As we move into this month of September, normal activities will begin to resume in the parish!

As I have mentioned, we have a new youth minister in our parish who is also the Coordinator of Faith Formation for the middle school and the Confirmation program. Andrew has spent the past few months reworking those programs, hoping to enhance the experience for both the catechists and the students. Over the past few years, this level has been rather shaky; Andrew, however, has come to us with experience and enthusiasm and already has made some substantive changes.

With that said, he has shared with me that he is still in need of some catechists for the 7^th and 8th grade level. He is committed to providing all the necessary support and materials for those who are teaching and will give hands on help.

Pat Conte is also in need of a few catechists in her well run program.

We all know the importance of passing our faith from one generation to another and it is the responsibility of us all. In this day when fewer and fewer young people are involved in the church, we need to make an impression on them early in their formative years. Witnessing to the faith in this way speaks volumes. Please take some time to consider sharing your faith in this way during the coming year. We already have a large number of catechists doing just that but we need more to make our programs effective. I am most grateful for their generosity and dedication.

We also have need of your prayers as we begin another year. Praying for these men and women; praying for our students; and praying for our church. May God bless us all during these coming months.