Thank you to all who organized, worked, or participated in our Corn Hole Tournament and barbeque on Saturday, 19 August. It was a perfect weather day and a spirited day at Nelson Hall for the event. The proceeds will benefit the technological needs of our parish school. Thank you again for your support of our parish.
Our Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration will return this Tuesday, 29 August at Our Lady of Peace Church. Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament begins at the 8:30 morning Mass and will conclude with Benediction at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to spend time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. The Divine Praises, The Most Holy Rosary, The Chaplet of Divine Mercy are suitable prayers before the Blessed Sacrament. Sacred Scripture is also a treasured way to be one with the Lord. Also sacred silence before the Lord is a welcome encounter of listening and discernment.
O God, who have accomplished the work of human redemption through the Paschal Mystery of your Only Begotten Son, graciously grant that we, who confidently proclaim, under sacramental signs, the Death and Resurrection of Christ, may experience continued increase of your Saving grace. Amen.
Tuesday, 29 August sees our second attempt at our Campfire Catechesis. We will be at Our Lady of Peace, between the Church and the Parish Center (Gym), at 7 p.m. after Benediction. All are most welcome. Our first campfire on 25 July was rained out so we are praying for more clement weather on Tuesday evening. Please bring your favorite chair, snack, and soft drink. The following is an excerpt from the bulletin of 16 July about the Campfire nights.
Let’s discuss faith, our religion, the Sacred Scriptures, and the catechism. Let’s discuss the joys of summer, the beauty of the season, vacation memories. What roads have you journeyed – the high, the low, the long and winding? Who was with you? Whom did you need to be with you? Who is your “go to” saint? What is your favorite prayer? What is your favorite hymn? What aspect of liturgy speaks to your heart? When has God surprised you? How did you react? When have you surprised God? How did God react? What do you need to hear from God? What grace do you need to hear it?
The start of school is upon us. Blessings to our students, teachers, staff, administrators at Notre Dame de Lourdes School and at our PREP. Blessings also to our students at secondary schools and in college. Blessings also for your co-curricular activities. May you be kept safe in all your sports and activities this year. The following prayer is from St. Thomas Aquinas, the patron saint of students.
Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, lofty origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your brilliance penetrate into the darkness of my understanding. Give me a sharp sense of understanding, a retentive memory, and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally. Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations, and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm. Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in completion, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
U.S. Catholic magazine, from last August, has an interesting article: “12 saints to guide students through the school year.” It can be found at uscatholic.org.
The beginning of September will usher additional masses for our weekly schedule. Mass will be offered on Friday mornings at 8:30 beginning on Friday, 8 September – The Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Mother. The Tuesday evening 7:00 mass will begin on Tuesday, 5 September. Intentions are available now for these additional masses through 2023. A reminder that our 2024 Mass book will open at the rectory, on Monday, 11 September. Blessings!