We have beautiful grounds and an amazing setting here at Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, as we are blessed in many ways…including the fact that our parish property is consecrated grounds. It has been my goal, with the help of many, to make the outside property part of the liturgical space of our church.

And one was here as a transitional deacon for a short time, now the Reverend Father Joseph MacNeill, and our deepest and most prayerful congratulations go out to Fr. MacNeill. Father is now temporarily assigned as Parochial Vicar at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury until late August/early September when Fr. MacNeill will return to Rome to complete his studies.

In this fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time the Gospel of Mark, chapter 6, vs. 1-6, provides us with the telling of Jesus’ teaching in the synagogue and that the listeners were astonished by His Wisdom said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him…? Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary…?” Yet the wisdom spoken was diluted by the speaker itself.