It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Christmas trees are in place at both of our churches. The trees are trimmed with gift ideas for the Christmas Bazaar. Thank you for the donations that you have already made and for your support for the Christmas Bazaar. The Bazaar will be at Nelson Hall at our Notre Dame de Lourdes campus on Friday 14 November and Saturday 15 November. A new feature at the Bazaar will be Coffee Sunday with Santa, at Nelson Hall on Sunday 16 November after the 9:30 am Mass. Thanks to all who are planning and organizing our annual Bazaar.
The Notre Dame de Lourdes School Carnival is also quickly approaching. The Carnival runs from Thursday 25 September through Saturday 27 September. Please pray for good weather and keep a statue of the Blessed Mother in your window. Thanks to our Carnival Committee, volunteers, and for your support.
Coffee Sunday is returning this weekend. Please join us for beverages, light breakfast treats, and fellowship today, Sunday 17 August at the St. Joseph Room at Notre Dame de Lourdes School after the 9:30 am Mass. Coffee Sunday is celebrated every third Sunday of the month. Pass the cream!
Also, returning soon at Notre Dame de Lourdes there is the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Children’s Liturgy of the Word is conducted every third Sunday of the month. The first date this year will be Sunday 21 September. Children’s Liturgy of the Word is held in the Sacristy area of Notre Dame de Lourdes Church during the 9:30 am Mass. Children – up to and including third grade – are invited by the priest celebrant to join our catechists for an age-appropriate presentation of the Scripture readings for that particular Sunday.
Thank you to all who have joined us for our Harbor of Hope series this summer. We have two reflections remaining. The topic for this Tuesday 19 August is “The Edge of Hope”. The feature of this talk is St. John Eudes. St. John was a seventeenth century French priest who alongside of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. St. John also ministered to individuals who were on the edge of society by encouraging them to accept the invitation of conversion and to embrace the gift of Christ’s unconditional love. The final gathering on Tuesday 26 August will feature Saints Augustine, Monica, and Ambrose – the power of prayer as the “Strength of Hope.” The Harbor of Hope series coincides with our Tuesday Benediction. It is celebrated at Our Lady of Peace Church at 6:30 pm. All are most welcome to join us.
Many colleges and universities begin their academic year this week. Blessings for our parishioners who are beginning their collegiate experience or continuing their studies. Best wishes to you, and you remain in our well wishes and prayers. The Academic Year for St. Charles Borromeo Seminary also begins this week – Wednesday 20 August. Please pray for our seminarians and for their families as they strive towards their priestly ordinations. In May, Pope Leo XIV offered the following reflection about vocations.
“It is important that young men and women on their vocational journey find acceptance, listening and encouragement in their communities, and that they can look up to credible models of generous dedication to God and their brothers and sisters. Let us take up the invitation that Pope Francis left us in his message for today: the invitation to welcome and accompany young people. And let us ask our heavenly Father to assist us in living in service to one another, each according to his or her state of life, shepherds after his own heart, capable of helping one another to walk in love and truth. Do not be afraid! Welcome the call of the church and of Christ the Lord.”
St. Charles Borromeo pray for us.