As I mentioned last week, we will celebrate a Mass of the Anointing of the Sick on Tuesday, August 16th, at 1:00 pm. If there are any members of our parish community who are homebound and would like to receive the anointing, please make contact with the parish office. It is good for us to get to visit the sick a couple of times a year, and it is certainly best not to wait until we are in an end-of-life scenario. Similarly, we will be visiting our health care facilities and offering the anointing to the Catholic residents there as well.
On Thursday, September 8th, Father Bashobora, an internationally known priest and healer, will offer a healing Mass here. Fr. Bashabora travels all over the world preaching the Good News, sharing his deep love for Christ with others and delivering the Healing Power of the Holy Spirit to those in need. This will be a good opportunity to receive the graces of healing and reconciliation. More information will be forthcoming later.
As we are launching the 5:00 pm Sunday Mass beginning September 11th, we will be in need of altar servers, lectors, Ministers of Holy Communion, and screen operators, to assist us in the celebration of Mass. Please make contact with Eileen in the parish office if you are interested in assisting. As we are always looking for additional ministers anyway, if you are not already installed in a ministry, please let Eileen know. We will be holding training sessions early this fall.
As you know we presently have three active deacons serving our parish: Steve Scott, Richard Morris, and Paul Remick (who was ordained last year.) Deacon Ray Pelkowski (who turns 93 in a few weeks) is retired, and Deacon John Clymore is on a leave. We are happy to have Anthony Cullen now entering his second year of formation, hoping to be ordained in 2026. In September the diocese is offering information sessions for anyone who might be interested in serving the church as a permanent deacon. If this is something that you have been discerning or might be interested in receiving more information about, please make an appointment to see me. I will be happy to discuss the process and responsibilities with you.
Likewise, any young (or early middle-aged) men interested in a conversation about priesthood, I will be happy to meet with you as well.
It is that time of the year when we say “adieu” to the members of our parish community -- our families -- who are heading off to college. Whether for the first time or the last time, their absence in your homes and our church is a reminder for us to pray for them, their well-being, their safety, and their remaining steadfast in their faith. Negotiating the world of college is not always easy (maybe it's never really that easy) so this weekend we offer a prayer of blessing for all those who are leaving us to go to school. Please know that our prayers are always with them in their new adventures.
Further along in the bulletin is an explanation for college students as to how they can continue to be active in faith as they attend college. Every Catholic college, of course, has a campus ministry program, and ample opportunities to attend Mass and to be involved in service and ministry. All public colleges have a Newman Center, where Catholic students are able to assemble, meet other Catholic students, and also attend Mass, social activities, and engage in ministry and service. They provide safe places for students when they need assistance and a sense of familiarity. Also, all college students should be aware of the availability of services to assist during times of stress and uncertainty. Mental health issues are a serious social problem, and all colleges have services available. Please make sure that your children or grandchildren attending college are aware of all of these opportunities. Doing the research and becoming aware of these groups and communities yourself will be of great help to you as well.
Hopefully it will cool down a bit this week. I trust all of you are keeping safe during these dog days of summer.