Dolores Tucky died just about 3 weeks after her husband Richard passed away. They were married for 49 years. Both died unexpectedly but we pray they may be reunited in the kingdom of heaven. Dolores, like her husband, was a person of faith and faithFUL to coming to Mass. But her faith extended beyond that in the care she would show to family members who were ill. She was thought of as generous, unselfish & friendly. May the Lord who gave her these virtues now welcome her to eternal life.
I am grateful to our PSR Director, Joann Deranek, who, along with her husband Joe, welcomed the children back to religious education class last week. I am also very appreciative of the adults who choose to share their Catholic faith with these children as their catechists. Some are learning remotely at home as some of our elementary school children are doing, but they are all learning more about the Lord & his desire for their friendship. May God bless them all throughout this new year.
Congratulations to Nicholas Woody & Danielle Zappitelli who are getting married here this weekend. As we pray in the nuptial blessing, may they live to see their children’s children & one day be welcomed to the eternal wedding feast of heaven.
A reminder that our annual Pet Blessing will take place this Saturday, October 3rd at 11:30am by our Shrine to Mary (weather permitting...otherwise, in the vestibule of the church). October 4th is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi & as you know we now have a statue of this lover of God’s creatures by the west front entrance of the church and rectory office. It appears that the blessing once saved the life of a turtle who hadn’t been taking nourishment for some time until after the blessing! True story. So bring whatever pets you’d like as we thank God for these creatures which bless us with much happiness. Abby will not be in attendance due to environmental allergies but Michaela will be there as her proxy. And Michaela always needs the blessing herself as the next authority in line after me (then comes the Deacon).
Speaking of she who is to be given treats on demand, Michaela’s birthday is this Saturday, September 26th. She will be 8 years old. She’s catching up to me as she’s 56 in human years and I just turned 60 so in a few months we’ll be the same age. I don’t know that I ever thought of this before, but her feast day is this Monday, September 29th, the feast of the Archangels Michael, Raphael & Gabriel. It’s not her feast because she’s an angel (she’s not) but because of her name sake Michael. Like St. Michael who is called upon as our protector, Michaela protects the perimeter of the parish against all enemies, foreign & domestic. May she live her vocation faithfully.
Finally, this Friday, October 2nd (we’re in October already???), is the feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. I remember the good Sisters telling us in elementary school to make room for our guardian angel when we were sitting together in church getting ready for Mass. So make sure you leave some space for yours who prays along with you & watches over you always.