We had another successful and enjoyable parish picnic last Sunday. God has been so good to us for He provided us with a beautiful day. Not too hot nor cold. Just enough to enjoy the day with the sun shining. We were so blessed!
The location was relaxing. Thanks to Jason and Jaime Renshaw and to their family, Bill and Judy Renshaw, for allowing us to use their property and facilities free of charge. We had a good turnout. More than two hundred people attended the mass and close to three hundred attended the picnic. The presence of Murphy’s Band added joy and fun to our celebration. People sang and danced. Thanks to Jim Caporali and his company for providing us music and entertainment.
The food was great—the pulled pork, grilled chicken and hotdogs which Bob Holbein, Dave Kradel and company prepared early Sunday morning in order to be ready immediately following the 11:00 A.M. Mass. The corn and fruits were sweet. Many desserts were also at the table. Thanks to those who took the time to prepare them.
I would like to thank the Pastoral Council, under the leadership of Bridget Fogarty, and the many individuals who helped setting up the place and the food as well. Everybody enjoyed the food, the location, the music and most of all, the company.
The children also had fun with the big rolled bales of hay and tire obstacle course at the back of the barn. Some played volleyball. Others just had fun running around.
We look forward to another year when we can celebrate our annual parish picnic. Thanks to our Blessed Mother for giving us the reason for our celebration. September 8th is significant for us. It is the day where our parish was first dedicated on the feast of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1831.
This Sunday, our Religious Education Program begins their classes for pre-school, kindergarten, and 1st through 8th grade. It is timely to begin because this week we celebrate Catechetical Sunday with the theme “STAY WITH US.” It is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each of us plays, by virtue of baptism in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel whether as a parent, teacher, catechist, priest or member of the Christian community.
May we have the zeal to take part in the mission of the Church in imparting our faith and giving witness, especially for our children and the younger generation. Their future begins through the formation we give today.