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Sunday, June 28, 2026
Hello folks,
The Lord be with you all!
In the Gospel today, Our Lord rephrases the command to love God above all things in a way that jolts us: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” This is not to be interpreted that however much I love Him, I must now love them less. Rather, as His love surpasses our understanding, so we must seek to trust Him and love Him more than whatever seems most precious to us. It cannot be separated from the following statement implying the sacrifice of love, “Whoever does not take up His Cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.” Another challenge set. Let us trust Him enough to follow Him even in sacrifice.
Next weekend, the nation celebrates its 250th birthday. A National Eucharistic pilgrimage is ongoing in preparation for this and the pilgrimage this weekend passes through our diocese. I had meant to write about this previously; please forgive my omission. Still it is possible to participate this Sunday (6/28/26) evening at a 5pm Mass at Saint Brigid’s in Lexington, celebrated by Archbishop Henning, followed by a Eucharistic Procession from Saint Brigid’s to the historic Lexington Battle Green, where there will be a Benediction at 7pm. (If anyone sees this bulletin before the weekend, there are also events on Friday and Saturday; see our website for a link.)
On Friday, July 3, the office will be closed for Independence Day. However, morning and First Friday evening Adoration and the daily Mass will proceed as normal. Watch the website to see if the First Friday Young Adult meeting will happen.
Our first youth ministry meeting for teens happened this past Wednesday, and the next one will be on Wednesday, July 8 at 6pm in the Saint John’s classrooms. Please contact Bill McCaffrey (our religious education director) for more details.
The Groton Knights of Columbus is doing a membership drive after Masses this weekend in Our Lady of Grace Parish. The Knights in both parishes do great work and are good organizations for men to get involved in.
Finally, several people narrowly missed being hit by a falling massive tree limb from the giant linden tree in front of the rectory in Pepperell a week ago. Mead Tree Service promptly came to clear it away before Sunday Masses, and did an excellent job! However, it looks like the rot has gone into the center of the tree (feel free to take a look if it is still standing this weekend), and it is recommended that the whole tree be taken down. This is sad but necessary. Thanks again to Mead for their help with this.
Happy Independence Day, and God bless,
God bless,
Father Maher
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