May 28, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

How is it that we happen to have the gift of faith that we have? How is it that we are in this church on Sunday, celebrating the continued glory of the Easter season? For many of us, it is because our parents had faith and desired to pass it on. On a day like this, accompanied by those they asked to be our godparents, and other family and friends, our parents brought us as infants or children to this church, or one like it, and asked to have us baptized. In doing so, they handed on the gift of faith that had been given to them: by those who came before them, and those who came before them, and so on. What brings some of us to this church on this Seventh Sunday of Easter is an unbroken chain of faith that has been passed on. Take a few moments and think about that wonder – in faith, we are linked together with those who have preceded us.

For others, especially those who have recently been welcomed into the Church by the Easter sacraments, there is an equally mysterious chain of people who have helped them on their journey of faith, to this place. Some of them are friends or co-workers. Others may be family members or even those who once were total strangers. These people have served as catechists, sponsors, and godparents. Some of them have even been the ones who asked, “Have you ever thought about becoming Catholic?”

In the Gospel, Jesus prays for his disciples, the ones who will become the Apostles. As he prepares to experience his crucifixion, death, and resurrection, his thoughts turn to them, to pray for them. He knows they will be challenged in the times ahead. He also knows their faith will be instrumental and will inspire faith in those who will follow after them. The Gospel we hear proclaimed has a unique aspect to it, in the sense that Jesus, in a manner of speaking, turns and looks at each of us, as well as those who have gone before us and those who will follow after. He prayerfully asks his Father to share with us the gift of faith, given so that we may all be one – one in faith, one in hope, one in love.

The unity we experience together in this Eucharist is given to us to be shared. We share it with those who are around us – in our families, in our parish community, and in our world. This Eucharistic unity is a gift that extends back in time, uniting us with the saints and all the faithful departed through the ages. It also encourages us to share our faith with those to come. This faith, past, present and future, makes us all one in the mystical Body of Christ.

God Love Ya,
Fr. Reilly



On Saturday, May 10, 2025 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul during a Mass, Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez ordained 5 men as transitional deacons. After ordination, the men will serve full-time in archdiocesan parishes for six months while completing their formation at the seminary, in preparation for anticipated priestly ordination in May 2026.

We, as a parish family are blessed to receive one of these fine deacons, Rev. Mr. Declan Cole.

A native of Southampton and a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary after graduating from Archbishop Wood High School. He attended the parish school from kindergarten through eighth grade. The son of Mary and Quentin Cole, Declan is the middle child of seven siblings.

In his role of deacon, he will have many ministerial duties here that will prepare him for priestly ministry.

I know you will welcome him and make him feel at home during his time with us. I also ask that you continue to pray for him and his classmates as they continue to heed the call to priesthood.