This week marks the beginning of a new school year. We have the Back-to-School Night for St. Benedict School tomorrow evening, Monday, August 16th in the Social Hall. The first day of school is Wednesday, August 18th. May the Lord bless all of us with the grace to “Do Small Things with Great Love!”
I’d also like to extend a blessing to the recent high school graduates of our parish. One of the things missed this past May and June with the more complete opening up was our annual recognition of recent high school graduates. This month is a time for new beginnings for them, whether beginning their studies in college or beginning to work full time. May the Lord bless them likewise with clarity in the path the Lord has for them and with protection for good and right decisions!
How about our October pilgrimage to the Holy Land?! I spoke with the pilgrimage organizer from Bethlehem (based in the Houston area now) this past Friday and he said on the one hand on a positive note, they had a tour group this past week complete a full pilgrimage with no problems. On the other hand, however, this week on August 10th, the travel status to Israel was changed to Red, Level 4, “Do Not Travel.” This is due mostly to the delta variant, which though they have very few cases in Israel, they are extremely restrictive now for prevention. And, another category of warning is at Yellow, Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution,” due to terrorism and civil unrest.
He said that although these warnings seem to change from week and though we might end up having the rare opportunity of having easier access to sites that are usually crowded, several parish groups have already shifted their pilgrimages to spring of 2022. I will update everyone after a round of consulting with those who have signed up.
Thank you to all who have participated in the DPSC and who have asked for clarification about directing some of the regular contributions through the DPSC. We will plan to include updates on the progress toward our 2021 DPSC goal in the finances and collection section of the bulletin starting next week.
And, next week, Sunday, August 22nd, I would like to plan another short trek of our Holy Hikers. I would like to follow through with last month’s plan to journey on a portion of the Buckeye Trail that passes through Salt Fork State Park. If you would like to participate with this, we have two possibilities for meeting. You could either meet me in the Gomber Avenue parking lot here in Cambridge at 2:30 p.m. for carpooling or to caravan or meet us there at the Group Camping Area parking lot at 3:00 p.m., which is located to the left on Parker Road about ¼ mile north of US 22. Parker Road is about ½ mile to the east of the main Salt Fork State Park entrance.
May Our Lord Jesus Christ help us to experience the transforming power of His mercy as He helps us to be always ready for the gift of eternal life in Heaven!