Last Sunday we held our annual Parish Picnic. For the eight year in a row, it was a glorious day: comfortably warm, no humidity, and clear blue skies. About two hundred and fifty people from our three communities attended. Fr. Adriano from the Brazilian Community concelebrated the Mass with me. Celebrating that Mass is always a highlight in the year. All kinds of delicious food was served–even Malassadas from the Portuguese community! We had games for the children, a fifty-fifty raffle for everyone and an afternoon of conversation and conviviality. Overall, it was a celebration of who we are as a parish community.

A special thanks goes out to all who worked hard to make that possible: Jim McKenna and St. Michael’s Men’s club; members of our youth group; the wonderful music ministry form our parish and a musical youth group who provided live music for the rest of the afternoon; and all who brought salads and desserts. And of course, the many local merchants who offered the financials which made the day possible. Looking forward to next year!

This is Fr. Simon’s last weekend with us. He will be returning to Africa and his teaching ministry. I know that he enjoyed the many facets of his stay with us and returns home with many good American memories.

I am personally grateful to him for all the help and assistance he offered to me over these past couple of months. The time has flown by as usual but it was been a pleasure to have him with us and we wish him Godspeed and safe travel as he heads back.

As we observe this Labor Day weekend, and the unofficial end of summer, I hope the weather holds for a while and you enjoy these remaining days.