This weekend begins our religious education classes for the year. The Sunday morning students will be sent forth to their classes after the nine a.m. Mass. The Monday and Tuesday afternoon students will begin the year with a prayer service and then likewise sent forth. Our middle school and confirmation students are likewise in the process of beginning.

We ask that you keep all the students, catechists, and helpers in your prayers over the next few months as they come to know God and His love on a deeper level.
Many thanks to all those who are involved in this important ministry in our parish. May God bless them all!

The church in our country is preparing to welcome Pope Francis for the first time! There are many news stories these days about heightened security and all the steps our government is taking to safeguard his visit.

There is much speculation about what Francis will say and how he will approach our culture of affluence. In spite of his obvious preference toward the poor and marginalized, he has been quoted as saying that he has warm feelings about America and the faith of our church. That is also the experience of all the African priests that we have hosted over the years. The worldwide image of American Catholicism often is not reflective of the real life experience of people of faith in this country.

With regard to what the pope will say remains uncertain. But one thing we know is that he is coming to us just before the Synod on Family Life and he has demonstrated consistently his pastoral approach to the struggles of living our faith from day to day. I am sure that his overall message will be a compassionate and caring one for us.
May God safeguard his journey and bring the message God wants us to hear from his lips!!!