6/11/2023

By the end of the summer we will not have anyone actively doing youth ministry for the parish. When I came, Sam Geringer, who had been in the seminary, was the full time youth minister for both age groups. He was here for three years, then left. Since then we have not had much success in finding someone to do the ministry on a permanent basis. We have had various people step up for a short time, but no real solution at present. While we can advertise for someone (like Sam) to fill the youth position, it remains hard to find people who want to or will move to Maryville. The ideal solution would be to find someone who lives in the vicinity, if at all possible. I will also be looking for college students at Newman to see if there is any interest. If anyone wants to work with youth, please get in touch, or if you know of someone who would be good with youth, encourage him/her to step forward. I just want you to know where we are in regard to our youth ministry, and looking for some help in finding people to do youth ministry.
This weekend is Corpus Christi, and next weekend will be not only Father’s Day but the feast of our patron saint, St. Gregory Barbarigo. We will use the readings for the Eleventh Sunday of the Year, but will use prayers and preface for the patronal feast. I would like to have us celebrate this feast annually.
St. Gregory Barbarigo is not as well-known as many saints, but he is our patron. He lived from 9/16/1625 – 6/18/1697. He was born in Venice, was bishop in Bergamo and Padua where he died. He was also a cardinal who was one of the front runners in the 1689 and 1691 papal conclaves. He distinguished himself as a diplomat and a scholar, obtaining doctorates in both civil and canon law as well as theology. He was canonized in 1960 by Pope John XXIII. It is common to name new parishes after newly canonized saints, and the parish was formed from the older two in 1963. Curiously in light of the recent interest created by the apparent incorrupt body of Sr. Wilhelmina Lancaster, the foundress of the Gower sisters, St. Gregory Barbarigo’s body is also incorrupt. When only 35 years old, he became a cardinal and distinguished himself as a bishop and as one who helped the poor during an outburst of the plague. His hero was St. Charles Borrowmeo, and like St. Charles he followed the teachings of the Council of Trent closely. St. Gregory was a conscientious administrator and saw to the needs of the poor. There are a lot of good qualities to emulate in St. Gregory Barbarigo.
It is a privilege to walk together with you towards our heavenly home.

Father Albert, O.S.B.