Recently, while on vacation at Lake George, NY, I had the opportunity to do something I’ve come to enjoy while walking on a popular pathway along the shore in Lake George Village.

In 1984, as the Catholic community in Duxbury continued to grow, it became more obvious that our parish needed a larger and more adequate space to gather for Masses and parish activities. And so, with the leadership of the pastor at the time, Msgr. William Glynn, the Archdiocese of Boston approved the purchase of over 11 acres of land as the site of a new Holy Family Church, which was to replace the much smaller church building on St. George Street – now part of the Duxbury campus of the South Shore Conservatory.

This weekend, our parish celebrates International Widows Day, traditionally celebrated on June 23rd, a day dedicated to becoming more aware of and responsive to the hardships that widows face when their husbands die. In support of these women, we invite the widows of our community to obtain a "flower of hope" as they exit the front door of church. From the earliest times, God has encouraged special solicitude for the needs of widows and orphans. Their unique circumstances make them very vulnerable and, consequently, call for people’s particular care and attention.

I was informed recently of an event that will take place at the Duxbury Free Library on Saturday, June 25 (4 – 5 pm), which is eliciting some alarm and questions from parishioners about the Catholic Church’s position on such events. It’s a Drag Queen Story Hour, and is described this way on the DQSH website: “DQSH is just what it sounds like—drag queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DQSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real.”READ MORE

Let’s look together at what we’re dealing with in this moment in history. Most recently, we’ve been shocked by the prevalence of unprecedented violence with mass shootings of innocent people happening around our country and the frustrating political gridlock hampering needed reform. Then, there’s the ongoing horrific war in Ukraine with the unbelievable injustice being perpetrated on an innocent people as one sovereign nation’s despot seeks to annex a weaker sovereign nation – all with a backdrop of potential escalation into a world war.

Many of our young people are graduating from either high school or college this spring. It’s filled with many emotions. There’s satisfaction in having accomplished one’s goal and achieved success. There’s gratitude for the many people who have been a support along the way, people who have helped in the learning and growth process – teachers, coaches, parents among others. There’s some sadness at leaving the familiar surroundings, the friends made at school, and the extracurricular activities enjoyed these past few years. There’s the excitement at the prospect of new beginnings and opportunities ahead. And, there’s some anxiety over the uncertainty of what it will be like and how things will turn out. Change is not easy. Still, it is a natural part of every stage in life.