Fr. Mike's Communication for May 25 2025

6th SUNDAY OF EASTER

You heard me tell you, “I am going away and I will come back to you.”
If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I.
-John 14

MAY 25, 2025

horizon line with teh words Peace be with you always

Brothers and Sisters,

Brothers and sisters,

“The peace of the Lord be with you always.”

After the consecration—when the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ—we are united with Christ our Head. In his real presence, we pray the words he taught us and still teaches his disciples today. The Lord’s Prayer is a prayer of dependence on God the Father, a reminder that we are his children. It is also a prayer of unity—each of us an only child, yet together, brothers and sisters in Christ.

“Stay with us” is a recurring plea in Scripture. When people recognize God’s presence, they instinctively hold onto it. Seeing Jesus transfigured, Peter wanted to remain with Jesus on the mountain and build tents. But God calls us not to remain unchanged in his presence, but to be transformed by it. Not just the bread and wine, but we are meant to become the abiding presence of Jesus in the world.

As we prepare to celebrate the Ascension of the Lord and then the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, let us pray together for the peace that comes from our own transformation into the Body of Christ. May Jesus abide with us fully as we cooperate with his grace. In his first Mass on May 9, Pope Leo XIV quoted St. Ignatius of Antioch: “I will truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ when the world no longer sees my body.” Let us pray for the grace to live so fully for God that our lives give him all the glory.

We also lift up in prayer our brothers and sisters of Divine Mercy Parish in Allegheny and Garrett Counties, who suffered devastating flooding last week. The Archdiocese is actively mobilizing support for the affected communities, including St. Gabriel in Barton and St. Peter in Westernport. St. Peter’s campus is now a vital staging ground for first responders and restoration teams. If you’re able, please consider a donation to support their recovery efforts. Visit archbalt.org and select Flood Relief for Divine Mercy Parish to contribute.

Pentecost Novena Begins This Week

Nine days of prayer lead us to the celebration of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church. As faithful disciples, we are called to be attentive to the Holy Spirit—in prayer, in Scripture, and through the voices of Church leaders and prophets. When we follow the Spirit’s lead, we bear true and lasting fruit. View the complete Pentecost schedule and join us in prayer and celebration:olphparish.org/pentecost

We’ll pray the novena together after daily Mass starting Friday, May 30—including at all Sunday Masses—concluding with our Pentecost celebrations. Join us for the Extended Vigil on Saturday, June 7 at 7:00 p.m. Our 11:00 a.m. Pentecost Mass will also highlight the richness of our parish’s cultural diversity through language, music, and fellowship. Stay after Mass for our cultural potluck and celebration! Register today and be part of one of the great feasts of our Church year.

In the Lord,

Rev. Michael S. Triplett

INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING AT THE COLUMBIA PREGNANCY CENTER? – The Columbia Pregnancy Center is offering a Volunteer Orientation on May 29^th. If you would like to learn more about their great works and offer your time through this ministry, reach out to Maria Bartolac, Client Services Coordinator at coordinator@columbia-pregnancy.org

LIFE GIVING WOUNDS HEALING RETREAT – for Adult Children of Divorced or Separated Parents. This three-day healing retreat is for adults whose parents have divorced or separated. The retreat includes live music throughout the weekend, presentations by trained retreat leaders and experts, guided small group discussions with peers, silent journaling sessions, prayer and the Sacraments, and more. It will occur on May 30-June 1 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Clinton, Maryland. Registration is $200 for adults ages 26+ or $125 for adults ages 18-25. More info and registration can be found at www.lifegivingwounds.org/marylandretreat2025.

HIRING – LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR – VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR – This position would work directly with current volunteers and train new youth and adult volunteers. The coordinator would also be ready to assist in other responsible duties such as occasional shopping, driving errands or Sisters’ appointments, relieving the receptionist for breaks, helping with the Residents’ store, assisting with activities or fundraisers, etc. Interested? Email Kathy Euell, HR Director at hrbaltimore@littlesistersoftrhepoor.org.

MAY IS NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH – This May, as we recognize National Mental Health Awareness Month, let us find comfort in the words of our Lord in the Gospel of Matthew, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” The Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Mental Wellness Ministry offers a database of resources for Catholic families. Visit Archbalt.org/help-is-here to find directories for Catholic counselors, resources for crisis support, prayers, helpful articles and pastoral messages and a step-by-step guide for parishes looking to establish mental health ministries. Now in its fifth year, the Archdiocesan initiative has helped to foster more than a dozen parish-based ministries that offer spiritual accompaniment to those who suffer from mental illness or those who love or care for someone who does.

INTERESTED IN A CAREER WITH THE ARCHDIOCESE OF BALTIMORE? – The Archdiocese of Baltimore supports all those who are seeking employment and most recently, federal workers and those employed at non-profits facing cutbacks due to executive orders. See employment opportunities at the Archdiocese of Baltimore: Employment – Archdiocese of Baltimore