Dear Friends:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD: As I write this note to you, it’s Friday morning, Sept. 8th. Before Mass, I spoke early this morning with Fr. Peter Grace on the phone. He’s a good friend. He asked if I realized it’s the feast of Mary’s Birthday. Other than Jesus, it’s only Mary and John the Baptist whose birthdays are celebrated with a special Mass. Today’s celebration of Mary’s birth is connected with Mary’s mother, St. Ann. Peter is Pastor in North Carolina of St. Ann’s Church in Clayton. It was at the basilica of St. Ann in Jerusalem, which was built near what was believed to be the home of Joachim and Ann, that the feast of Mary’s Birthday originated about the year 400....