May 2025

St. Francis de Sales: Concierge of "Climate Change"?

by Fr. Michael S. Murray, OSFS



Veni, Creator Spiritus

by Elizabeth Connell Wright

On April 26, the world watched as those near and far said goodbye to a man who radically loved every one of God’ broken people. Embracing his simplicity to the very end, Pope Francis revised papal funeral rites a year ago, doing away with the tradition of burying popes in three nested coffins of cypress, lead, and oak. Monsignor Diego Ravelli, the Vatican Master of Liturgical Ceremonies, explained, “The simplification is meant to emphasize even more that the Roman Pontiff’s funeral is that of a shepherd and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful man of the world.” Pope Francis was the epitome of humility in his life as well as death, and while the papacy is not about power, it is about hope, powered by the light of Christ. Like a moth to a flame, Catholics and non-Catholic alike are mesmerized by the upcoming papal conclave. It is not just the shroud of mystery but rather the deep devotion of a tradition that has been passed to 266 men since Jesus, himself, chose St. Peter as the cornerstone.

On the afternoon of May 7, the conclave officially begins, and until white smoke emerges from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the eyes of the world will be upon it. In a world where news is instantly shared and privacy is increasingly threatened, the session shrouded in secrecy, reminds us that we are set apart; we, as Christians, as Catholics, are not of this world. We are also part of a rich tradition that surpasses all the fleeting pleasures of our culture of “instant gratification.” Over time, the process of selecting a pope, has evolved to reflect the sanctity of the Catholic faith, seeking to follow the will of only God in acting as the Body of Christ.

If you are an unmarried, baptized Catholic male, good news: you are eligible to be pope…but it is highly unlikely. The last non-cardinal elected to the papacy was Pope Urban VI in 1378, selected after a Roman mob surrounded the conclave and demanded a Roman pope be selected. Who the pope will be is with the Holy Spirit, but we all have a role. As members of the Church, the Body of Christ, we unite ourselves in fervent prayer with the cardinals and for them. Together we invoke the grace of the Holy Spirit to provide a pastor to lead us in this world — a world where we are called to love without bounds, to live as the hands and feet of Christ. We pray for a shepherd, a disciple of Christ, who lives these truths and guides us in navigating this world with endless compassion and humility.

The pope has not always been selected by a conclave, which is literally Latin for “with a key.” After our first pope, Peter, was crucified, Pope Linus was much less ceremoniously selected, followed by Anacletus and then Clement I, and so on for over a thousand years. In fact, until 1330, popes were elected either by a sort of crowd-cheering contest or by a group of clergy members in collaboration with influential families. In 1268, Clement IV died, and the cardinals faced a deadlock vote for three years. In frustration, the people devised a plan to lock the cardinals in the Palazzo dei Papi in Viterbo, north of Rome, until a decision could be reached. The cardinals were fed bread and water through windows and only reached a decision after the roof was removed to “let the Holy Spirit in.” Gregory X was finally elected in 1271, and it was he who formalized the conclave as part of the foundation of selecting a pope in 1274. Since 1492, the conclave has occurred in the Sistine Chapel.

Besides sequestering cardinals, the tightlipped secrecy that cloaks the voting is relatively recent. In 1799, Pius VI died as a prisoner of Napolean. In this highly charged atmosphere, cardinals felt it necessary to start burning all ballots, preventing them from being circulated and threatening any alliances. This practice evolved and in 1914, the election of Pope Benedict XV was the first to be announced with white smoke. This is a very recent development; to put it in papal perspective, the announcement of Pope Francis’ election was only the 10th time white smoke was used to announce a new pope. Pope John Paul II is responsible for many of the conclave regulations compiled in “Universi Dominici Gregis,” “Shepherd of the Lord’s Whole Flock,” which was issued in 1996. Pope Benedict XVI amended this to guarantee the absolute confidentiality of the conclave. Benedict revised it to state that anyone found to break the vow of secrecy would be subject to immediate excommunication.

