June 28, 2026, 12:00 PM
I noticed that we’re using the phrase “Season of Saints” to describe our parishes’ summer picnic. I can’t take credit for that phrase, but I like it a lot!
We do seem to be in a “season of saints.” Earlier this month we remembered St Boniface, that great evangelist who left the comfort of his English monastery to bring the gospel to the Germanic peoples. In a few weeks we’ll gear up for the traditional novena to St Ann, “mother of her who is our life, our sweetness and our hope.” And in August we celebrate the feast of St Lawrence, the deacon martyr who lovingly cared for the poor and bravely faced down the emperor’s court.
But, we have another patron to keep in mind.
This coming Monday the Church throughout the world honors the apostles Peter and Paul. We know their stories well—Peter’s from the gospels, Paul’s from his many letters to the churches of the first century. And, Peter is one of our patrons. The Diocese of Scranton falls under his prayerful protection. And that Diocese of Scranton is not some foreign power. We’re part of it. The Diocese welcomes our OCIA candidates each year, supports our Catholic school system, forms our priests and deacons, helps our parishes reach out to the less fortunate in our communities.
Just as our parishes and our church buildings give us saints to inspire us and pray for us, so the Diocese gives us the example and intercession of St Peter. This Monday (and this Sunday evening when this feast technically begins) let’s turn to Peter. Ask him to make us as quick and eager to follow the Lord in all things. Beg him to seek Christ’s mercy when we struggle and fall short. Pray that with Peter we can rejoice in Christ’s resurrection and be ready to proclaim good news to our world. Let Peter, who led the Church in challenging times, show us the way to grow in the unity that Christ so deeply desires for his people.
Fr. McCreary
