Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All people
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Happy Continued Centenary!
What a great time we had last weekend!  Thank you again to all who participated at the Masses and the dinner.  It is a blessing for the whole community to gather and celebrate by first loving God through our worship and then growing in love of neighbor as we share together. 
Looking ahead to October we will mark a couple special dates.  October 12 is the anniversary of the first Mass celebrated as a parish.  It took place at the nearby Firestone Elementary School in 1919 since the church was not yet built.  After Masses that weekend we will give thanks to God in time of adoration and have Benediction. Then later on October 26 is the anniversary of the dedication of the new church.  On that Saturday (Oct. 26) the 4:30 Mass will use special prayers in honor of the dedication.  Afterwards we will dig up the time capsule that was buried 25 years ago and bring it to the PAC for people to examine its contents.  There will be some light refreshments as we continue to celebrate our history and enjoy fellowship.
 
Devotional Life
As part of the spiritual renewal, we always want to strive for growth in our devotional life.  Devotions may include a wide variety of prayers and ways of praying.  Some examples that are offered here at the parish are the Rosary Stations of the Cross, The Miraculous Medal, First Friday’s devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as well as Eucharistic Devotions on Tuesdays.  Not everyone can participate in these and it is good to foster a devotional life as a whole parish.  So following all the Masses (Sunday and daily) throughout this centenary year will be a devotional prayer.  It will change periodically to expose us to different prayers.  Appropriately we start with the St.Paul Prayer.  In October, as it is dedicated to priestly and religious vocations, we will pray for vocations using the Serran prayer.  In November we remember in particular the faithful departed so we will pray for the holy souls in purgatory.  For the Advent and Christmas seasons we will honor our Blessed Mother with a traditional Latin hymn.  In late January we will return to the St. Paul prayer since it will be our feast day January 25. February is dedicated to the married vocation so we will pray for the vocation of marriage and family.  In Lent and Easter we will honor our Lady with appropriate devotional hymns.  After that I do not know.  We have yet to plan that far out! 
Just in case some may be worried about adding extra time after Mass, fear not.  None of these prayers take more than one minute to pray.  It is good to foster parish devotional life that hopefully carries over into our home prayer life as well.
 
Coffee and Catechesis Faith Formation Returns
This Sunday from 9:30-10:30am in the PAC, we begin again our continuing formation as Catholics.  Check the bulletin for the full schedule of topics in the coming months.  Each week is a stand alone session. Of course feel free to come to all of them, but even if only a few, you will be glad you did.  While each week is different there will be a focus on Renewal (“Renovatio”) in the Church.  Please join us as we continue to be formed and renewed as disciples of Christ. 
 
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr