Notre Dame de Lourdes School Carnival – The annual Notre Dame de Lourdes School Carnival will be held on the school grounds from Thursday 24 September through Saturday 26 September. Thank you for your prayers for good weather for our carnival. The Carnival hours are from 6-10pm on Thursday and Friday and from 4-8pm on Saturday.
The Raffle at this year’s carnival is for tickets to the Eagles-Cowboys game at the Linc on Monday 26 October. The winner receives four Eagles’ Kelly Green jerseys, four tickets to the game, reserved parking pass, access to a two-hour inclusive tailgate inside the stadium with unlimited food, drink, and the opportunity to meet franchise legends. The raffle tickets are $10, and they are sold at the school office or at the Carnival. The drawing will be conducted near the conclusion of the Carnival on Saturday evening, 26 September. Thank you for your patronage.
4 October – Blessing of Animals – The annual tradition of the blessing of animals on the memorial of St. Francis of Assisi will be commemorated on the Our Lady of Peace Church grounds on Sunday 4 October beginning at 1pm. This year commemorates the 800th anniversary of the passing of St. Francis who, in his Canticle of Creation, reminds us of the role that every living being, created by the Father, performs for the well-being of the earth.
“Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired Saint Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.” – From Franciscan Media
4 October – Our Lady of Peace Parish Youth Ministry – The initial Mass for our parish Youth Ministry was celebrated in August. Our next gathering will be on Sunday 4 October at 6pm with Mass at Our Lady of Peace Church followed by a social, then a meeting. All are most welcome.
Pope Leo, on the 40th anniversary of World Youth Day wrote encouraging young people: “not to use the words of faith to divide, but to work for reconciliation, becoming active artisans of peace.” It is our hope that this ministry will assist our parish youth to become active artisans of peace who use their unique talents to welcome all into “the sweet joy of bearing witness to the Kingdom of God.” (Pope Francis)
14 September – Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross – Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.
In the Roman Catholic Church each day of the week, and each month of the year carries a dedication. The month of September is dedicated to the Cross and Our Lady of Sorrows. This Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross reminds us that the Cross is the means of our redemption as we acknowledge our sins and unite our sufferings to the sufferings of Christ.
Prayer: Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance. He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
15 September – Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows – O sweet Mother! Font of love, touch my spirit from above. Make my heart with yours accord. – From The Stabat Mater
Reflection: The Stabat Mater, written in the 13th century, is a hymn that recalls the Passion of Christ and the comforting presence of the Blessed Mother who remained at his side. The Stabat Mater is sung on this memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows as well as during the movement between Stations during the Stations of the Cross devotion.
Prayer: Almighty God, the wise priest Simeon prophesized about the Passion of your Son, and the tender love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. May we, like Mary, always behold your Son and close by the Cross with you to stay. Amen.
Mass Readings and reflection questions for the 24th Ordinary Sunday (Cycle A) – 13 September 2026
Sirach 27:30—28:7 – What are the vices that you hug tight? / What sins do you remember in detail? Are these typically your sins or the transgressions of others? / How is anger nourished? Do you tend to satisfy its hunger? / How frequently do you think of the Commandments or the Beatitudes?
Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12 – R. The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion. – What are the benefits the Lord has given to you? / How often does the Lord chide you? How often do you chide yourself? / How far is your east from your west? What grace do you need from the Lord to make that distance more expansive?
Romans 14:7-9 – We have spent the last fourteen Sundays (more than a quarter of the year) with readings from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans. What have you learned from this letter? With what aspects of Romans do you struggle? / How comforting is it to know that you are the Lord’s? How is it challenging?
Matthew 18:21-35 – Who has forgiven you seventy-seven times? Whom have you forgiven that frequently? Have you ever had to forgive for a seventy-eighth time? What helped you to do it? What prevented you from doing it?