Five Ways – Jun 25

June 30, 2025

As we end the month of June, with its devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and begin the month of July, with its devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus, both reminding us of the joy we have because of the love of Jesus, let us look at several insights from children.  May these insights deepen our joy.

Moses died before he ever reached Canada.  Then Joshua led the Hebrews in the battle of Geritol.  David was a Hebrew king who was skilled at playing the liar.  He fought the Finkelsteins, a race of people who lived in biblical times.  Solomon, one of David’s sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines. (Many thanks to Fr. Gilmond Boucher, O.M.I., Father Gloat Gleanings).

As we learn more about Pope Leo XIV’s background, it is significant that he became good friends with a Lutheran pastor and his wife.  When seminarian Robert Prevost was undergoing training in Clinical Pastor Experience (CPE) during the summer of 1980, he was sent from Chicago to St. Paul, MN, where he became close friends with a Lutheran seminarian, John Snider.  When Snider married, Robert’s friendship included her.  Almost every time he returned to the USA from Peru, he would visit the Snider’s and deepen their relationship.

So it is no surprise that at his inauguration as Pope Leo XIV, he told those attending:  “As bishop of Rome, I consider one of my priorities to be that of seeking the reestablishment of full and visible communion among all those who profess the same faith in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

He also explained, “Aware moreover, that synodality and ecumenism are closely linked, I would like to assure you of my intention to continue Pope Francis’ commitment to promoting the synodal nature of the Catholic Church and developing new and concrete forms for an ever stronger synodality in ecumenical relations.”

May  summertime be a grace-filled opportunity for us to grow closer to our Christian brothers and sisters, for the sake of better evangelization.

In Christ’s love,

Fr. Harry