Overheard in the Sacristy

Bishop and Servers

115 young people received the Sacrament of Confirmation this evening at St Charles Borromeo, and about 60 of those received their First Holy Communion. Bishop Olmsted, our Ordinary, was the Celebrant.

60 little ones celebrated their first confession this morning at St Charles Borromeo parish.

“But Jesus, calling them together, said: Suffer children to come to me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” — Luke 18:16 Douay-Rheims

During the renovation of the sanctuary of Saint Charles Borromeo church was found evidence of the original three-stepped altar platform and altar rail location. The church was built during the Second Vatican Council, so the first renovations were probably made when the church was only about six to eight years old. This recent renovation returned the altar to its original height though it is several feet forward of the back wall in line with GIRM # 299. The Extraordinary Form of the Mass is said at this altar five times a week, while the Ordinary Form is celebrated nine times a week.

A woman came into the sacristy after the 8:00 TLM this morning to introduce herself. She had a missal in hand, and a veil over her shoulders. Peoria AZ and Saint Charles Borromeo parish had been where she’d been raised. She received her sacraments many years earlier at the church. She is presently living in Idaho, and her son is an usus antiquor altar boy back home! She was very excited that the Traditional Latin Mass had returned to her childhood spiritual home. Nice.

Saint Charles Borromeo Church | Peoria, AZ

Palm Sunday of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Passiontide AD 2008

The Roman Catholic Church of Saint Charles Borromeo

Peoria, Arizona

A pastor announced to his congregation: “I have good news and bad news. The good news is we have enough money to pay for our renovation projects. The bad news is it’s still in your pockets.”

This image of Jesus, Divine Mercy was given to the parish this week. I have located it above the parish’s original baptismal bowl. The stand is new but I rescued the brass and copper bowl from its dusty storage in the sacristy.

The parish received this email today. In part it read:

“…is Father Gonzales planning on having the Traditional Latin Mass on Sundays?

We went to the 8 a.m. once during the week and it was so beautiful, wow he really knows Latin. We were a little lost but we are planning to buy some missals to follow.

Blessings.”

The parishioners of Saint Charles Borromeo and I would be very appreciative if you could pay a visit to ignatius.com and order a Pew Edition of the Adoremus Hymnal ($14.95). We would like to place at least three in every pew. A dedication label inside adorned with the above painting of Saint Cecilia, the Patroness of Catholic Church Music, would read:

Given to

Saint Charles Borromeo

Roman Catholic Parish

by

[Your Name]

Deo Gratias

Our shipping address is 8615 W. Peoria Av., Peoria, AZ 85345. Thank you for your consideration.