At 10 a.m. (CEST) on the morning of May 7, 133 elector cardinals (under the age of 80) along with several of the other non-elector cardinals (there are currently 252 cardinals worldwide) will celebrate Mass “for the election of the Roman pontiff” in St. Peter’s Basilica. Later in the afternoon, all the cardinals present in Rome will assemble in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace before processing to the Sistine Chapel. They will sing a litany of saints as they process and once every cardinal is gathered in the chapel, they will chant “Veni, Creator Spiritus,” Come, Holy Spirit. At this time, the cardinals will each take an oath of secrecy with his hand upon the Book of Gospels. Once complete, the Vatican master of liturgical ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, will proclaim, “Extra omnes,” which is “everyone out.” At this, all non-elector cardinals will be dismissed, and the conclave will commence, with the cardinals being disconnected from all outside news and contact until the 267th pope is elected.

In the past, the first election was usually held shortly after the dismissal, but in the 2013 conclave, the first vote wasn't held until the following day. When voting begins, each cardinal will pledge, “I call as my witness Christ the Lord, who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who, before God, I think should be elected” before dropping their ballot in an urn on a table in front of Michelangelo’s fresco of “The Last Judgement.” A smaller urn is present for the votes of any eligible cardinals present at the Vatican, but not well enough to spend hours voting in the Sistine Chapel.

Counting votes is a meticulous process with defined processes in place to prevent any accusations of an unfair election. Before the ballots are tallied the ballots are counted to ensure they equal the number of elector cardinals. If they do not, that vote is invalidated, and the ballots are burned. Once it is determined the numbers match, ballots are counted by three “scrutineers,” who are randomly selected from the cardinals. The first opens the ballot and notes the name on a sheet of paper, the second notes the name again, and the third scrutineer announces the name for all to hear. After all ballots are counted, they are reviewed by other cardinals chosen by lot to ensure the accuracy of the count. Each ballot is then pierced with a threaded needle and then the ends of the thread are knotted together. The ballots and all tally sheets are placed into a third urn until they are ready to be placed in the Sistine Chapel’s stoves. Voting in recent conclaves has followed a schedule of two votes per morning and two each evening.

Generally, around noon (CEST) and 7 p.m. (CEST), the ballots are burned. Black smoke will billow from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney until a vote results in two-thirds of the ballots for one candidate (a requirement reinstated by Pope Benedict XVI). The conclave will run for three days of votes, if a pope is not selected by then, the conclave will pause on the fourth day for prayer and reflection. For reference, Pope Francis was selected on the fifth ballot (the second day of voting), but each conclave is unique, and anything forecast for this papal conclave is, of course, speculation.

Once a pope is elected, he is immediately asked “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?” If he accepts, the following question is “What name do you wish to be called?” There is no guidance around selecting a papal name, but traditionally the name reveals the direction of the new pope’s mission, many will choose a past pope who they emulate, wishing to continue their work. Others, like Pope Francis, chose a saint who guides their heart’s mission.

Now, at last, all watching the skies will be rewarded as the white smoke rises, the bells peal, and the cardinals sing the “Te Deum,” in thanks to God. The senior cardinal deacon, Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, will proclaim from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, “Habemus papam” (We have a pope). Not just the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, but all of the people who look to the pope as a light in the darkness, a beacon of hope, will celebrate a new chapter in a long, beautiful tradition giving glory to God through our Catholic faith.

Prayer for the Conclave

O God, we pray in union with the whole Church for the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Cardinals. Holy Spirit, we ask you to guide the Cardinals through the conclave and grant them wisdom, courage, hope, and charity. We pray that the Cardinals may listen attentively to you, and ask you to grant them the faith to discern your holy will.

Heavenly Father, we beseech you, protect and guide your Church during this conclave. Grant us, in your great love, a Pope who guides your Church to grow in faithfulness towards you. May he be a shepherd of profound faith and hope, leading your Church ever closer to you.

We pray, in Jesus' name, together with the intercession of Mary and all the Saints.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen.

Source: Ascension Press

Preparing for the Sacraments:

How We Can Express Love Through Ritual

by Phil Prinzivalli

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is asked which of the commandments is the greatest, and He cleverly responds with a profound but simple truth: We are all called to love God with our whole heart and love others as ourselves. This message is at the heart of what we teach in Faith Formation, and it is the lens through which we approach teaching the sacraments.

