Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

News and Notes:  Don’t forget the Summer Party in Our Lady of the Assumption Church Hall following the 4PM Mass at OLA next Saturday, June 27.  All are invited to this social to kick-off the summer season.  Looking ahead, some parishioners of OLA will be hosting a collation following the 10AM Mass at SMG on Sunday, July 5 to mark the feast of St. Maria Goretti, which falls on July 6.  Everyone is welcome to join us. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Donna Hegan as a part-time Pastoral Associate at St. Maria Goretti Parish beginning September 1.  Donna served as a Coordinator of Faith Formation in Grades 1-2 at SMG this past year.  In her new position, she will be recruiting and mentoring the Faith Formation team for Grades 1-6 at SMG.  She will also have responsibilities in the areas of providing adult faith formation opportunities, helping to train parishioners for their liturgical roles, preparing parishioners to give witness talks, and animating the social life at St. Maria’s.  Join me in thanking Donna for her willingness to serve St. Maria’s with such fidelity and devotion.  Here is the latest Catholic Appeal update:  as of June 9, 101 St. Maria Goretti families had pledged $23,570, which is 84% of the SMG goal of $28,078; and 199 Our Lady of the Assumption families had pledged $48,328, which is 87% of the OLA goal of $55,512.  Please make a pledge to the 2015 Catholic Appeal soon, and lend your support to important ministries in our local Church such as the Pastoral Visitors formation program for those lay men and women who extend pastoral care to the aging, sick and homebound in our parishes.  Here is a prayer of blessing for all our dads on Father’s Day:

God our Father, in your wisdom and love you made all things.  Bless these men that they may be strengthened as Christian fathers.  Let the example of their faith and love shine forth.  Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect.  Grant this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Blessings to all of you in the week ahead!