Dear Parishioners and Friends,
During my little jaunt to New York City last weekend, I had the opportunity to catch the penultimate day of an exhibition at The Morgan Library entitled “Morgan’s Bibles: Splendor in Scripture.” I thought it was an appropriate way to celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God by exploring a small portion of the Library’s extraordinary holdings of Bibles dating back to the Middle Ages, including the Bible Moralisée of King Louis IX (1227-34) and the Gutenberg Bible (c.1455), pictured below.
The Morgan Library is the only institution in the world to possess three copies of the Gutenberg Bible, the first substantial book printed from movable type in the West. These and other bibles, psalters, hymnals, prints, leaves of chant books and other sacred objects were on display.
This weekend, we celebrate with our brothers and sisters in Haiti the feast of St. Geneviève, the patron saint of our Sister Parish.
As you are aware, the nation of Haiti has been in the throes of much upheaval due to the lack of a functioning national government and the disruptive forces unleashed by gang activity, principally in the area of the capital, Port au Prince. Our Sister Parish of St. Geneviève has suffered tremendously as a result of these events, and we join our hearts with them in prayer for their safety and security.
Our Sister Parish Committee, chaired by Marc Sherer, has been in constant communication with the pastor, Fr. Gaby Noël. I hope you have been reading some of the news that our Sister Parish Committee has provided in the bulletin and parish emails.
Even in the midst of great anxiety and uncertainty, there is hope for a better future for the Haitian people. For the people at St. Geneviève parish in particular, our committee has focused on the parish school by providing funds for hot meals to feed the students, and appropriate salaries for the dedicated teachers.
Here is a message Marc Sherer received this past week from Fr. Gaby:
“Good evening dear friend Marc,
It is with great joy that I receive your message, I thank you and I ask you to thank the committee on my behalf and on behalf of all the teachers, parents and students in general of our school establishment … May the Lord bless you, protect you and accompany you in all your activities!” Father Gaby Noel.
As we continue to support our Haitian brothers and sisters, we pray through the intercession of St. Geneviève that they will be protected and delivered from the danger that has befallen them. We are providing prayer cards for you to take as a token of our thanks for your onoing support, both in prayer and by your financial gifts. Our covenant with St. Geneviève Parish calls us to assist them however we are able, and I know how grateful they are for your loving support.
Blessings on your week ahead!
Fr. Tim Shreenan, O.F.M., Pastor
