Beloved Family:
Lift high the cross! For Catholic disciples, this is far more than the title of a hymn we sing. The calendar has provided for us to celebrate the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross on a Sunday. Paired with last weekend’s gospel—super strong words from Jesus (some might even say “harsh”) about who can and who cannot be his disciple— we have clear marching orders on the cost of really living our Faith. To put it briefly: there is no triumph without trial.
I cannot personally remember a year when the weather for Fair Week was more consistently delightful. About seventy people came together on Sunday morning for a Mass at 7 am. Based on the lively participation of the resident roosters in the event space, we may have a few feathered creatures in OCIA this year!
I can imagine that even under great conditions, the high level of time and effort put into participating in such an event leaves a lot of people— including young people— experiencing some cumulative fatigue. A well-earned exhale may be accompanied by the thought: “Well, I can relax now.” Surely, we do not fault anyone who experiences a bit of letdown after the fair. However, in terms of parish life, we are definitely gearing up for greatness.
As a further reminder to ALL, this Wednesday is the kickoff gathering for Faith Formation in the parish. Our guest presenter, Mr. Greg Coogan, serves in the Diocese of Cleveland as Secretary of the Office of Catechetical Formation and Parish Life. The following appeared in an article in 2019, when Mr. Coogan first entered service in our diocese:
Coogan carries with him significant experience in the field of youth ministry having coordinated young adult ministry for the Diocese of Buffalo as well as holding several other youth ministry positions at the parish, high school and university levels. Coogan holds a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies degree from The Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C. and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/Urban Studies degree from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. He also earned a Certificate in Philosophical-Theological Studies from St. John’s University in Jamaica, New York.
This event is truly intended for all parishioners. Wednesday will now serve as a “hub” for faith formation in the parish. This includes our fall Adult Faith Formation series, entitled “Given Up for You: Becoming a Gift to Others,” bringing together a line-up of dynamic presenters over a series of seven weeks, beginning Wednesday, September 24. The new start time on Wednesdays is 6:30 pm. Childcare will be offered as a standard feature, moving forward. That is a major effort, if it is to be sustained. So, those of you “out there” who are listening for a call to service, please consider being part of that childcare team.
Each Wednesday will culminate with gathering in church for Night Prayer at 8:15pm, in the presence of our Eucharistic Lord in Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Our hope is to build an ever-more-intentional culture of communal prayer—praying as a parish family— even as we support faith formation happening in the home, the “domestic Church.” We ask your fervent prayers for the fruitfulness of this initiative.
Let His Peace be with you,
Fr. Stephen