The sacraments are sacred gifts that connect us to God and to one another through shared faith. They are tools that allow us to express love through ritual. As Catholics, we are deeply familiar with ritual. It grounds us through repetition and brings meaning to our everyday lives. Whether it’s sharing a family meal, enjoying a morning cup of coffee, or saying evening prayers, these small rituals mirror the call of Christ to love. The sacraments are no different, particularly the ones we are encouraged to partake in as regularly as possible: Reconciliation and the Eucharist. 

Reconciliation often gets a bad rap for being the “scary” sacrament, largely due to the shame we associate with sin. We learn this from the story of Adam and Eve, who, after disobeying God, felt shame and tried to hide. But even then, God sought them out. That’s the message we want to give the children first and foremost: God loves us unconditionally; we do not ever need to hide from Him. Though sin may hurt our relationship with Him, nothing can place us beyond the reach of His mercy and forgiveness. God loves us, and we can reciprocate that love by seeking forgiveness, not just from God but from those we have wronged.

Explaining this to seven-year-olds though takes a little more show than tell. To do this, I use a simple demonstration with a bucket, a bin, and water. I start by asking who thinks they are the strongest kid in the room. Once we have a confident volunteer, I hand them an empty bucket, which represents the soul, and ask the child to hold it straight in front. As I pour cups of water into the bucket, I start listing sins, until the bucket is too heavy to easily bear, even for the "strongest" kid. I explain that like the weight of this water, sin weighs us down and impacts our relationship with God, with others, and with ourselves. Next, I instruct our volunteer to pour the water into the larger bin, symbolizing God’s mercy. The bucket is light again! The exercise demonstrates on a tangible level how we can free ourselves from the burden of sin by seeking forgiveness. It also reveals how we are weighed down when someone sins against us, but when we follow God’s example and forgive, our bucket (our soul) is light again.

Continuing to build off the foundation of the greatest commandment, we prepare the children for their next sacrament: the Eucharist. Here, we focus on two essential truths: Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, and Jesus is truly present within us. The first truth centers on transubstantiation. We teach that during the consecration, the bread and wine are not just symbols of Jesus, but they become Jesus: His Body and Blood. Not metaphorically or symbolically. Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist. To help children grasp this profound mystery of our faith, we introduce the idea of form and substance: what something looks like versus what it actually is. It’s not a perfect allegory but to help explain this we use water and its different states. Its substance is H₂O, but it can take different forms: liquid, ice, or steam. Though the form changes, the substance stays the same. With the Eucharist, the opposite happens: the form stays the same, but the substance changes. This is what makes it a miracle. It doesn’t transform; it transubstantiates. But it doesn’t end there! When we receive the Eucharist, we’re not only receiving Jesus, but we are also invited to be changed ourselves. Christ dwells within us, and we are called to go out and be Christ to others.

The second truth is that we are all a part of the Body of Christ, as the Church. St. Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, describes how the Church is a body made up of many unique parts, each one essential to the whole. During our First Eucharist retreat, we discuss how each of us is simultaneously unique in the eyes of God but also called to serve a greater whole. To reinforce this, we invite the children to participate in two hands-on activities. The first is banner making: each child creates a banner to hang on their pew during their First Eucharist Mass. These banners represent who they are in the Body of Christ and the gifts God has given them, encouraging them to see their own worth. The second is a service project: food packing with Helping Hungry Kids, a local organization supporting children facing food insecurity. It’s a tangible way for them to help their neighbors, living out the love they’ve been taught.

Ultimately, everything we do in Faith Formation is rooted in helping the children encounter the love of God in real and meaningful ways. We want them to see these sacraments as opportunities to connect with God, join in community with others, and find deeper meaning within themselves. When children come to understand that they are loved, they belong, and they have a purpose, faith becomes alive for them. Our hope is that as they prepare for their sacraments, they are learning not just about God's love for them, but how our Catholic faith calls us to live the greatest commandment each day: love God with our whole heart and love our neighbor as ourselves. This is what we hope they carry with them for a lifetime.

Post-Resurrection Déjà vu?

by Fr. Michael S. Murray, OSFS

Déjà vu is defined as the feeling of having experienced something before. There are at least three déjà vu moments in which the Risen Jesus helped people to recognize him in the wake of his Resurrection.

