Mrs. Isabel Samuels, Mrs. Willie Evelyn Malone (St. Peter Villa)
Jenny Marshall (Willow Bend at Marion Ark Nursing Home)
Mr. Floyd Shavers (Metro Community Care Home)
Ill at Home
Mrs. Audrey Allen, Mr. Herbert Allen, Mr. Joseph Alsandor, Mrs. Annie Hines Atkins, Mrs. Essie Berry, Mrs. Monique Meacham Bethany, Mr. Gerald Bond, Mrs. Lula Crawford, Mr. Robert Crowley, Mrs. Judy Epps, Mrs. Wendy Funches, Mrs. Marshia Gilmore, Mr. Emory Gordon, Mrs. Lottie Gordon, Ms. Jacqueline Guerrero,Mr. William Harris, Mr. Darrell Hollimon, Mr. Willie Hollimon, Mrs. Helen Hoof, Mr. Robert Hooper, Dr. William Johnson, Mrs. Mary M. Jones, Mrs. Teresa Kimbrough, Mrs. Laura Kinchelow, Mrs. Mary Monroe, Mrs. Maurice McDonald, Mrs. Florine McMillan, Mrs. Bobby Redmond, Mr. Frank Reynolds, Mr. Stanley Robinson, Mrs. Allura Tate, Mrs. Forrestine Weed, Mr. Malcolm Weed, Mr. Johnnie Weaver.
Feast of Saint Blaise Blessing of the Throat
The Blessing of the Throats is a Catholic ritual usually observed on the feast of Saint Blaise (February 3rd). Above: Father G blesses the Throat of Ms. Dorothy Woods.
In observance of the Feast Day, Father G consecrated two candles, which were crossed and held against the throats of the people being blessed. Another option is to dip the the wick of a candle in consecrated oil, and to touch the throats with the wick.
The following blessing is usually given: "May God at the intercession of St. Blasius preserve you from throat troubles and every other evil," and followed by "In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit," as Father makes the sign of the cross over the recipient.
Many parishioners lined up to receive this blessing.
Most Solemn Feast: Easter: Blessing of the Baptismal Font
Easter Vigil began on March 22 at the moment of sunset. The Service of Light (blessing of fire, first lighting of Easter Candle, and exsultet) and one blessing of the baptismal font took place in addition to the Initiation of Elect. The blessing of the water in the Font was important for the ritual sprinkling of the congregation--which followed shortly thereafter--as a symbol of the renewal of Baptismal Promises. Father G sprinkled the crowd with gusto.
“One of the natural signs of a true Paulist is that he would prefer to suffer from the excesses of liberty rather than from the arbitrary actions of tyranny.”
Father Isaac Hecker, founder of the Paulist Fathers