“The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.”
There are moments in every Christian’s life when words fail us. Grief, uncertainty, or heavy burdens can leave us feeling incapable of even finding words for prayer. Yet Paul reminds us that our inability to find the right words is not a failure. It is precisely in our weakness that the Holy Spirit goes to work. The Spirit prays within us, carrying before the Father the deepest desires of our hearts, even those we cannot fully understand ourselves.
Pope St. John Paul II captured this truth when asked, “How does the Pope pray?” He replied, “You would have to ask the Holy Spirit! The Pope prays as the Holy Spirit permits him to pray.” Even the Successor of St. Peter recognized that authentic prayer is not first about eloquence or technique, but about surrendering to the work of the Holy Spirit.
This should give us confidence. God does not expect perfect prayers; He desires open hearts. Whether our prayer is filled with beautiful words, silent tears, or simply a longing to be near Him, the Holy Spirit is already at work, transforming our weakness into a prayer pleasing to the Father. The greatest prayer may simply be to place ourselves before God and allow the Spirit to pray within us.
SUMMER FAMILY FESTIVAL – One of the most special weeks of the year is upon us. The Annual Family Festival is a time of making memories and building community. This year’s Festival brings back the Town of Oyster Bay Showmobile where local entertainment will be featured. This is one way in which we hope to recapture the experience of community and belonging. While the Festival is a vital fundraiser for our school, its most significant purpose has always been to enjoy each other and the community that we live in. It is a time to watch our children become adults and those adults become parents who share these days with their children. It is my prayer that these days will be joyful and invigorating. I hope that they will set the tone of our yearlong celebration of our parish’s 75th Anniversary.
As I said a few weeks ago, we are hopeful that our shortened schedule will help to lessen the impact that the Festival has on the neighborhood residents and businesses. All who attend the Festival can help to make the event one that is not disruptive to that surrounding the church. Your cooperation with neighborhood parking regulations is greatly appreciated. In addition, we ask that parents of adolescence and teens either accompany their children or inform them that they are to enjoy the Festival and act respectfully on parish property and the neighborhood.
ANNIVERSARY PLANNING – I want to offer you a brief update on our plans for the celebration of our 75th Anniversary of our parish in November of 2027. A steering committee met with me recently, and we identified two clear priorities for the anniversary year; celebrate and preserve the history of St. Rose of Lima and plan a meaningful anniversary event each month throughout the celebration year. Here is a tentative schedule of events:
November 2026 – Opening Mass Year
December – Christmas Concert
January 2027 – Family Radio Bingo Event
February – Lenten Retreat, Fish Fry, Soup Supper
March – Garlic & Gaelic
April – Possible Sunrise Easter Beach Mass
May – School events – Field of Flags Military Remembrance, Golf Outing, Alumni Celebration
June – Corpus Christi Procession from St. William the Abbot to St. Rose
July – Summer Family Festival
August – St. Rose Feast Day Mass and Cookout
September – Parish Picnic
October – Anniversary Gala
November – Mass for the Closing of the Anniversary Year, Pilgrimage
Peace!
