Dear Parishioners and Friends, 

 I want all of our parishioners and readers to know that they are especially in my prayers at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. I beg your prayers and sacrifices for me and the parish.  More than ever before, we need a prayer army to assist in bringing souls to Christ.  Rise up O men and women of God! 

 Sunday, September 17th was National Catechetical Sunday. Our teachers of religion received a special blessing at the 930am Mass. Our children in grade school and high school have returned for another year of Christian formation.  We call this process catechesis, since our desire is to win hearts, minds, and souls over to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Holy parents are essential in the process.  As a parish we must commit ourselves to giving our all to the Lord’s work.  I am counting on each and every one of you.   

 This holy mission entrusted to us by the Lord Himself becomes more and more difficult. The culture we live in is gradually going in the opposite direction. In the official night prayer of the Church (Compline), I read each Tuesday a little excerpt from 1 Peter 5:8-9a: “Stay sober and alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, solid in your faith.” 

 I encourage all our people to pray the rosary as a Family. We should do this during October, the Month of the Holy Rosary. We should pray especially for the Church throughout the world during the October Synod on Synodality in Rome. 

 The Church instructs us that the four pillars of catechesis are Creed, the Sacraments, the Commandments, and Prayer. To be a well-formed Catholic means to study these areas according to the mind of the Church and put them into practice.  We are called to be men and women, imbued with the fullness of the Catholic Faith, who draw near Christ in the seven sacraments and prayer, and who obey his commandments.  This is what the Church has always taught; it will never change.  We thank God for those who faithfully hand on the Faith. 

 Those who for some reason have missed out on an authentic Catholic formation or who would like a refresher course should read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, available in the parish office for only $10.00.  You will be glad that you did.     

Yours in the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 
Fr. Mark G. Mazza, Pastor