As I understand it, my friend, Austin Weaver, was instrumental in arranging for Bishop J. Mark Spalding to celebrate Mass with the Catholic Club (and parents) at MBA. It was special to see so many young men - seventh graders to seniors - up early and sitting together in Lowry Hall during Mass. Proud parents, like Jude and me, greeted each other as we took seats in the rows behind the boys.
It was honor for JP to be asked to be the reader this morning. Jude and I watched with great price as JP handled both readings and the (responsive) Psalm reading, as well. We're so blessed to have two boys whose Catholic faith is so strong. The Catholic Church and being Christians are very important to JP and Joe. In many ways, they live the Word every day in the way the conduct themselves as they move through their teenaged lives. Their faith is strong, which reassures me because at different times in their lives, they will need it.
Bishop Spalding's homily was outstanding, I though. Near the end, he reminded the boys that their first responsibility was to make sure they got into Heaven. Then, he suggested they bring as many other people with them, into Heaven, as they could. That message resonated with me.
As Mass was ending, Mike Lalonde asked Bishop Spalding to pray for Scott McRae, who died last week after a long bout with abdominal cancer. With tears in my eyes, Bishop Spalding led our group in a Hail Mary in Scott's honor. That meant a great deal to several of us in the room.
Afterwards, Jude and I mingled a bit, said goodbye to JP and Joe, and it was off to busy days at work. Still, what a nice start to our day and to the weekend.
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