I am away on vacation this week, returning late Wednesday evening. I think we are in good hands with Fr. Jery and Fr. Bobby covering the parish.
I offer a word of thanks to all who made Cardinal Fest such a success last weekend. We had perfect weather, the best crowds in memory, and a fun event without any hitches. Thank you to the dozens and dozens of volunteers who made this happen!
This weekend we are showing our Synod Video, produced by the diocese. The video will explain what a synod is all about and tell us about our upcoming diocesan synod in the fall of 2026. We last had a synod in our diocese in 1926. This will be a 100th anniversary event.
Many have already received Annual Bishop’s Appeal pledge cards through the mail or by e-mail from the diocese. Next weekend will be our Annual Bishop’s Appeal pledge weekend in the parish. We will offer a few words about the Bishop’s Appeal and invite people to fill in the pledge cards in the pews. There will be no video this year. If we show videos two weeks in a row, we’ll start to expect a movie every week.
On Wednesday morning we will offer coffee and donuts in the Community Room after the 8:15 Mass. Come and enjoy some time with the others who worship around you.
On Thursday we will have Adoration in the church through the school day. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed after the 8:15 Mass and we will conclude with Benediction at 2:25. Everyone is welcome to come and spend some quiet time in the church.
Finally, mark your calendars for a very interesting evening on Thursday, October 2. We are invited to meet at Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren at 7 p.m. The pastors there will offer us a tour of the church, a description of their Sunday worship, some history of their Anabaptist roots and traditions, and a chance to ask questions and learn about the lived faith of some of our Protestant neighbors. Their choir will present some of their worship music and invite us to join in singing. Previous visits to a Greek Orthodox and an Evangelical Lutheran church have been fascinating opportunities to learn and to offer prayer with Christians of other traditions.
