Tag: Fundraiser

Around the Parish – September 10, 2023

Written by on September 9, 2023. Posted in Around the Parish, News.

Another year has gone by, and yet, every year we are always surprised with how fast time goes by. Tomorrow we remember again the attack on America. The remembrance of 9/11 is a solemn occasion that also carries a message of hope and resilience. On that tragic day, our world was shaken to its core, and we witnessed the worst of humanity’s cruelty. However, we also saw the best of humanity emerge in the form of countless acts of courage, compassion, and heroism. Firefighters, police officers, first responders, and ordinary citizens selflessly rushed to help those in need, showing the indomitable spirit of unity in the face of adversity. In the years that have passed, the scars from that day remain, but so does our commitment to never forget the lives lost and the lessons learned. The remembrance of 9/11 reminds us that even in our darkest hours, we can come together as a nation, support one another, and rebuild stronger than before. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a pledge to honor the memory of those we lost by continuing to strive for a more peaceful and just world.

On November 10, 11, and 12, The Divine Mercy Encounter Retreat Program will be hosting DME #106. In November of 2008, I participated in TEC 51, which is what DME is the spiritual successor of. This amazing weekend retreat lasts three days at Saint Joseph Church in Erie where participants encounter our Lord through His Invitation, Encounter, and Commissioning. Each day has a different focus: Friday is the Day of Invitation, focusing on how God is inviting us into relationship. Saturday is the Day of Encounter, where we encounter God through the sacraments, Adoration, and others. Sunday is the Day of Commission, where we as a community are empowered to evangelize and share our faith. The weekend includes talks, exposure to different types of prayer, Mass, community, and much more. The weekend runs from 10am on Friday to 5pm on Sunday, and retreat participants stay onsite for the weekend.

I look forward to this special weekend this November as I will be the main priest running the weekend with my home parish pastor, Father James McCormick. I encourage everyone to consider participating in this retreat! For more information visit https://divinemercyencounter.com

Here are a couple of thoughts for the week ahead: Archabbot Wimmer, the first abbot of Saint Vincent Monastery in Latrobe, PA had a motto of “Forward, always forward, everywhere forward!” This is an excellent motto for the spiritual life. Always look forward to the future with Christ, for He is already there, preparing for us the joys of Heaven.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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Around the Parish – September 3, 2023

Written by on September 2, 2023. Posted in Around the Parish, News.

The air is abuzz with anticipation as we gear up for the upcoming Second Annual Simply Sweets Fundraiser. Keep an eye on your mailboxes this week, for soon you’ll receive the forms that mark the commencement of this delectable endeavor. Join hands with us in support, ensuring those forms with payment find their way back to our parish office by October 9, 2023. Together, we can weave sweetness into our community initiatives. Thanks again to Mrs. Peck and her dedicated team for their outstanding contributions, crafting delectable treats that have become the cornerstone of this fundraiser’s success.

Today, following the 11 am mass, we extend an open invitation to all our students. Gather your cherished book bags and step into our sanctuary. Here, we’ll share a special book bag blessing, infusing the tools of knowledge with the spirit of learning given to us from God. Let this ritual guide you through the pages of wisdom that await.

Heartfelt gratitude flows to all who’ve embraced the convenience of Flocknote. If you’re yet to join this interconnected web, worry not. Registration details are still in this weekend’s bulletin and church entrances.

Our thoughts turn to the recent unveiling of the Diocese of Erie’s pastoral plan for Erie County. While our parish, county, and deanery remain unaffected, let’s embrace our fellow believers undergoing change. As we unite in prayer, let this serve as a reminder that change is inevitable. Yet, through proactive planning, we unlock potential for a brighter tomorrow. To explore these proposed changes, visit the Diocese’s website, and will be available on our parish website as well.

Pray for our students as well as their vocations. In a particular way, please pray for Parishioner Joseph Dumais who entered the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in New York City this past week. It is a special joy for a parish to claim a man as he studies and discerns religious life and priesthood. Please continue to remember him in your prayers in a particular way as you pray for more vocations to come forth from our parish community.

Here are a couple of thoughts for the week ahead: Don’t ruin a good day by thinking about the possibility of a bad day in the future. Just enjoy the present moment. Scars tell where we have been. They do not have to dictate where we are going. No matter who gives up on you, don’t you ever give up on yourself or God.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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