On Sunday, July 24th, we will celebrate the Feast Day of St. Mary Magdalene, patroness of our parish. While I would like to tell you more about this special lady, I am saving that for the sermon. I don't want to give you a reason to skip church!

But what is the role of a parish's patron saint? What is their relationship to us as a community of people? Christians since the earliest days found inspiration and guidance in certain persons. You can do the same, individually, like I do. St. Benedict is the saint for my head, St. Francis is the saint for my heart. I look to each, I pray to each as an intercessor for me, to inspire me and lead me to better know my Lord and live. I hope you have discovered a saint that speaks to you in the same way, as a brother or sister in the Communion of Saints of which we have been a part since our Baptisms.

Communities, like parishes, have also sought inspiration, guidance, and intercession through the great examples of the Body of Christ. It is more than having a special medal to wear, choosing a fancy name to attract people to the faith, or add grandeur to a church edifice. It is about modeling the life of the parish after this holy example.

Our example is St. Mary Magdalene. We claim her in hopes that she claims us. Because I was not here then, I don't know why she was chosen, maybe one of you does. But this "apostle to the apostles", who cared for our Lord and his disciples, is our inspiration, our guide, our intercessor as a people of God. Let us call upon her to speak for us and guide us by her spirit and faith...

Fr. Evan+