One occurred when Mary Magdalene finds the tomb empty. In her desperation, she asks a gardener (as St. Francis de Sales described him) if he knows what has happened to Jesus’ body. It is only when she hears him speak her name (something she’s heard before) that she recognizes Jesus for who he is.

On another occasion, Jesus joins two disciples who are making their way along the road to Emmaus. They are oblivious to who is walking with them. It is only when he breaks bread with them (something they have seen before) that they recognized Jesus for who he is.

In yet a third instance, some apostles are out fishing, but with no success. It is only when a person standing on the shore suggests that they try their luck in a different spot and catch more fish than they could ever have hoped to find (something that they had experienced before) that they recognize Jesus for who he is.

The next time we experience déjà vu, perhaps it is simply an occasion for our minds to play tricks on us. Then again, from a faith perspective, maybe – just maybe – it is the result of remembering the presence of something – or Someone – else.

Answering the Call

by Susan Infeld, RN

I’ve learned that when God wants to get your attention about something, He just keeps showing up.

As the youngest of five girls in our Irish Catholic home, I KNEW that I never wanted to become a nurse. There were already two nurses in the family, and I was desperately trying to carve out my individuality. That said, I read every one of the twenty-seven “Cherry Ames Nurse” novels before I was ten years old. So, it would appear at that young age that I was fighting a losing battle. Years, decades, rolled by yet our humorous, persevering God WOULD NOT let up on me and solidly affirmed the adage: “Make plans, God laughs.” So, after enjoying a successful career in advertising while raising two young children, I finally said YES to His call. What followed was humbling in every possible way. For example, I literally had shoes older than my peers. This was back when very few women my age returned to university, so there was no network of similarly aged mothers to share struggles with. The BSN program I entered was NOT easy and not convenient. But true to His word, doors opened when they absolutely needed to so I could continue my education while working and raising a family. After all, this was God’s plan, not mine. My journey through ER, corporate, surgical and hospice nursing eventually led me to the specialty practice of Faith Community Nursing, which became the culmination of my professional and vocational journey. This opportunity allows me to incorporate my skills and clinical experience with service in the church and in a unique way, to bring God’s love to his people.  

Over 13 years ago, a giant of a man named Fr. Tom Murphy, OSFS, made me an offer I couldn’t refuse: to serve as Parish Nurse at St. John Neumann. Here for the first time, I met St. Francis de Sales and was struck by how he drew me to Salesian Spirituality like the moon draws in the tide.  

Nurses are often called into intimate chaos, dealing with human tragedy and suffering, trauma, illness, addiction, and death. St. Francis de Sales reminds us of where we belong in this narrative; “Let the waves roar, let everything be in darkness, smoke, and uproar; God is here.” As nurses, we are called to respond to these challenging situations with gentleness and patience, to become witnesses to these moments as well as “The Lady (and man) With the Lamp,”* to assist patients and families as they navigate through the murk. The acts of presence, listening, reassurance, advocacy, clinical skills, compassion, information, support, and understanding, provide an “every shift” opportunity for our profession to “Live Jesus.” The Salesian values of respect for the individual and embracing diversity are at the core of how nurses deliver care to ALL individuals, regardless of personal bias or beliefs. 

The virtue of “optimism” is crucial when working with individuals and families at their most vulnerable times. It is the nurse at the bedside in the middle of the night who helps calm fears and guides patients to focus on hope and positivity. And right behind that is “joy,” elevating even small health successes and positive news to a celebratory level!

The profession of nursing and the vocation of nursing are intimately entwined. This week, I hope every nurse reflects on the privilege of entering people’s lives and values this work as “holy ground.”

This “National Nurses Week” I celebrate all my colleagues who have listened to their personal call to “Be who you are and be that well.” We all have our stories. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in our Salesian community. I thank God for not letting up on me, and thank Fr. Tom for being my teacher, my guide, my support, and most importantly, my friend; and all the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales that have also served at St. John Neumann Parish. That’s the Salesian way.

* Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing, was known as “The Lady with the Lamp” due to her routine of making rounds at night during the Crimean War.

The Great 50 days of Easter!

By Jean Lupinacci and Rose Bennett

The liturgical season of Easter lasts 50 days. That is longer than Lent! Yes, we fasted for 40 days, and now we feast for 50! Why is that? Well…Jesus’ resurrection deserves to be celebrated that long. Joy needs room to grow, and the truth of the resurrection takes time to sink in as we reflect on what this means to us as Catholic Christians. What happens during these 50 days?

