Today is Catechetical Sunday. The theme for this year is “Lord, when did we see you hungry” and is a quote from Matthew 25:37. Catechetical Sunday is a celebration of the many individuals, starting with parents and guardians, who instill and impart the teachings of the Catholic Faith. On this Sunday we honor our school faculty, those engaged in Sacramental preparation, and our PREP teachers and aides who weekly meet with our parish children and share the faith and the traditions of the Church with our young parishioners. Blessings upon all. PREP begins this Tuesday, 17 September.
Reminder that our parish will celebrate its annual Forty Hours Devotion in early October. Forty Hours will begin with the 8:30 a.m. Mass on Wednesday, 2 October and conclude with Evening Prayer on Friday, 4 October at 6 p.m. A Healing Mass will be celebrated as part of the Forty Hours on Thursday, 3 October at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday liturgies for Forty Hours will be celebrated at Our Lady of Peace, the Friday liturgies will be celebrated at Notre Dame de Lourdes. After the conclusion of Forty Hours, on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Friday, 4 October, animals will be blessed at 7 p.m. in the Notre Dame parking lot.
The following is a letter from Archbishop Perez concerning the Catholic Charities Appeal.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Thanks to the generosity of so many people throughout our local Church, I am thrilled to share that the Catholic Charities Appeal has eclipsed the halfway point of its goal this year! We have raised $6.5 million so far and that is outstanding! With God’s grace and your continued support, we will reach the $10 million goal. These funds will allow us to bring hope to hundreds of thousands of people in need throughout the region who count on our charitable ministries.
I know that the economic landscape has been challenging in many ways. That environment has impacted donations to charitable organizations, and the Catholic Charities Appeal is no exception. I know you receive many worthy requests for financial support, but the Catholic Charities Appeal is a crucial one. If you have not already made your gift, please consider making it now. The difficulties we face are exponentially greater for those in need who come to us for support. Every donation, no matter the size, is more impactful than ever before. Your gift directly supports our charitable ministries and their many good works.
To those who have already contributed, I express my deep gratitude on behalf of all those we serve. Everyone who contributes to the Catholic Charities Appeal is a partner in our mission. Together, we are Christ’s hands, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, providing medical care, and offering countless other forms of assistance.
Reaching our $10 million goal is within our grasp, but only with your help. Let us continue to be a beacon of hope for those who rely on us. Together, I know we will succeed and bring the compassionate love of Christ to all those in need.
Please be assured of my prayers for you and your family. May God bless you abundantly!
Fraternally yours in Christ
Nelson J. Perez D.D. Archbishop of Philadelphia
Information about donations and for a comprehensive presentation about how donated dollars are distributed please visit catholiccharitiesappeal.org. Thank you for your support and your generosity.