Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

News and Notes:  Thanks to Donna Hegan (organizing), Michael and Lanae DiSilvio (coaching), and Knights of Columbus members Ken Kasprzak and Paul Petkewich (cooking) for their generous contributions to our first annual Softball/Cookout event at SMG on September 10.  On this beautiful late summer day, the Men’s Team (“the Saints”) and the Women’s Team (“the Angels”) treated their fans to a very entertaining game.  Then Ken and Paul used their master grilling skills to provide the hungry crowd with hamburger and hot dog lunch.  Many thanks to all those who assisted in this successful event in any way, including the softball players, the Kolenda family for donating Cornhole boards and bags, and our Facilities team of Dan Whelan and JJ Kenney for their “set up and break down” work with tables and chairs…we look forward to next year’s game! 

In the next few weeks, you will hear more and more about our upcoming Commitment Weekend, in which we will ask all families of the Collaborative to make their annual financial pledge to support the Mission of their respective parish.  This pledge should include not only ordinary operational expenses (employee salaries and benefits, supplies, maintenance costs, utilities, et.) but capital improvement projects that have been targeted for this fiscal year.  These projects include the heating pipes, sound system and Rectory stairs at SMG; and the Church and Office doors, sound system, and Office chimney repair work at OLA.  We are called to be good stewards of our Church personnel, buildings and grounds as a way of expressing our gratitude to God for all the blessings he has bestowed on us.  I can honestly tell you that I support both parishes financially as generously as I can; and I simply ask that you prayerfully consider your current level of financial support to your parish and increase it if at all possible.  As you know from your own household expenses, everything seems to get more expensive every year, and all we want to do is take good care of our people and property, and pay our bills in a timely and responsible way.  Thank you for giving prayerful consideration to your annual pledge to the Lord and his Church.  Blessings to all of you in the week ahead!