Dear Parishioners,

I just have a few short updates for this week.

• Youth group. We have made great progress in planning the Youth Group for this year. I have received some help from some great volunteers from Couples for Christ who have lots of experience in starting Youth Groups in other parishes. The plan is to have a Youth Mass on the 1st Sunday of every month at the noon mass. Afterward, we will have a meeting (location TBA). The group will be for children from 7th grade and up and it will emphasize personal holiness and leadership. The first time we will get the youth band to play is the same day as the parish picnic on September 30th. Then we will meet at the normal 1st Sunday time starting in November. If you are interested in helping or have children who would like to join, feel free to contact me.
• Parish Picnic. We will be having our parish picnic on September 30th. I would like to thank Kathy Houston, the Knights of Columbus and so many others for working so hard to make sure it goes well. At the picnic will be food, fellowship, music and fun. So, if you would like to volunteer in any way, please let me know.
• Bible Study. As I mentioned before, we are beginning the new Bible Study based on John Bergsma’s “Bible Basics for Catholics” this Monday. That group will meet at 5:30 pm in the conference room of the school. If you are coming, please read the first chapter of the book ahead of time. Also, we will have another Bible study group meeting at 7 pm on Mondays starting September 24th run by Carol Donofrio. So, if you prefer a later time slot, feel free to come to that one instead. The book is available in stores and online.
• Reading Group. We are also beginning a new book for reading group this week on Thursdays September 20th in the conference room of the school. We will be discussing “Rediscover Jesus” by Matthew Kelly. The Reading Group is a bi-weekly meeting where we talk about books on the faith. “Rediscover Jesus” is a very simple book that I think will be really helpful for those who want to understand what our faith is all about: Jesus, Our Lord. All are welcome to attend.
• Day of prayer and fasting. Our bishop has asked every parish to pick a day of prayer and fasting in reparation for the sins of the clergy for the recent scandals and failure of Church authorities in not addressing those scandals. I will write more details about this in an upcoming bulletin letter. But, just to let you all know I have picked October 11th to be that day. We already have adoration all day. But, I plan to have special prayers throughout the day and have a special meditation at the end of the day for the conclusion. I encourage and request everyone to do some sort of penance that day even if you cannot make it to the chapel. But, if you have never been to adoration on Thursdays, I think it is a wonderful habit to start. So, if would be wonderful if you can make the time to be with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at my email toddcarterpriest@gmail.com.

God bless,

Father Carter