Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Pastor
~ Though I missed being here at St. Margaret of Scotland, I enjoyed being back at St. Pius V last weekend to celebrate their 10:00am Mass! It was wonderful to see so many parishioners that I have known for many years and to meet some new folks, too. Beginning next month, I expect that I will be back and forth between St. Margaret and St. Pius for 10:00am Mass. When I am not here, please welcome the visiting priests who will be here, many of whom you already know!
Fr. Tim Cook was the presider last Sunday. Fr. Cook is a recently retired priest of the Archdiocese. He has served at many parishes, including as Pastor of Sts. Teresa and Bridget in the North City, and as Senior Associate Pastor when I was pastor of Mary, Queen of Peace. Fr. Cook now lives close to St. Margaret, and he is a friend of mine and a good friend to many here in the parish, so I’m sure you will see him more often.
This weekend, Fr. Jesse Rodriguez, SJ, is presiding at the 10:00am Mass. Fr. Jesse is one of my dearest friends! He is originally from San Antonio, TX, and currently lives in Rome and works at the Jesuit Curia as a Regional Secretary for North America. We met over 20 years ago when he spent some time in St. Louis, and we have been friends ever since. I have been to visit him many times in Rome, and every year or so, he comes to the US for holiday. This month, St. Margaret of Scotland is his home base as he visits family and friends in the US. Many of our parishioners know Fr. Jesse from daily Mass and from our pilgrimage to Rome during the Holy Year 2025.
Next weekend, Fr. Carl Scheble will preside at the 10:00am Mass. Fr. Carl is the Vicar General for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, which means he is the #2 guy! He works closely with the Archbishop and the many offices and agencies of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. He has served as pastor at St. John the Baptist in South City, Visitation-St. Anne in the North City, and others. Fr. Carl is now in residence at St. Pius V Rectory and is assisting with Masses at St. Pius. I expect that Fr. Carl will also be here to preside at 10:00am Mass from time to time.
Msgr. Mike Turek will be presiding at Masses here at St. Margaret more often. As you know, Monsignor is a retired priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and is in residence here at St. Margaret. This year is his 50th Anniversary of Ordination, so he has been celebrating all over the Archdiocese, as he has served as pastor at many parishes, including St. Norbert, St. Joan of Arc, Christ the King, and others. Expect to see him more at our Sunday and daily Masses when he is not away traveling!
Our Dominican friends are also able and willing to come to St. Margaret, so you may see Fr. Charlie Bouchard, OP, and Fr. Tom Condon, OP, from time to time. Fr. Bouchard has been coming to St. Margaret for many years and is a distinguished and well-published moral theologian. Fr. Condon serves as the Prior for the St. Dominic Priory on Lafayette Avenue.
This is summer vacation time, so if you and your family are traveling, don’t forget to make time for Sunday Mass! Attending other parishes can be a great opportunity to see and experience the wide variety of liturgy found in our Universal Church. To find parishes and Mass times in the US and even throughout the world, a handy website is www.masstimes.org. May your summertime be blessed!
