Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we begin our stewardship campaign. It is something that all the parishes in our diocese are doing together. There are some parishes that are struggling with finding volunteers and some are struggling financially too, and so this is an effort to help them. I would say as a cluster we are doing pretty well. We can always do more, and any additional resources either through people sharing their time or their finances would be put to good use. I think overall, this is an opportunity for us to grow in our understanding of stewardship. Each household is at a different place and able to give in different ways. The main thing is that we are taking time to consider how we give back to God from what he has given us, and that we try to do our part with what God has blessed us. I know some of you are already doing that, but perhaps others haven’t given it a lot of thought or consideration. In any given parish there is usually about a third of those who are enrolled as parishioners who do not actively participate or give financially to the needs of the parish. Once in a while there is good reason for that, but other times it truly is a reflection that a household is not actively living the faith. This is a great opportunity for each of to examine our own commitment to God.

Here are a few events coming up:

1. September 27 th after the 10:30 Mass there will be a rosary procession from SJ current site to the new church. This will be very similar in feel to the Eucharistic procession. I will not be here as I will be heading down to the cities right after Mass, but Fr. Paul will be present.

2. Faith Formation begins Wed. October 7 th . Class begins 3:30-5 PM for younger kids K-5, and 6:15-7:30 PM for older kids. There is a meal served in between at 5:30 PM. Please take time to sign up your students online. Note we are inviting parents to discern with their children when they would be ready to receive the sacraments. There are packets to help guide you in this available at the church, or you can go online to print your own copy.

3. I will be in Rome September 28 th -October 4 th for Zavior Franck’s deaconate ordination. Please pray for him as he receives this gift. Fr. Paul will cover the Masses while I am away. We will both be gone October 5 th -8 th for the priest conference, so there will be no daily Masses that Tues-Thursday.

Please keep praying for the SJ church project. I think we will be okay, but the timeline is a little tighter then I would like it to be. 

In Christ,
-Fr. Eli