Thank you very much for both the birthday prayers & greetings and the prayers for a quick recovery from the bout with the delta variant. These past two weeks have had such a complete range of experiences and feelings for me personally, for many others in the parish and for our nation as a whole! What a great blessing to celebrate a birthday with a First Friday Mass this past Friday. In fact, my understanding is that my mother had attended a Mass on a First Friday back in 1965, and soon after the Mass concluded she went into labor. That means that the last umbilical nutrition I received from her was fueled by the Eucharist!
Please continue to keep our parish as a whole in prayer for all who have been affected by the recent delta variant. I can attest both to the efficacy of the medical therapeutics available, the professionalism of the medical personnel in our area in responding to this virus and to how deeply lousy this coronavirus can make a person feel! The whole process of healing from the virus, with the effects of the virus and the impact of the therapeutics and medical care, was profoundly humbling!
Please note three changes in some upcoming plans.
First of all, we are still planning to go ahead with the photo sessions for a new picture directory. However, the photo sessions have been moved to November to be sure we have sufficient time to promote the sessions, to conduct the sign-up process more completely, and to give parish households time to plan for the photo sessions. Two of the sessions are the week before Thanksgiving, which should give some households an opportunity for college students to be home for the sessions as well.
Secondly, we are not planning to have our Bereavement Haven group next weekend and this month. There are enough delta variant concerns to warrant waiting for October for the next gathering. For those who might have some grieving issues this month, please feel free to contact me so that we can connect you with the support you need.
Finally, the journey to the Holy Land and Egypt is postponed for a third time! At this point, we’re planning for June 13-24, 2022. The situation there is facing the double concern of coronavirus cases in Israel and Palestine and the threat of terrorism in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt.
Bishop Monforton has asked that we participate next weekend, September 10th/11th, in a national collection for the people of Haiti, to help with earthquake rebuilding needs. As you know over 2,000 people died and more than 10,000 people were injured in last month’s earthquake. We’ll have other details developing in the next several weeks for our parish’s connection with St. Elisabeth Parish in Caracol, Haiti, as well.
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!