Dear Parishioners,

As has been the case for several years now, last week's Parish Block Party was a wonderful success. We estimate an attendance of about 800 people. The food was great, the music and entertainment provided lots of fun. Most importantly, the community spirit was uplifting. So many people contributed to the success of the evening. Many parishioners contributed time, talent and food. Committee members started gathering at noon to set up tables, chairs, and barbecues. The final bit of clean-up in the school kitchen was completed just prior to 11:30 pm. Probably close to 100 people contributed and worked to make the Block Party such a great success. Thank you to everyone who shared in the day and a big thank you to Mrs. Rosemary Pettei who coordinated everything from beginning to end.

SUMMER 2010

Summer has fully arrived and the hot, humid weather of the past two weeks has made summer's arrival very clear. With the Parish Block Party, a respite comes in terms of parish activities. Many parish activities take a break until the arrival of the new academic year after Labor Day. Baptisms, Confessions, Weddings, and all sacramental celebrations continue all through July and August. Many persons on the parish staff will be working fewer hours during the summer. At times, office hours may seem irregular; we ask you for your patience. We will be having some student workers during the summer to assist with necessary tasks.

Be aware that our Sunday Mass schedule is changed for July and August. We have the usual 5:00 pm Saturday evening mass. Sunday Masses are at 7:45, 9:00, 11:00 and 12:30pm Mass in Spanish. We return to the regular schedule for the first Sunday of September.

I have noted that several parishes are beginning special collections for summer months in order to keep up with summer expenses. There is a sense that Mass attendance declines in summer months and parishes do not have income to meet the ordinary summer expenses such as salaries, benefits, landscaping, insurance, air conditioning, etc. I have not chosen to include a special summer collection. I do ask that you continue to be regular and generous in your Sunday offering. Again, I encourage you to consider Faith Direct as a way of ensuring your regular participation in the Sunday collection. In terms of parish finances, we continue to manage your contributions very carefully and in full compliance with diocesan guidelines. While many parishes are reporting severe financial difficulties, we remain able to operate within monthly budget parameters. I am very grateful to our Business Manager and Finance Assistant for their diligence and to you the parishioners for your generous support. Please continue that support during the summer months.

Our parish camp began this past Monday and we have more than 200 boys and girls in attendance. Our school building remains a very active place and those who use the school will find a limited availability of space due to the camp. The camp not only provides a safe place for many local families, it is also an important activity for parish revenue. It is very important that any persons who do use the school building respect all camp property. Also, those who use the school building must clean up after themselves, leave all rooms as you found them, and bring your own garbage out to the parish dumpsters.

TODAY'S READINGS

The readings for today offer us some beautiftil images. From the first reading from Isaiah, we hear the Lord speak: "as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you;" In the midst of our own struggles and disappointments, this image of a compassionate, nurturing Lord is very reassuring. We are wise to cherish this image and carry it with us wherever we go.

The middle reading from St. Paul gives us a very different image. Paul begins, "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ...." The cross of Jesus is never far from us. While Isaiah reminds us that God is compassionate and nurturing, Paul reminds us we need to share in the cross of Jesus.

In the gospel from Luke, we are given the image that Jesus sends the disciples two by two. He follows by giving a series of instructions. The image of the disciples in pairs reminds us we are not to go about the work of the gospel alone. At the same time we need to be clear about the instructions we are given for the journey. Interestingly , the gospel concludes with Jesus making a reference to heaven. We need to remember always that heaven is the goal.

FOURTH OF JULY

Enjoy this weekend as we celebrate our nation's independence and our experience of freedom. Please be safe. We have heard too many news reports in recent weeks of people being seriously injured in recreational activities. We will pray through these summer months for the safety of vacationers.

Enjoy a peace-filled week!

Fr. Tom