Pastor's Letter for the August 8, 2021 bulletin

You’ve seen a number of “thank-yous” throughout this bulletin for all who made last Sunday’s parish picnic a possibility and an enjoyable reality.  I wholeheartedly echo those “thank-yous.” God blessed our parish with many people – of all ages! – who were very accurate at hitting the dunk tank target!   

 

We ask the Lord to give us both healthy optimism and common-sense cautiousness about the direction of our community health circumstances with the COVID-19 variant.

On the one hand, we are continuing to restore activities that we enjoyed before last year’s lockdowns began in March 2020.  And, Bishop Monforton has reinforced that we would not have another closure to public Masses as we had last year.  On the other hand, we will continue to monitor the current spread of new COVID cases and understand if it becomes clear that a return to some forms of additional precautions is necessary. 

Regarding restorations, even this weekend we will enjoy the return of coffee and donuts in the Social Hall after the 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses at St. Benedict.  Next weekend, after all Masses of August 14th (after the 5:00 p.m. Mass) & August 15th, our Knights of Columbus are planning the return of another annual event, Sundaes for Seminarians.  I am looking forward to gathering again for a donut and some coffee this Sunday and to enjoying an ice cream sundae next Sunday (and Saturday?) to support the promotion and formation of seminarians for our Diocese of Steubenville.

Furthermore, please mark your calendars both for the date range for the photo directory sessions and for the upcoming sign-up opportunities.  We are planning for photo sessions on Wednesday, September 8th through Saturday, September 11th in the St. Benedict Church Conference Room (3:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday; 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Saturday the 11th) and on Tuesday, September 14th & Wednesday, September 15th (2:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) in the Sts. Peter & Paul Social Hall in Lore City.  Sign-ups for the photo sessions will be available soon, both in person after each weekend Mass and online.  The photo directory company has a very thorough protocol for cleansing and spacing between each photo session and for reviewing the photos after the sessions. 

Please mark your calendar for this year’s Mass of Anointing that we’re planning for Sunday afternoon, September 26th. When we get into September, we will be better able to clarify whether we will meet either in St. Benedict Church or in the Social Hall for that Mass.  There are advantages to each, bearing in mind accessibility and safety concerns.

Finally, please note that our parish’s Bereavement Haven group is meeting this afternoon (Sunday, August 8th) at 2:30 p.m. in the St. Benedict Social Hall.  All are welcome!

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!