Recently we received the following correspondence from Father Bernard Ukwuegbu, who spoke here in July on behalf of the Pontifical Missionary Society.
Beloved Parishioners of Our Lady of Peace:
I write, on behalf of my Diocese and the Mission Office, to convey our heartfelt sentiment of gratitude to you for the wonderful hospitality I enjoyed in your parish during my visit for the 2024 Mission Cooperation Plan of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, I really had a very delightful time in your parish, and in a very special way enjoyed the hospitality of the parish rectory.
I will always treasure the good memories of a Parish community that strives to imitate the first “company of those who believed,” whom we are told “were always of one heart and soul.” (Acts 4:32); and who “devoted themselves constantly to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). May the good Lord continue to strengthen you together in His Love!
Please do remember to pray for us and for all in the Missions; and rest assured of our prayers for you as a community as well as for your individual families.
May the good Lord, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Virgin Mary and the saints, continue to keep us together in His love!
Gratefully yours in the Lord,
Rev. Bernard Ukwuegbu
St. Michael Parish
Catholic Diocese of Orlu, Nigeria
The collection for the Pontifical Missionary Society continues through the month of August. Envelopes are located at the entrances to our churches. Thank you again for your prayerful support and financial generosity.
Archbishop Perez will be the main celebrant for a 6:00 P.M. vigil Mass at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church on Saturday, 31 August. The Mass is the beginning of a Summit celebration hosted by the gentlemen of the Philly Frassati house at the former Notre Dame de Lourdes Rectory. After Mass there will be a celebration of music, art, food, and drink. The evening concludes with Adoration from 11:00 P.M. until midnight. The cost of the evening is $10, and all are welcome. For more information, please contact Ryan at ryanrastatter786@gmail.com. Thanks.
Our Notre Dame de Lourdes School will reopen soon after Labor Day, and our PREP program, also conducted at Notre Dame, will begin on Tuesday, 17 September. Our faculty has been on-site attending professional development sessions and preparing their classroom spaces for the coming academic year. The school is looking spiffy. Reminder that our PREP program needs two teachers for the coming year. Please contact the rectory for more information. Thank you.
The following is a prayer, from the Xavier University website, for all our students and for all who provide for their education. Blessings!
God of love, you are with us in every transition and change, as we enter this new school year with excitement and some anxiety, we recall your deep compassion, presence, and abounding love. We thank you for the gifts, talents, and skills with which you have blessed us. We thank you for the experiences that have brought us to this moment. We thank you for the work of others that gives breadth and depth to our own work. Be with us as we move forward, rejoicing with you and supporting one another. We ask this in your Holy Name. Amen.