We welcome the lay missioners who will offer some words this weekend about the Franciscan Mission Service. Please be generous as we help with their important work in sharing the faith in difficult places.
This Thursday, August 15, is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, a holy day of obligation. A vigil Mass will be offered at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Masses on Thursday are at 6:15, 8:15, 12:30 and 6:30 p.m. (You may want to note that the 8:15 Mass will be an all-school Mass and a crowded church.)
Casey Ryan, Fr. Bobby and I will be attending a workshop on Friday to learn more about the changes coming in the RCIA. A new ritual book has just been approved and we’ll learn more about the changes. The first change will be one in name: RCIA will change to OCIA. (Instead of Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults it will be called Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.) It is going to take a long time to get used to that. The OCIA is the Church’s effort to walk with those who are interested in finding out more about Catholicism and those who are ready to make the leap and join us. If you or someone you know may be interested, our parish OCIA group will be beginning soon. Give a call to Casey at 482-2186.
We are occasionally blessed with a visit from Sister Veronica, the daughter of Jim and Madeline Nugent, who is a member of the Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The sisters are having a “Come and See” retreat weekend for women aged 15-27 on September 27-29. If you are interested, contact Sr. Christina a 570-745-3334. They are also offering a weekend retreat for high school girls on Nov. 8-10. For information, contact Maureen Benoit at 774-289-0249.
Next weekend we will have our annual Seminarian Bake Sale, sponsored by our parish Vocation Committee. The Pentecost collection, taken in May, is the major collection used to pay tuition, room and board for seminarians. The bake sale proceeds help them to keep their cars running and pay for toothpaste through the year.