Dear Parish Family, Among the many quotes we have from Bishop Fulton Sheen is “Humility is a virtue by which we recognize ourselves as we really are.” I can’t help thinking about this as I reflect on the homily Deacon Brian gave a few weeks ago on “True self – False Self.” This is a subject that Fr. Stanley has shared throughout his ministry. Who we really are or who do we think we are, may certainly differ from who we project we are! Is this a reminder to be authentic and genuine? False pride has a way of raising its ugly head and sending messages which can often alienate others. Bishop Sheen was born in a farming community in Illinois and professed from early childhood that the only thing he ever wanted was to join the priesthood. He became a great scholar, educator, orator, and evangelist. He became a pioneer on radio with his weekly talks on “The Catholic Hour”. He preached the Gospel and how it applies to personal moral issues and other great social issues of the time. He was the homilist on the very first broadcast of a Catholic service on television. Ultimately his “Life Worth Living” program had a viewing audience of 30,000,000 viewers each week. He led people to convert to Catholicism including Henry Ford II. Above all, he popularized the practice of a Eucharistic Holy hour every day. He prayed this throughout his life until his death in 1979. Bishop Sheen began his formation as an altar boy at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria, Illinois and this is now his final resting place. As we in the Archdiocese of Detroit continue to Unleash the Gospel, it is easy to identify as Bishop Sheen did the need for evangelization, and Eucharistic prayer. He shared “Our happiest times are those in which we forget ourselves, usually in being kind to someone else. That tiny moment of self-abdication is an act of true humility: the man who loves himself finds himself and his true happiness.” May our loving God bless you! Mary Jo