For the Weekend of May 9, 2021
Dear People of God,
It’s truly hard to believe that the Sixth Sunday of Easter is already upon us.
Happy and blessed Mother’s Day to all Mothers and Grandmothers both still here or in Heaven, and all those
women who have shared their motherly gifts with others who needed them. Thank you especially to those
women who have taken on motherly duties for all of our brothers and priests here at Mary Help of Christians -
at St. Philip Residence, Bon Secours Maria Manor, Mary Help Center, Mary Help Parish, and all the associated
ministries that go with each of them. You are all a blessing from God to us all!
Today’s Gospel challenges us to seek the real meaning of love. Is love in the truest sense of the word simply an
emotion, just about a feeling, or is it something much deeper, much more?
The gospel this weekend reminds us that love is a choice. Specifically, love is a choice to “lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Laying down one’s life indicates a number of things. First, it shows that the nature of love is a total self-gift.
Laying down your life can never be done half way. Either your life is laid down or it is not. This reveals that
love, in order for it to be love in the truest sense, is a total commitment of a 100% of your life.
We also see that love is sacrificial. It requires that we look to the other first, putting their needs before our
own. Love, then, requires both sacrifice and selflessness. The bottom line is that giving of ourselves until it
hurts turns any small or large sacrifice we give into a blessing for them, and a wonderful reward for us.
Our mission Statement prays and hopes that everyone who worships with us might be transformed into a
people “Courageously living the Gospel”. In these strange and sometimes discouraging times, may we open
ourselves to the Easter light of Jesus and allow him to make that prayer a reality!
Don’t let the virus news overwhelm you. Be strong in your faith; be courageous and unfaltering in your
knowledge and belief that Jesus loves you . . . and He always will!
As usual please remember to pray for all of the Salesians in our presence here at MHC . . . especially those at St. Philip Residence. Be assured we will be doing the same for you.
Peace Always!
Fr. Steve Dumais, SDB.
Pastor