Honoring Mary

05-03-2026Weekly ReflectionFr. Abraham Orapankal, Pastor

Dear OLP Family,

We know that May is the month of Mary. But did you notice that we began this month with the feast of St. Joseph the Worker on May 1? Why? Human labor is the means for us to sustain our life on this earth. Every year on May 1st, working people around the world join together for a day of remembrance and demonstrations. That is why May Day is also known as International Workers’ Day, a holiday celebrating workers and the history of labor movement.

From the Catholic perspective, human labor is one of the important means of achieving holiness. It was Pope Pius XII who instituted the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker in 1955, in order to foster deep devotion to Saint Joseph among Catholics, and in response to the “May Day” celebrations for workers sponsored by Communists. This feast extends the long relationship between Joseph and the cause of workers in the Catholic faith and devotion. Beginning in the Book of Genesis, the dignity of human work has long been celebrated as a participation in the creative work of God. By work, humankind both fulfills the command found in Genesis to care for the earth (Gen 2:15) and to be productive in their labors. Saint Joseph, the carpenter and foster father of Jesus, is but one example of the holiness of human labor.

Our greatest help to holiness comes when we gather for Sunday worship and welcome the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. This weekend is the celebration of our First Communicants Class of 2026 during the 10 AM Mass on May 2nd. They are: Louis Andreou, Penelope Masella, Aubrey Colon, Camila Morales, Emely Delgado, Valentina Mota, Christopher Hernandez, Jayden Quinones, Jake Larzaro, Xavier Sellona, Jaxon Lazaro, Jaylani Serrano, Adamo Lotrecchiano, Sienna Sieczkowski, Emma Manalo, Angelica Souza, Chelsea Manalo, Gereily Torres, Riley Manresa and Juliette Vargas. As we congratulate them, I wish to thank Candida Gonzalez the Religious Ed. Coordinator, their catechists Mrs. Barbara DeRollo, Ms. Kathy Kazary, Ms. Cecile Salcedo, and Ms. Dawn Aube who prepared them with great passion and commitment with the help and cooperation of their parents and Godparents. We need to nurture the faith formation of these children as we witness to our faith especially by attending Sunday worship regularly and growing in holiness.

Today our children remind us the importance of honoring Mary during the month of May by crowning her statue during our 12 noon Mass. May Crowning is a long-standing tradition with beautiful blossoms representing Mary’s beauty and virtue. It’s also a reminder to the faithful to strive to imitate our Blessed Mother’s virtue in our own lives. May Crowning, in some areas, is a huge celebration. The Catholic Church proclaims the great nobility of the Mother of Jesus, and presents her as the supreme model for all mothers. Next Sunday as we celebrate Mother’s Day, presenting all mothers on the altar, let us sing the beautiful song we sing or reflect on the lyrics: “Gentle woman, peaceful dove, teach us wisdom, teach us love.” Let us show our love and appreciation for all our mothers, and let us ask our Heavenly Mother to take care of our earthly mothers. We need to be persons for others, sacrificing our time, talents and lives for them, as our mothers are.

Happy Mother’s Day in advance to all Mothers! Blessings on all our labor!

Your brother in Christ.