Dear Parishioners of Mary Immaculate and Saint Rose,
      I just recently made a visit home to Ohio and this past weekend many of you greeted me and asked me how my trip was.  One never knowns how to respond to such questions, whether to give a cheery positive answer or to tell the truth.                                                                While I was on my cruise down the Danube, my mother, unbeknownst to me, contracted pneumonia. I am not sure how that happens in the heat of summer.  I always thought that it was an in-the-dead-of-winter disease.  Of course, even though we texted back and forth during my trip, she didn’t mention that she wasn’t feeling well.  As soon as I arrived at Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C. on my return trip, I phoned her and immediately knew something was wrong.  She assured me that she was on antibiotics and was feeling much better.  Every day when I talked with her, she sounded better.                                                                                                                                                                   Then I made the long drive to Ohio.  It was good to be home, but very difficult to see my mother, who is usually full of energy and on the go, to be quiet and even lethargic. We had another trip to the hospital, new x-rays and more antibiotics.  And again she improved.  I have never spent so much time sitting around at home.  I did go to the grocery store and visit my Aunt Peg, but most of the time we spent at home.  On the final night of my visit, we had a birthday dinner and party for my dad, whose birthday isn’t until September, but we won’t all be home then.  My nieces and their husbands did most of the work of getting everything together.  I did do a few dishes!  A good time was had by all.  My dad and my mom were both happy to have everyone gathered together.  I am so glad I was able to be home and spend time with my folks, but it was a stark reminder of how fragile life is.                                                                                                                                                 The deacons preached this past weekend and each of them took a different direction.  Both said things I needed to hear.  Deacon Dave preached about being ready for the coming of the Lord.  When I saw my mother last week, the thought went through my mind that she will not always be around.  And then it went on. . . I will not always be around.  It would be easy to just get depressed, but Deacon Dave reminded me of the Christian call to live in hope.  Jesus is coming and we want to be found watching and ready. Deacon Chris in his homily asked, “What do you fear?”  And he reminded us of God’s care for us.  I know that I fear the loss of my loved ones and even my own death.  How good it is for me to be reminded that God is always there for us, and that Jesus tells us many times, “Do not be afraid; I am with you.”
Please, my Jesus, may I live in confidence and hope awaiting Your coming, trusting that you are there for me.                                                                                                                                                         Msgr. Cox
 Healing Peter’s mother‐in‐law, John Bridges 1839