Homily Fifth Friday of Easter (Feast of St. Isidore) 2020
One of things we notice about the canonized saints of the church is there are very few lay men and women on the list. Usually saints were ordained, or part of a religious community, but people who are priests, bishops, sisters, or brothers have been a small percentage of the Christians who have lived throughout the centuries.
Most Christians have been married, have raised children, and had occupations in the secular world. I have known a lot of lay people who are far more holy than I will ever be as an ordained minister. That is not to say that there are not holy clergy and religious, but it is to say that the way to holiness has many paths.
Today we commemorate St. Isadore the Farmer. St. Isidore is one of the only lay men who has a feast day on the liturgical calendar. Isidore lived near Madrid in 1,000 A.D. He worked as a farm laborer his whole life. He married a peasant like himself.
Isidore was know for his wonderful prayer life which revolved around a lot of devotions. He also was known for how he went out of his way to serve the poor. Isidore was a wonderful husband. His only son died at a young age which caused his wife and him great sadness.
After his death, his grave became a place of prayer and many miracles were attributed to him. King Philip III attributed a cure to his intercession and led the cause for his canonization.
Isadore symbolizes all who live rather ordinary lives, but nonetheless have a great impact on others. Such people are the glue that hold the church together and our society. We need devout people in the church who do not seek notoriety, but only want to please God whatever their station in life.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do I think that I need to be heroic to be holy? Does my life of prayer lead me to a greater holiness?
2. How many anonymous Christians have I known in my life? Is it more important to be a good person or an important person in the eyes of the world?
Dear Parishioners,
We received word from the Diocese of Peoria that we can have drive-up religious services according to the governor’s plan for reopening the state. The Diocese is recommending that we distribute communion outside the church.
We are going to begin this practice this Sunday May 17th after we toll the church bell for the people who have died in our country during the pandemic. We will have Mass, toll the bell, and then distribute communion by the back door of the church. Communion will be distributed at approximately 9:15 a.m. The priests and Deacon Pat will dispense communion until everyone receives.
If you would like to receive communion, you can drive to the church lot and park. Enter the parking lot by way of the driveway that runs past the rectory off 17th Ave. Volunteers will be there to greet you and give you instructions. When you leave, we ask you to leave by the 13th Street entrance/exit. That way we will have an organized flow of traffic.
Please try to watch our live stream Mass before you come and try to make a prayer of thanksgiving before you leave. We also would ask that you wear a mask and keep social distance.
We will distribute Communion a half hour after every livestream Mass until we move to another phase of opening our parish. That would mean we will distribute Holy Communion at 9 a.m. every day and after the 4 p.m. Mass on Saturdays beginning Saturday May 23rd.
Our main desire would be to keep everyone safe. If you are considered medically vulnerable it would be best to stay home as the governor has asked.
Another priority would be to receive the Eucharist with reverence. Please maintain an attitude of prayer and quiet while you are here to receive the Eucharist.
I know you have been struggling because you have not been able to receive the Eucharist. I hope the fact you can receive communion will give you some solace at this most difficult time.
May Mary and all the Angels and Saints watch over us today.
Fr. Mark
P.S. If we have inclement weather on a given day, we will not distribute communion after our Mass. Let’s pray that does not happen.