Day 1 is Easter Sunday (April 20 this year), and it is what makes us Christian — Jesus comes alive, sin is crushed, and death is defeated — it is the highest holy day of the church year. Just like at other times of the year, we extend the holiday for eight days. The Octave of Easter is considered one long Sunday for Catholics where we continue to celebrate the joy of Easter. Each day is a solemnity with special readings and prayers focusing on the resurrection.

On day 8 we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday when we are flooded with grace according to Jesus’ message to St. Faustina. It is a day dedicated to reflecting on God’s infinite mercy as revealed through Jesus Christ. As we continue to mourn the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday we can look back and remember examples of how he lived out divine mercy: he washed the feet of marginalized people, emphasized forgiveness, and advocated for the poor. In 2015-16 we celebrated the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, as announced by Pope Francis. As a new Director of Faith Formation, I remember devoting all our weekly adult sessions that year to the topic of God’s mercy.

On day 40 (May 29 this year) we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, a holy day of obligation, when Jesus ascended to heaven but also promised to send the Holy Spirit. On day 50 (June 8 this year) we celebrate Pentecost Sunday when the Church is born. The Holy Spirit descended on the disciples who emerged from hiding and boldly preached as if on fire with living out the Gospel. We are also renewed in our discipleship.

The great 50 days of Easter is also the period of Mystagogy for those who are in the Order of Christian Initiation for Adult (OCIA) process. At the solemn Easter Vigil liturgy, those who have been preparing for many months are baptized into the Body of Christ, anointed with the Holy Spirit, and join the community at the Table of the Lord. Now, they enter the third and final period of OCIA, Mystagogy. They are now referred to as “neophytes.” In Greek, neophytos (literally "newly planted") was used to refer to a new Church convert. The title Neophytes suggests a new faith that needs tender loving care, feeding and water, and enough light. Hopefully, the roots of faith which were planted in the catechumenate support their continued growth.

Mystagogy means being introduced into a fuller and deeper understanding of the Gospel message and the experience of the sacraments. This happens through the neophytes’ regular participation at Eucharist. At each Mass, we celebrate the Paschal Mystery, the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Neophytes come to recognize that we share in that mystery. In our joys and disappointments, our suffering and our healing, our loneliness, and our togetherness, we begin to understand that in the end there is hope. Out of the myriads of mini tombs we encounter in our day-to-day lives comes new life and a new way of going forward in faith. We affirm the joy and hope of resurrection by bringing that new life to others. Pope John Paul II exclaimed, “We are a resurrection people and Alleluia is our song!”

We ask our newly baptized, the neophytes, to come to Mass each Sunday and sit together, adorned in their baptismal robes. They receive support and prayers as part of our community. We pray for them in the Prayers of the Faithful, and we rejoice in welcoming them as fully initiated members of the Church. At Pentecost, the formal period of Mystagogy ends but those newly baptized remain neophytes until the first anniversary of their entrance into the Church.

What does all this mean for us? Easter isn’t meant to be a one-day high. It’s a season meant to change how we live, pray, and see the world. Every time we feel stuck in our old ways, every time we forget who we are, and every time the news makes us feel like hope is too small — Easter whispers, He is risen and so are we.



Pope Francis

1936-2025

O God, from whom the just receive an unfailing reward, grant that Your servant Francis, our Pope, whom you made vicar of Peter and shepherd of Your Church, may rejoice forever in the vision of Your glory, for he was a faithful steward here on earth of the mysteries of Your forgiveness and grace. Through Christ our Lord.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

The Pope's Intention for

Prayer and Action for May

For working conditions

Let us pray that through work, each person might find fulfilment, families might be sustained in dignity, and that society might be humanized.

Current Mass Times

Saturday: 5 p.m.

Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. (Spanish), 5 p.m.

Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.

Monday-Wednesday-Friday: 12:10 p.m.

Watch a livestreamed or recorded Mass

Confession

No Confessions on May 10

Saturday: 10 a.m.-10:30 a.m. (English)

Sunday: 3 p.m.- 4 p.m. (Spanish)