26 March 2007

The patronal feast

Annunciation Parish in Shumway attached to my parish and, given that today is their patronal feast, we will celebrate this day in a special way.

This delightful parish has its beginnings in 1870 when the Franciscans first came to celebrate Mass in the area. The parish was founded as a mission in 1879 with twenty-six families. The current church (I hope to get pictures later today) was built in 1955. In 1958 the Bishop established the mission as a parish. In 2001, the parish was placed under the care of the Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua. As his vicar, I am very happy to assist him in the care of these souls. It is no secret that I have dreams of becoming the pastor of Shumway some day, although the Bishop says to me, with a smile on his face and in a joking fashion, whenever I suggest this to him, "Forget it."

Beginning at 3:00 p.m., the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for adoration. The Mass will be celebrated at 6:00 p.m., followed by a catered dinner with fun and goofy games for all ages.

I have been looking forward to this evening for several weeks now. Apparently, I am not the only one. As of last Monday evening, ninety-eight people had already signed up for the dinner, out of a total parish population of 320! This is a great little parish, faithful and dedicated. This is the same parish that has some sixty people coming to a Bible study every other night with me.

The homily for this evening's Mass will be forthcoming.

2 comments:

  1. Hmm, I suspect the bishop has bigger things in mind for you. Doesn't surprise me at all.
    Good picture. Della Robbia?

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  2. He may, though I'd be quite happy and content with Shumway.

    The image is indeed a Della Robbia. It is one of the ones on Mount LaVerna, where holy father Francis received the stigmata. I saw it when I was in college on pilgrimage to Assisi and have loved it ever since.

    One day I shall return to that holy mountain, and I pray that day will be soon...

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