Lots of Congratulations

02-09-2020AllFr. John Barbella

Today we have whole bunch of people to congratulate. Last Saturday almost 60 children-mostly-second graders, made their First Confessions. It was a pleasure for me; and I’m sure for Fr. Pat and Fr. Wojciech, as well to help them experience God’s healing mercy in this Sacrament.

Thanks to our Religious Education Director! Mrs. JoAnn Scott, our Principal, Mrs. Donna Kucinski, and the CCD and Catholic School teachers who helped the children get ready for their First Confession. Thanks also to those parents who first shared their Faith with their children. Let’s pray for the children as they intensify their preparation to receive Jesus in First Holy Communion this spring.

Congratulation are also due to the nearly ninety 8 th grade & high school students who received the Sacrament of Confirmation on Friday evening. I had the pleasure of teaching a number of them in class, and leading the retreat for even more of them. It was a pleasure to do so. They are a fine group of young Christian men and women, and our parish has reason to be proud of them!

My special thanks go to Mrs. Cindy DePillo, our Confirmation Co-Ordinator, for keeping on top of all the details that go into a good Confirmation. Thanks again to Mrs. Kucinski & Mrs. Scott and especially to our Confirmation teachers who did so much to help our newly Confirmed parishioners deepen their Faith in Christ. My prayer is that as these young Catholics go through life, they will build an even deeper and life-giving relationship with the Holy Spirit they received.

Speaking of fine young Catholics, two deserving of special congratulations are Lianna Krouse & Mark Luke Gural. They received the St. Timothy Award from our bishop on Saturday morning. This Award is given to high school juniors & seniors who live as disciples of Christ and give witness to their Faith in Him. Both Lianna & Mark Luke do this in several ways. Not only have they served Mass for years, they also help lead Children’s Liturgy of the Word-Sharing God’s Word with our younger parishioners. They have helped at Vacation Bible School and have gone above and beyond in demonstrating their Faith in Christ to their peers and our entire community. Congratulation to them and their families!

Finally, I want to congratulate the Scouts who received their religious medals at Mass last weekend. Jack Janowski, Maxwell Alexander, Robby Basel, Karina Dantinne, Kennadie Rutan, Gino Siano, Colton McGregor, Lorenzo Oakes, and Eli Mercade, received the Light of Christ Medal, while Alex Dantinne, Olivia Marchetti, Gianno Siano, Keith Reichard, & Thomas O’Brien received the Parvuli Dei. All of these Scouts completed a number of requirements established by the Catholic Bishop’s Conference in order to receive these awards. Again, congratulations to all of them!

Believe it or not, I didn’t watch all of the Super bowl last Sunday, opting instead to go visit my mom and have dinner with her. It was great to see her and have a quiet dinner in her new home. I’m writing these words after returning home to the rectory last Sunday evening, with the last quarter of the game on the TV in the background!

Included in this bulletin is an insert about Mass Intentions that I would ask everyone to read. Our parish is blessed to have an abundance of requests for Mass Intentions –so much so that we have nearly filled the current year’s Mass book and have a backlog as well. The insert outlines some steps we are taking to make Mass Intentions more available to our people who do a truly good and holy thing in requesting that Masses be offered for their loved ones.

Please say a Hail Mary for me and know that I pray daily for you. Let’s also say a prayer for peace and for all those whose lives have been upended in our often crazy world.

Have a great week!

Fr. John