Tis the month of our mother. That’s the title of a beautiful old hymn about this month of May being dedicated to Our Lady. We here at Holy Rosary should have a special devotion to Mary. The daily rosary is one of the best ways to honor her, asking her to pray with us and for us. The rosary is recited here in church before the 10:00 Mass each Sunday morning.

A number of children from our parish helped us celebrate the annual May Crowning on Friday after the Noon Mass. This beautiful ceremony symbolizes the great honor we give to Mary, the mother of Jesus, truly then the Mother of God and Mother of the Church.

Hopefully, by the time you read this, the repair of water damage on the ceiling (from two years ago) and repainting the ceiling in church will be complete. We want the church to look great for the month of Our Lady, Queen of the Holy Rosary, and for the Italian Street Festival next month.

The Parish Council will meet this Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. And don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Italian Street Festival—Friday and Saturday, June 8 and 9, from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m. On Saturday evening, June 9, we will have two evening Masses. The Catholic Choir of Indianapolis will provide the music for both Masses. As usual, we will have the 4:30 p.m. Mass. Then the special 7:00 p.m. preceded by the outdoor street procession with the statue of Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary.

I am becoming more and more convinced that the only way we can get a moral or pro-life message across to the media and many others is by hitting them where it hurts—their wallets. The "culture of death" is continuing to spread its evil influence—thanks to the media as well as many others. One of these promoters of "the culture of death" is Planned Parenthood, our nation’s largest promoter and provider of abortions.

I recently read an article about how Target Corporation has stopped supporting Planned Parenthood. The company has not shifted its focus to a program for youth in cooperation with the Tiger Woods Foundation. We can express our appreciation to Target by calling toll free: 888-30-4000. I guess I’ll start shopping at Target again.

According to Planned Parenthood, corporate support is very important to them and to their evil mission. Although corporate support only amounts to 5% of their budget, the credibility of such endorsements bestowed was at least as valuable as the dollars given. They want to be able to flash those endorsements around to make it seem as if what they are doing is okay.

By the way, here are three more companies that donate to Planned Parenthood on a regular basis: American Express (I’ sure intend to leave home without it), Levi Strauss (Dockers, Brittania, and Slates clothing), and Prudential Insurance. I suggest we all let them know how we feel.

Along the same line, what about all of the immorality and violence on television and in the movies? I have heard some nitwits claim that all of this on television has little if anything to do with all of the immorality and violence in the world today. Their claim would be that what we see on the screen has little if any influence on what we actually do from day to day. Duh? Then why do companies spend billions of dollars on media advertising? Soft drinks companies will pay a fortune to make sure that, just for a second, Tom Cruise is drinking one of their soft drinks in his next movie. Aren’t they banking on the fact that what we see promoted on television, radio, or in the movies will affect our behavior? Think about it.

Many have commented about my statement last week concerning proper dress for Mass. I’ll repeat it here:

As we move into warmer weather, I think I am going to say something about proper dress for Mass. I am sure that there are some people who would like to dictate some sort of "dress code" for Sunday Masses. I spent twenty-two years as a Catholic School teacher or school administrator. I have enforced dress codes, determined dress codes, and fought people over dress codes. I have had enough dress codes! I also learned as a schoolteacher and administrator not to make rules that I could not enforce.

Let me simply say this: Imagine each weekend that your neighbors are watching you get into your car. If they cannot tell—by the way you are dressed—if you are going to Mass or to the church picnic—you are not dressed properly for Mass. It’s as simple as that. Our church is comfortably air-conditioned. There is no need to dress as if one is going to be spending time in the hot jungle.

Faithfully yours in God’s Providence,

Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel