welcoming approach for parishioners and visitors alike. While the construction is taking place parishioners and visitors will use the parish hall entrance or the east entrance. I’m sorry for any inconvenience during this project. May our church facilities continue to reflect a place of welcome for those who desire to share in our prayers and Sacramental life.
Though we have our concerns pertaining to the Diocesan Pastoral Plan for our three church communities in Boone County, the steps need to be carried forward as the diocese requests. One of the steps forward is the renaming of our parish as a cluster of three churches as one. Each church will retain its name (St. John, St. Malachy, Sacred Heart) but with the pastoral plan to incorporate us as one parish, an overall name must be chosen. Bishop is clear that it may not be a parish name that already encompasses another cluster of churches. If you have a suggestion(s) please contact the parish office; or you may share the name on our Boone County Catholic website. In turn we will give the bishop the three most popular names; the final decision will be his. (My hometown church of St. Joseph now clustered with Algona, West Bend, Bancroft, Whittemore, St. Joe as one parish is now called Divine Mercy Parish. In the Carroll area the numerous churches now clustered together are called St. John Paul II Parish.) If you have a specific suggestion that would reflect our church communities here in Boone County, please call our office or share on our church website. In the midst of this change, as unsettling as it is, thank you for your hope and thoughtfulness.
God bless, Fr. Tim
"I'm only wishing to go a-fishing; for this the month of May was made." (Henry Van Dyke)
