(To read the Sodality Newsletter in PDF format, click here).
Dear members and friends of the Sodality of Charity,
In June, some of our Sodality members hosted the annual SGG Girls Camp, thus continuing the work of Ms. Sharon Patton and Ms. Michelle Mikesell. We had 34 girls attending, plus couple of older girls who came and volunteered to help at the camp. Thank you to the camp committee for arranging everything. Part of the success was that this year the girls did actual camping on the church premises, after a few years’ hiatus, and in this way were able to spend much more time with each other.
This year each of the older attendants was in charge of her own group (with their individually colored scarfs). This gave a great opportunity for the older girls take to care of the younger ones, and to see that everyone had fun.
Other camp activities included a baking contest, which was judged by Fr. McGuire and myself, and the puppet show, which was presented to the parents and families to end the camp.
You can see some of the fun activities of the camp in the photos in this newsletter.
Earlier in June we also celebrated the graduation of some of our members. Claire from St. Gertrude the Great School graduated from the 8th grade, and our home-schoolers Cora, Renee, and Cecilia graduated from high school. Congratulations to all our graduates.
June 28 was the golden (50th) anniversary of ordination of Fr. Peter Morgan. He was the first priest Archbishop Lefebvre ordained for the SSPX in 1971, and he was also the first District Superior of England. Fr. Morgan had big influence on Fr. Daniel Dolan, and this way to the whole future apostolate of St. Gertrude the Great. Fr. Morgan was the one who developed the idea of Mass centers, independent from the modernist Bishops, where a priest would arrive to celebrate traditional Mass and give sacraments to the faithful.
June 29 was the 45th ordination anniversary of our pastor, Bishop Daniel Dolan. After his ordination in 1976 he spent some time in England, helping and learning from Fr. Morgan. Fr. Dolan would have been happy to stay in England, but the superior of the SSPX in USA left the Society, and Fr. Dolan was called to serve in America. And when he arrived here, he followed Fr. Morgan strategy, establishing missions all over the country, including that of St. Gertrude’s in Cincinnati in 1978. So you see, our parish and our traditional families are in great gratitude to Fr. Morgan. This priest still operates his small independent mission in England.
You can read the whole story from Bishop Dolan’s interview from 2008, which was made by Stephen Heiner.
I will say the Mass for the Sodality members on July 7, First Wednesday of the month. Pray to St. Joseph for the intentions of our group and our families. Remember also July 6, which is the feast of St. Maria Goretti, that sweet and glorious martyr of purity and humility.
Our Sodality summer meeting will be on Saturday, July 24, after the second Mass. More detailed program will be posted later.
Yours in Christ and Mary,
Fr. Lehtoranta
