There are many elderly people who are former parishioners of Corpus Christi Parish and now members of our shrine community who are not able to attend Mass or other activities. We would especially like to let them know that we are thinking of them and praying for them. In our later years we experience more and more limits as our bodies lose the vigor and strength of youth. This can be very frustrating and discouraging. But seen with the eyes of faith, we know that it is part of God’s mysterious Providence as He prepares us to enter into our heavenly homeland. We should also recall that we will share in Jesus’ victory over death and receive our bodies anew in a glorified state, like that of our Lord himself.

Whenever St. John Paul II would travel to a place he would always visit the sick and the elderly there to ask for their prayers. He knew the power of their intercession, and the amazing fruitfulness of his pontificate bears witness to this. Although hidden and seemingly useless in the view of the world, their prayers and offerings of their sufferings, in union with the Sacrifice of the Mass, have the power to move mountains.

Thank you again to all the homebound members of our shrine community for all you have done and continue to do for us. We are one family in the Mystical Body of Christ. Thanks also to Connie Pickles for suggesting that I write this article, which a testament to her charity and compassion.

God bless you all.

Fr. Peter