Mark your calendars for the ordination of David Neuschwander. David will be ordained at Saint Patrick Parish on Sunday, June 2, at 4:00 PM. All are invited to the Mass that will be presided at by Bishop Christensen. Following the ordination all are invited to attend a buffet dinner that will be served in our parish hall. No reservations are needed for the dinner.

We will again have Mass on Memorial Day, May 27, at 9:00 AM. This will take place at our parish cemetery. (In case of rain it will be the church at 9:00 AM) Our parish cemetery is located on O’Keefe Road in Hudson. The Mass will take place by our columbarium. This will be a great chance to see the improvements that continue to be made around the columbarium.

Among the improvements is a new bronze sculpture that is the work of renowned Twin Cities artist Nic Legeros. He has other bronze works in the Hudson area, including at the Hudson Hospital, Saint Patrick Parish School, Christian Community Home, Saint Patrick Church, and Saint Patrick Parish Cemetery.

The new sculpture in Saint Patrick Parish Cemetery represents the Archangel Gabriel. In both the Old and New Testaments angels are spoken of on several occasions. There are classes of angels such as the Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones. But three angels are mentioned by name. Along with Gabriel, is Michael, who is referenced as the “enforcer” in heaven as he threw out Satan and the other angels guilty of pride. Also, there is Raphael, who seems to be the “guide”. He helped people on their safe journey through troubled areas to eternal peace, including babies who have died early in life because of abortion. Finally, Gabriel is the “announcer.” It was he who announced to Mary that she would give birth to Jesus.

In this sculpture, Gabriel is depicted as about to blow the horn to tell of the second coming of Jesus at the end of the world. Since this is a time we do not know, it serves as a reminder to us all that we must prepare!  Gabriel is standing on top of a rock (representing the world). The cross is fixed in front as a sign that our Christian faith teaches us about the death of Jesus which serves as a means for the atonement of our sins. The burial cloth hanging on the cross speaks to us of the resurrection of Jesus which proves He is God and powerful in His promises to us.

In totality, the sculpture is meant to speak to us that after the end of the world, our bodies will reunite with our souls. Then heaven will truly be the “place to be.” There we will experience only kind speech, beautiful poetry, and harmonious music. There will be no sickness or sorrow, only the eternal presence of God surrounded by His angels, who are pure spirit and in the order of creation are higher than humans for they have more knowledge and love of God.