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On the Catechetical Sunday, please join me in thanking all of our catechists and catechist volunteers as we begin this new school year. Of all the things we learn, learning of our salvation is of eternal value! All other knowledge is temporary and passes away.
Thank you to everyone who helped last weekend as we began our Saturday evening Masses back in the church buildings. This would not be possible without the help of many volunteers properly trained to assist. In order to open up more church buildings, we are going to need more help with greeters, ushers, Eucharistic Ministers. There was a training session for Eucharistic Ministers this Saturday and there will be a training session for NEW Ushers/Greeters and Lectors on Saturday, September 26, from 9 to 11 am at St. Camillus. Let Jean Pascale know if you will attend by texting her at 330-770-1635.
This weekend, we also began celebrating the sacrament of Reconciliation inside St. Vitus Church. Due to the directives of the Bishop regarding coronavirus, we are not allowed to use the confessionals. Our three priests will celebrate the sacrament in the cry room, the priest sacristy and the baptismal font entrance of the church. Those wishing to receive the sacrament must stay 6 feet apart from everyone else in the church building and also from the priests when they enter the space for their confession. Thank you to everyone for your cooperation and understanding during these challenging times.
Congratulations once again to our 95 newly confirmed youth. It was an honor and a privilege to celebrate that sacrament in five different ceremonies for our confirmandi and their sponsors and families. Congratulations also to their parents for their support in bringing their sons and daughters to Christ! I hope and pray that the sacrament of Confirmation will take hold in their hearts and in their lives and that they will participate more fully in the life of our parish! The youth ministry program is designed especially for them. Parents, please support and encourage your young person to participate.
This is a very challenging time to be a teenager. Our world is far more dangerous than it ever was. Don’t let them be stolen from the faith or from Christ by the noise of a very hostile and secular world. Our Savior, himself, asked the question, “What good is it to gain the whole world, but lose your soul in the process?” Of all the priorities you set in your family and for your children, such as a good education and good employment, and so forth, the main goal must be for their eternal salvation! None of the other stuff will matter in the end. All wise people know this, but even wiser people act upon it. It’s not enough to know the truth of life; we must also have the courage to live it.
I encourage all of our young people, not only the newly confirmed, but all of our teens, to be involved in youth ministry and in the life of the parish by being trained to be a greeter/usher, cantor, altar server, Eucharistic Minister, or catechetical mentor for younger children. We need you and welcome you. Be Alive in Christ!
God love you,
