From the RectorDear Parishioners and Friends, Mid-March can really be a mixed bag. Looking back at photos from recent years, I noticed that we had a very early spring in 2020, though I will happily take a later start this year over what we were going through then. Something that doesn't change are the fixed dates of two popular holy days: the feast of St. Patrick, and the feast of St. Joseph. Patrick was born into a Christian family about 390. His grandfather was a priest, and his father was a deacon, so you could say that he followed in the family business. He was kidnapped at age 16 and taken to Ireland, where he was forced to work as a shepherd. He escaped and returned to Britain, where he was educated and ordained a priest and later a bishop. A vision called him to return to Ireland, where he performed the remarkable missionary work of Christianizing and church building until his death in 461. Despite distressing circumstances, Joseph obediently accepted the vocation of protecting Mary and being an earthly father to Jesus. He led them into exile in Egypt to escape the plot of King Herod to kill the child Jesus, and later raised him as a devout Jew at Nazareth. Like Mary, Joseph accepted his God-given responsibility with gentleness and humility. In this country, both of these popular saints are celebrated widely, but especially by particular immigrant groups. Naturally, the Irish venerate St. Patrick, and the Italians venerate St. Joseph. In New Orleans, where they love all the Saints, both get rolled into one big celebration, and dispensation is granted from Lenten discipline. Elaborate altars made of baked goods are constructed to honor St. Joseph, and at the St. Patrick's parade (for some reason completely unrelated to the life of the saint), one can catch enough cabbage and potatoes tossed from floats to feed a small army. May their examples of openness to God's will and faithfulness in doing it be guideposts for all of us ants. See you Sunday! Blessings, Fr. Rick
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