Laudetur Iesus Christus! Today July 9 is the ancient feast day of Ss. John Fisher and Thomas More.  St. Thomas Aquinas parish will offer a 7pm votive Mass (High) this evening to commemorate this feast day, commemorating these saints who refused to comprise the Catholic faith even when the government insisted. St. Thomas More’s story was re-popularized in the modern era in the 1960s film A Man for All Seasons.

No Latin Mass at St. Mark for the next 3 weeks:  Tomorrow Friday 10, there will not be a 12:30pm Latin Mass at St. Mark parish in Huntersville for the next three weeks. Tomorrow is a priests meeting, and then the next two Fridays (July 17 & 24) will be the diaconate and priestly ordinations for the diocese – both held at St. Mark. The next Latin Mass should be Friday July 31. St. Ann will still offer a 7am Latin Mass tomorrow.

Traditional Confirmation Mass this Sunday at 12:30pm: As noted, His Excellency Bishop Jugis will visit St. Ann this Sunday to administer the sacrament of Confirmation in the traditional rite. We have also learned that additional opportunities for Fr. Reid to offer this sacrament at other Masses/times will be provided this weekend. This means that that seating may still be limited, but hopefully not as crowded as initially thought. You still may want to prepare to sit outside. If people have more tents to bring, that would also be helpful. If we hear any updates, we will let you know by Saturday evening.

Liberty of Military Catholics to attend Mass: Since today we honor Ss. John Fisher and Thomas More who are patrons of defending the Church’s liberty, we wanted to share with you some good news as the U.S. Navy has recently reversed its bizarre decision to prohibit personnel from attending indoor worship services over COVID-19 concerns: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/victory-us-navy-reverses-unlawful-order-banning-troops-from-indoor-mass-religious-services  (While the Latin Mass is still uncommon in the Military Archdiocese, more Catholics serving in the armed forces are slowly discovering it).

Life of Blessed Franz Jèagerstèatter:  Sensus Fidelium is also recommending a book of another saintly man, Blessed Franz Jèagerstèatter who was drafted into the German Army in World War II and refused to sign an oath to the Nazis. He was martyred for standing up for his Catholic belief. There is a book and sermon about him here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/087243141X?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Sermon by a traditional priest (in another diocese): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVEZ1oC5Rv4&feature=youtu.be