THE HARVEST IS GREAT, BUT THE LABORERS ARE FEW

Greetings from Fr. Bob ...

It is May, that wonderful time of year when we know that the terrible winter is behind us, and we welcome seeing green leaves on the trees. In May, I usually write about Mother's Day or offer a reflection about the Blessed Mother, for whom this month is dedicated. This year, I want to remind you that Sunday, May 11th, is World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

It is no exaggeration to say that our church is in crisis. You only have to look at the statistics of how many priests are dying or retiring and how many are being ordained to know that, if things do not change in a few years, the celebration of Mass in some part of the country will be rare.

As a Church, we cannot exist without the Eucharist, and for that, we need priests. So, I ask you, on Sunday, May 11th and every day, to seek the Lord to once again bless His Church with an abundance of priests and religious.

During Mass some years ago, a priest was using the penitential rite for the blessing of people with holy water. As he began the rite, the priest realized that the sacramentary (the book used for prayers in the liturgy, today the New Roman Missal) had been left in the sacristy. Without a word, the priest immediately left to retrieve the book in the sacristy. In the meantime, the little server, not knowing what had happened to the Father, picked up the holy water container and went up and down the aisle blessing all the people! The people were smiling and making the sign of the cross. When the priest returned, he laughed and said, "I couldn't have done a better job myself," and continued with the Mass. In this true story, we readily understand how the little server saw a need and then felt called to do something about it. The boy had seen this holy action celebrated before – one that reminds us of our baptism – and he was ready to get involved.

And so I ask you to not only pray for vocations, but also encourage young people to consider a life of service to God and His church. Because after two thousand years of Christianity, the harvest is still great, but the laborers are so few.

                     Yours in Christ,
                     
                     Fr. Bob Warren, SA

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

In 1963 Pope Paul VI designated Good Shepherd Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, as World… This year the day will be celebrated on May 11. We pray that those who are discerning their life vocation listen to the Grace of God to guide them.

These prayers are not only for those seeking to join a religious order. We pray on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Good Shepherd Sunday that we may all be strengthened in our Christian vocations as married and single people, priests, deacons, and other religious, and that our youth may be called and encouraged to respond with generosity.

FRIARS TO HOLD COME AND SEE WEEKEND AT GRAYMOOR
MAY 16-18

Friday, May 16 through Sunday, May 18, the Friars will welcome men to our home at Graymoor for a Come & See Weekend. This will be a time to rest and relax, visit and pray in St. Francis Chapel where it all began.

The weekend will provide a special opportunity to greet, meet and eat with Friars who have served God's people worldwide.

There will be opportunity to walk and meditate on the beautiful grounds of the Holy Mountain as well as spend quality time with the Lord and the Bread of Life in the Chapels.

Come and See Vocations Retreats are held four times a year. The final Come and See weekend in 2014 will take place from Oct. 3-5, 2014.

If you or someone you know would like to join us for a time for all to open themselves to the calling of the Holy Spirit, please visit the link below for further details.

WEBSITE FEATURE: SITES AT GRAYMOOR INTERACTIVE MAP

One of the most popular pages on our website is the one that features: "Sites at Graymoor". Here you can have an "interactive" experience by learning about more than two dozen of the many special places, buildings, shrines and statues on the grounds of Graymoor, the Holy Mountain. We hope it inspires you to plan a visit this summer. In fact, Graymoor is a beautiful place to visit any time of year.

Be sure to pick up a printed copy of the map and informational brochure available at both our Visitor's Center and at the Graymoor Book and Gift Center.

CHAPEL OF OUR SAVIOR, "MINISTRY AT THE MALL" IN BROCKTON, MA

The Atonement Friars' special gem, The Chapel of our Savior, in Brockton, MA, offers a chapel, gift shop and prayer garden in the midst of a busy shopping area. This chapel was founded by Cardinal Cushing of the Boston Diocese in 1960 who invited the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement to what had become a local hub of commerce—the Westgate Shopping Plaza. The Friars have been there ever since, and the result has been The Chapel of Our Savior in Brockton, Massachusetts, has become a unique sacred space in the midst of a busy shopping center. Convenient Saturday night Masses at 5:30pm and 7:00pm meet Sunday obligation. Chapel of Our Savior is located at 475 Westgate Drive in Brockton.

Visit their recently updated website to learn more about their sacramental ministry, devotions and special gift shop.

5TH ANNUAL SUNSET ON THE HUDSON TO BE HELD THURSDAY, MAY 15TH

Support our ministries and enjoy an evening of fun at the 5th Annual Sunset on the Hudson at Xaviers on the Hudson, 71 Water Grant Street, Yonkers, NY, on Thursday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m. This social event promises to be an "Extraordinary Evening" with hors d'oeuvres and desserts from the kitchen of acclaimed chef Peter X. Kelly. Live music from Let's Dance Music, and a silent auction are also a part of the festivities. The evening's honorary chair is renowned author Mary Higgins Clark. Kacey Morabito, of Hudson Valley radio station WHUD, is the master of ceremonies.

Individual tickets for Sunset on the Hudson are $175. Sponsorships are available. For reservations, call Lisa Koesling at (845) 424-2137.

BECOME A GRAYMOOR SPONSOR

On the day that he was announced as Pope, our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis asked us for a favor. He asked us "to walk together and take care of one another." Since then he has reminded us on many occasions to follow the example of St. Francis as he walked in the footsteps of Jesus caring for those less fortunate. As Franciscan Friars of the Atonement we are dedicated to following in those same footsteps. We invite you to answer our Holy Father's request and join us as we "walk with Francis". Become a Graymoor Sponsor today with a commitment of a monthly gift to the Friars (even as little as $8.00 a month helps!). In addition to the reward of knowing you are making a difference, there are many other benefits to becoming a Sponsor.

SHARE IN OUR MINISTRY OF PRAYER

St. Francis Chapel, Graymoor