This Monday is Memorial Day, a holiday on which we remember in a special way all of the men and women who served in the armed forces and sacrificed their lives protecting our country and its freedoms. It was originally a day to remember the lives lost in the Civil War, but it was eventually broadened to encompass all wars and armed conflicts. Sadly, there have been many of them over the course of our nation’s history.

A recent news report explored reasons why, to date, there is such a large difference in the number of deaths due to Covid between the United States and Australia. Tragically, the U.S just marked 1 million deaths. However, Australia’s death rate for the same period is one-tenth of America’s. The report acknowledged that differences in geography and other factors unique to each country could account for some insignificant differences in outcomes. However, one observation noted a more significant difference, that Australia’s approach to Covid, generally speaking, has been stricter. And, from many interviews, survey data, and scientific studies from around the world, one lifesaving trait surfaced among the Australian people from top level government to local hospitals: they trusted in the science and institutions, and especially in one another.

The recent leak of a draft of an opinion from the Supreme Court about overturning Roe v. Wade has engendered much consternation and outcry leading to rallies that support “women’s reproductive rights to choose.” It’s sad to note that this focus is solely on the woman without any acknowledgement of the human being growing within the woman’s body. I’ve noticed over the years, that there has been an increasing disregard for the unborn child from what was once an attitude that abortions should be “safe, legal and rare.” Now, there’s a more cavalier attitude of “my body – my choice” in all circumstances, which really denies the regrettable and heart-wrenching reality involved. It’s called “my baby” only when it’s wanted. It’s not surprising that such truth is being denied in a culture that now allows persons to twist reality to fit their own ends.

It was 34 years ago today, May 8, 1988, that our “new” church building on Tremont Street was dedicated. The Catholic community had outgrown the much smaller church on St. George Street, which was later sold and transformed into the Ellison Center for the Arts, a campus of the South Shore Conservatory. Our present church building has suited our needs well, accommodating the growth our Catholic community has experienced over the years.

Do you remember your First Holy Communion? Sadly, I have only vague recollections and they focus on the ice cream we children enjoyed in our parish school hall after the Mass. It’s an important and pivotal moment in the lives of our children, not merely a rite of passage as a cultural Catholic.

You may have heard recently the sad news that Miramar Retreat Center here in Duxbury will close at the end of June. It has been a tremendous spiritual oasis for thousands of people from near and far for nearly 75 years. The Divine Word Missionaries (SVDs), a Catholic religious order of missionary priests and brothers, have staffed the Center from the beginning, and have generously welcomed people of all faiths for times of prayer, reflection, renewal and spiritual direction, as well as to enjoy the Center’s beautiful grounds.

This Sunday, Palm/Passion Sunday, begins Holy Week, the time in our liturgical calendar when we celebrate the central mysteries of our faith, what the Church calls the Paschal Mystery – Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. We reflect upon what God has done for us in the unique expression of His love and mercy through Jesus’ offering of Himself in sacrifice to the Father for the forgiveness of our sins and those of all humanity.

This weekend begins National Child Abuse Prevention month. And, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the passage of the Catholic Church’s National Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Cardinal Sean has set aside this weekend, April 2/3, as a time for parishes to pray for continued healing of those who have been abused, to pray for all impacted by abuse, to offer a prayer of thanks for the work of all those who focus on child safety, and to recommit to ongoing practices designed to keep all children free from abuse. Please keep these intentions in your prayers. On this occasion, I share with you a message from an abuse survivor.

On Friday, March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation, Pope Francis, consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during a prayer service at St. Peter’s Basilica. The Holy Father asked that all Bishops and Priests join in the Prayer of Consecration in their dioceses, parishes, and churches at Masses and Prayer services that day.

Hi everyone, it’s Matt from the Youth Faith Formation Office doing a youth ministry takeover of the Pastor’s Corner this week. Our high school and middle school teens have been up to some amazing things over the last month that I wanted to share with you.

As you might remember, after all of the Masses on Superbowl weekend, teens were at the doors of the Church collecting money for our Souper Bowl of Caring campaign.

Back in February, our Parish Pastoral Plan Writing Team asked for parishioner feedback about what we can do as a parish to achieve this Vision: Holy Family strives to be a joyful, welcoming community of faith that encounters Jesus, and thinks with His mind and loves with His heart. We are pleased to have received 189 responses. Some people addressed issues related to Church teaching, which is beyond the purview of our parish to change. Yet, these matters are certainly worthy of our concern by both helping to dispel any misinformation there might be as well as by reaching out to those we encounter who feel unwelcome.

What are you doing for Lent? One thing I’m thinking about doing is more spiritual reading. But, that won’t be easy as it’ll require reorganizing my routine. And, if you’re into a routine like I am, it takes great discipline to shift things around. I know I’ll benefit from it, but I need to work out the steps NOW before I begin to carry out my plan. How about you? What are you going to do for Lent... not just what are you going to give up for Lent – like eating sweets.