Dear Parishioners,

I am sensing a movement of the Spirit and enthusiasm at work in our parish. I’m seeing more people and families at Mass. Our Religious Education program is growing. We are going to start a Junior High youth group this fall. Our OCIA group has 8 active members. And there is a lot of enthusiasm around our proposed “Restoring Beauty” project. Our parishes have become “One Parish” which will be formally inaugurated in October and we will be presenting a five-year Pastoral Plan at that time as well.

I am also encouraged about what is happening with the Eucharistic Revival as I have shared about my experiences at the Eucharistic Congress that took place in Indianapolis in July. I believe the spiritual energy and enthusiasm at the Congress will bear fruit in our parish and in the rest of the country for years to come.

We are entering in our third year of “Faith Night” starting Wednesday, Sept. 11. Faith Night has become the foundation of our Sacramental Prep, Religious Ed and Adult Education programs. It is a goal to have something for the whole family. We start with confessions available at 5 pm, Mass at 5:30 pm, a community dinner at 6 pm and the programs from 6:30-7:30 pm.

For the Adult Education program this fall, we are going to start with a series of video episodes called The Search on Formed. The Search leads people to the deepest questions of the human heart, exploring the meaning and purpose of life with a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating approach. As an evangelization series hosted by Christ Stefanick, The Search guides viewers through a crescendo of seven episodes examining life and death, sorrow and happiness, and science and faith. Astrophysicists, psychologists, astronauts, neuroscientists, professors, athletes, artists, and the beauty of the cosmos all pint to one big conclusion: Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. The video episode each evening will be followed by a group discussion.

After the seven episodes of The Search, we will present a book study with Word On Fire’s “An Introduction of Prayer” by Bishop Robert Barron. Pope Francis has designated 2025 as a Year of Jubilee, and in preparation for that celebration, he has, in turn, designated 2024 as a Year of Prayer. It is in response to the pope’s call for renewed catechesis on prayer that Word on Fire presents this small collection of texts from Bishop’s Barron’s writings and talks.

Please consider attending weekly Faith Night with your family, or on your own, to continue to grow your faith alongside others. We will kick off this year’s Faith Night with a parish BBQ potluck and program orientation on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 6 pm. Please join us!