The missionary group is preparing for their Kensington outreach ministry. This weekend they are hosting a group of middle schoolers from Chicago. Part of this outreach is to share the clothing donations that have been made possible through your generosity. The missionaries, and recipients are grateful for your thoughtful donations.
Currently the missionaries are sorting through the donations in the clothing bin and in the trailer. This inventory will assist them in determining the most pressing needs as they prepare for the autumn and winter seasons. Therefore, they ask that you hold back on your donations until this inventory has been completed. They anticipate this inventory to be completed by mid-October. Thank you.
In a similar note, the missionaries host encounter evenings for high-school age students at the OLP convent every Thursday evening from 7-9pm. These evenings include time for prayer, reflection, Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, and socializing. All high school students are most welcome.
The Notre Dame de Lourdes Carnival begins this Thursday, 25 September through Saturday, 27 September. Thank you for your purchase of the Spring Training raffle, and for all the support that you give to the Carnival. Thank you to our Carnival organizers, and volunteers. You do an amazing job every year to plan and coordinate the Carnival. And thank you for placing the Blessed Mother in the window and for your prayers for good weather for the Carnival.
Thank you to those who have returned their census card and your generous support of our annual Block Collection. The Block Collection helps us to sustain the programs offered by the parish as well as to keep the parish buildings operational. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. The Census card helps us to determine the members of our parish community as well as determining your needs. Thank you for your prompt response to this annual endeavor.
The month of October will arrive soon. In October the archdiocese conducts a count of the number of people who attend weekend Masses. This “October count” helps the archdiocese to project the direction of its parishes. With that in mind, this weekend, for the calendar year of 2025 we will surpass the total number of attendees from the 2022 calendar year count. In 2025 we will achieve this number in 38 weeks what took 52 weeks to achieve three years ago. Also, the 2022 number includes the Christmas Mass celebrations which obviously have yet to occur in 2025. Thank you for encouraging people to worship with us on a regular basis and for sharing the vitality of Our Lady of Peace and Notre Dame de Lourdes.
On Saturday, 4 October we will extend the annual Blessing of Animals. The blessing will be conducted at the front steps of Our Lady of Peace Church. In case of inclement weather, the blessing will occur in the foyer of the Church. Our furry, feathery, and scaly friends bring so much joy to our lives. Please feel free to bring them for this blessing at 1pm as we celebrate the Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi.
Tuesday, 23 September is the Memorial of St. Padre Pio. A statue of St. Padre Pio is in the back of Our Lady of Peace Church. Padre Pio was a Capuchin Friar who lived in the monastery at San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy. He received the stigmata (wounds of Christ) in 1910, and he was much sought after as a spiritual advisor, confessor, and intercessor. Despite such notoriety, he would often say, “I only want to be a poor friar who prays.” Padre Pio’s life was devoted to the Eucharist and to prayer. He died on 23 September 1968 at age eighty-one.
Padre Pio’s Prayer for Trust and Confidence
O Lord, we ask for a boundless confidence and trust in Your divine mercy, and the courage to accept the crosses and sufferings which bring immense goodness to our souls and that of Your Church.
Help us to love You with a pure and contrite heart, and to humble ourselves beneath Your cross, as we climb the mountain of holiness, carrying our cross that leads to heavenly glory.
May we receive You with great faith and love in Holy Communion and allow You to act in us as You desire for your greater glory.
O Jesus, most adorable Heart and eternal fountain of Divine Love, may our prayer find favor before the Divine Majesty of Your heavenly Father.
-Padre Pio Foundation of America