We’re just a week away until this year’s parish picnic. Thank you, in advance, to our local Knights of Columbus, Council #1641, for doing so much for organizing this annual event. Thank you in advance to everyone who is preparing a salad or dessert, based on where your last name is in the alphabet. This year’s event will feature a couple of new activity items, including some additional “picnic games” (i.e. potato sack races, etc.) and – as you well know – the dunk tank! We’ll see how accurate you all are for determining if I get to stay fairly dry next Sunday afternoon or if I should wear some scuba gear for plunging into the water so often!
And, I am especially encouraged that the pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Egypt is now moving forward. We are planning for the journey to be Monday, October 11th through Friday, October 22nd, leaving from the Pittsburgh airport. The journey will begin in the northern part of Israel and visit various sites around that Sea of Galilee area, including Nazareth and the Mt. of the Beatitudes. We will be there for 2-3 days, then progress to the southern area including the Jordan River, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. After 2-3 days there we go to Mt. Sinai and then to Egypt. Our journey will of course emphasize places and events in Jesus’ life and ministry. But, we will also connect with places that are key to the Old Testament background and to the life of the early Christian Church.
“Follow the Blue Blazes” is an expression referring to the Buckeye Trail here in Ohio. We have many miles of this statewide trail that pass through Guernsey County. So, I would like to explore parts of this trail with our Holy Hikers group. Today (Sunday, July 25th), I would like to connect with part of the Buckeye Trail that meanders through Salt Fork State Park, on the eastern end of Salt Fork. As before, I plan to leave from the Gomber Avenue parking lot at 2:30 p.m. and arrive at a parking area along Parker Road, again, on the east side of Salt Fork Park. This parking area is close to U.S. 22, about ¼ mile in, on the left-hand side.
For the Franciscan University Summer Conferences, there is a free livestream this Wednesday, July 28th for Applied Biblical Studies Conference. Go to this link to register for this free event: https://steubenvilleconferences.com/events/abs/
This week’s presentation for that conference is by Dr. Scott Hahn (Fr. Jeremiah’s father) entitled, The New Exodus: Mark the Way of the Lord. Enjoy!
May the Lord help us to experience the transforming power of God’s mercy! May Our Lord help us to be always ready for the gift of eternal life in Heaven!