Wonderful beginnings start with a smile.
It is these beginnings that I experienced during my first weekend at St. Peter’s which was, indeed, a homecoming for me. It was wonderful to see all of you, some of you that I have not seen in many years. I loved seeing your smiling faces and meeting some
of you for the first time. I believe that in His ministry, Jesus experienced a similar thing. How many people were greeted by the smile of the Lord? How many people smiled back and began a friendship with Jesus? How did seeing the smile of Jesus bring people joy and peace?
St. Peter’s has as its patron the Prince of The Apostles, the First Pope of The Church. Peter was formerly ‘Simon’ but, after Jesus founded His Church on the rock of Simon’s faith, Jesus gave Him a new name which means ‘The Rock.’ Simon’s new name,
‘Peter,’ reflected his new position as the one whom Jesus would entrust with leadership of the Church after His Passion, death and Resurrection.
During my time as a young person in religious education here, I chose the name ‘Peter’ as my
Confirmation name. I chose this name to reflect my membership in this parish and because I admired St. Peter’s faith. It is amazing to me that God has brought me back here, to the parish that bears St. Peter’s name.
Prayerful devotion to the saints provides us with their intercession. This intercession gives us God’s graces which we need to grow in holiness. As a parish family, let us together frequently ask for St. Peter’s intercession and heavenly protection. May St. Peter, the Apostle, obtain for us all the graces we need from God to grow closer to Christ in faith, hope and love.