Dear friends in Christ
The Gospel of Mass this Sunday speaks of the requirements Jesus makes for following Him. He has called each one of us, and whether we have made a conscious decision or not, we are one of His disciples. This, as again Jesus reminds us when speaking about building a tower, is an adventure, an enterprise that requires our full commitment. These sentiments chime-in well with the Canonisation this Sunday of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati. On Sunday morning Pope Leo XIV will declare these two young men Saints thereby holding them up for our veneration and imitation. Born in London in 1991 and raised in Milan, Carlo Acutis attended daily Mass from a young age and was passionate about the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Shortly after his first Communion at the age of 7, Carlo told his mother: “To always be united to Jesus: This is my life plan.” Pier Giorgio Frassati, who died at the age of 24 in 1925, is also beloved by many today for his enthusiastic witness to holiness. This young man from the city of Turin was an avid mountaineer and Third Order Dominican known for his charitable outreach. Born on April 6, 1901, Pier Giorgio was the son of the founder and director of the Italian newspaper La Stampa. At the age of 17, he joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society and dedicated much of his spare time to taking care of the poor, the homeless, and the sick as well as demobilised servicemen returning from World War I. On a photograph of what would be his last climb, Frassati wrote the phrase “Verso L’Alto,” which means “to the heights.” This phrase has become a motto for Catholics inspired by Pier Giorgio to strive for the summit of eternal life with Christ. Frassati died of polio on July 4, 1925. May the example of these two modern Saints inspire all young people, and those not so young, to aspire to the heights of Christian perfection.
This Monday evening we shall celebrate Holy Mass to mark the Centenary of the Opening of our church. This will be followed by a Reception in the Parish Centre. Elsewhere in this Newsletter you can read of the details of this celebration, and another the following Sunday, which gives us the opportunity to thank God for the graces received in His holy church and offer thanksgiving for all those who had the generosity and foresight to make this beautiful gift to the glory of God and His Blessed Mother!
May God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale