Thank you to all who made our parish picnic at Renshaw Farms successful and enjoyable. The beautiful place owned by the Renshaw Family just fit to the occasion. The weather was perfect. Lots of food was served including two pigs that were roasted. I think everybody was happy and got the opportunity to meet some of our new families and members of the parish. Overall, the parish picnic was well attended and great fellowship was enjoyed by all. Maybe we will do it again next year. Kudos to all of the volunteers, staff and some individuals who shared their time, talent and resources for this event.

This Sunday we celebrate Catechetical Sunday to acknowledge the importance of the Church’s teaching ministry and to honor those who serve the Christian community as catechists. Those whom the community has designated to serve as catechists will be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry.

Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.

If we take catechesis seriously, it actually begins at home. Parents are truly the primary catechists of their children. They prepare the soil and plant the first seeds of faith. They reecho the teachings of the Church and the gospel values to their children. And so, as we celebrate Catechetical Sunday, we not only highlight the work of catechists in parishes and schools, but we also commend parents and guardians and encourage them to take seriously their role of making their Catholic households a place where faith is passed on to the next generation. When we impart a strong faith foundation to our children, we can be assured that they will be good children in the future.

And so today we pray for all catechists, religious education teachers, parents, guardians and those involved in the ministry of teaching that God may bless them as they continue their selfless service in shaping the faith of our children. We pray also for our children as they begin their Religious Education.