Dear Friends,

Two weeks ago, in anticipation of our Parish Day celebrations, the Deacons, Dave and Chito, in their weekend preaching, reflected on the role of Mary in our Christian life, and with them we prayed, placing ourselves and our Parish under the maternal care of Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. On the following Thursday, July 16, which was the actual feast day of OLMC, I remember beginning my reflections with the words, "The best experience I have ever had in life was in the hands of a woman !... And that woman was my mother"

Mary's simple fiat-"Let it be done to me according to your word"- opened the door for the Savior to enter the world. Mary in her various titles is the woman who gave birth to the Savior and, through the motherhood bestowed on her at the foot of the Cross, we are all her children.

Mary became a mother not only to John but, in the Church's understanding, to every beloved disciple of Jesus. She is a mother in faith. And like every good mother, Mary does not keep her children for herself. She always points beyond herself and says what she said at Cana: "Do whatever He tells you."

The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is also closely associated with the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a sacred sign of Mary's maternal care and a reminder of our commitment to imitate her virtues, live in God's grace, and faithfully follow Christ each day. Wearing the Brown Scapular is not a superstition or a guarantee of salvation, but a devotion that calls us to a deeper relationship with God through prayer, the sacraments, and a life of Christian holiness. If we wear the scapular, we should also try to wear the virtues of Mary: her humility, her obedience, her purity of heart, her courage, and her faithfulness to Jesus, even when faithfulness leads us to the foot of the Cross.

Sometimes our devotion to Mary is misunderstood. Some may ask, "Why do Catholics ask Mary to pray for them? Why not go directly to Jesus?" Of course, we can and should go directly to Jesus. Mary never replaces Jesus. She is not our Savior; Jesus is our only Savior. But asking Mary to pray for us does not take us away from Christ. It draws us more deeply into the communion of His family. If Jesus chose to come to us through Mary, we should not be afraid to allow Mary to help lead us to Jesus.

Instead of spending our time and resources on grooming harmful addictions which destroy our souls and deny us peace on earth and eternal happiness in heaven, it is better for us to develop a life which loves praying, especially the Holy Rosary, and become addicted to spending time in Eucharistic Adoration. A small prayer can begin a conversion. A small act of kindness can restore someone's hope. A small act of forgiveness can heal a broken relationship. A small "yes" to God can change the direction of a life.

Recalling our Parish celebration, let us entrust to Our Lady of Mount Carmel all our intentions, our families, our loved ones, those who are suffering, the sick, the poor, and those who have wandered away from the faith. May she wrap us in her motherly mantle, protect us from every danger, strengthen us in times of difficulty, and lead us safely to her Son, who is the source of our peace and salvation. May this annual celebration inspire each of us to renew our love for the Blessed Mother and to imitate her "yes" to God's holy will every day of our lives. Be blessed, safe, healthy, and happy.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Star of the Sea, pray for us.
Jesus, I trust in you.
Jesus, I trust in you.
Jesus, I trust in you.

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