Perhaps no man has influenced our modern American life more than Thomas Edison. He was both scientist and inventor, and with less than three months of formal education, he changed our world forever. Edison obtained 1093 U.S. patients, the most issued to any individual. His greatest contribution was the first practical electric lighting. He not only invented the first practical electric light bulb, but he also invented the first electrical power distribution company to light it up. Edison also invented the phonograph, and made great improvements to telegraph, telephone, and motion picture technology. By the year 1931, when Edison died, entire U.S. cities enjoyed electric power and lighting. Edison himself was awed at the way that his inventions had changed the world up until the day that he died. He saw great things happen. But he missed much more. How completely over-whelmed Thomas Edison would be today if he could see our modern electronics! Try to imagine what Edison would say about our televisions, our wireless computers and telephones, our laser equipment, and our music and sound technology. Wouldn’t it be a blast to take Thomas Edison into a Best Buy or Circuit City and just let him play around? Thomas Edison saw great things in his lifetime and was a part of making many great things happen. And yet, that was just the beginning. There was so much more in store.

From the very beginning of Mary’s life, things were also pretty extraordinary. Mary, from her first moment of conception, was kept free from all sin. For God to interact in the way that He intended to with His people, a sinless soul was going to be needed so that a sinless God could enter a sinful world to save its inhabitants. Growing up in the home of Joachim and Ann, Mary had a closeness with God that most of us can only imagine. The Angel Gabriel was right. Mary was blessed. After she was betrothed to Joseph, but before they were married, the Holy Spirit came upon her and she conceived the Son of God. She gave birth to that Son in a stable outside of Bethlehem. And the world and Mary would never be the same. She was there for the first miracle and many other miracles. And she was at the foot of the Cross on the day that He died. Like Thomas Edison, Mary would tell us that she had an extraordinary life. Her whole being proclaimed the greatness of the Lord! And she was grateful for what God had done through her. But even after her time in this world was over, the story continued. She continued and continues to be exalted. And two thousand years later, she continues to be the role model for what we are supposed to be as Church.

It was most appropriate then, that Mary’s Feast Day was chosen as the day for the first Mass at St. Maria Goretti. Ten years ago, some things were very similar to the way that they are today. It was cold and icy and very windy out here in this former soybean field. What is it with the wind out here, huh? At that time, over 500 people gathered in what is now our Parish Hall. And there was an air of expectation. We didn’t know exactly what God was doing. But we knew that God was up to something special and that we were grateful to be a part of it. Ten years later, we are amazed at what God has accomplished. We witnessed it. Many of us were here for it and it happened right in front of our eyes. Sometimes, it happened through the work of our own hands. First there were a couple hundred families. And then all of a sudden there were several hundred families. And then there were a thousand families. And then we moved into this place. And now there are a lot more of us. Slowly but surely, the Kingdom is being built.

We pause tonight to give thanks and praise to the God Who made this happen. But this is not an ending. This is not a, “let’s pat ourselves on the back” and now just coast along, kind of night. The story isn’t finished, it’s just getting started. And we all get to be a part of it. And just as Thomas Edison and Mary would be amazed after their time in this world was over, so too we are going to continue to be amazed at what God will do with this former soybean field. The possibilities are endless. Who knows how many souls will be saved? Who knows how many saints will be produced? Who can guess at how many priests, and sisters, and brothers, and deacons, will come from this family. The possibilities are endless.

But tonight we pause. And we shiver. And we eat some cake. And we dream of all of those things that we had a hand in getting started, but that we will never see all the ramifications of. God is good all the time. Just like ten years ago, may we put our Faith in Him just like Mary did. May do His will with charity and obedience just like Mary did. And may we stay close to Him by our prayer as Mary did.

Let us enjoy this Feast and Anniversary!

May God bless us, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit… AMEN !!!

St. Maria Goretti… Pray for us !!!