Tomorrow is the feast of Sts. Anne & Joachim.  Today, we celebrate the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.  I will be on retreat Monday through Friday.  I don't plan to write again until at least Saturday.

     We set a new record of 923 people inside our church for Masses this weekend.  Our old record was 902 just two weeks ago.  We also reached 61% of our October 2019 number of 1518.

4 PM        227           2

6 PM        145

8 AM        126

10 AM      206           2

12 PM      219

     We have plenty of room at every Mass.  However, we had several handicapped people come to the 4 PM Mass just a few minutes early when all the handicapped seating was taken.  Also, I was called away for a sick call before the 12 PM Mass.  When I returned at 11:59 AM, I found four families breaking the six foot rule in the area reserved for those who want to be six feet apart.

      I remind everyone that we have dozens (even hundreds) of handicapped people in our parish.  And we have a small minority who want to sit six feet apart.  To make them feel welcome, please respect the areas reserved for them.  If you are only mildly handicapped, please consider sitting in other areas so that the more severely handicapped can find good seats.

     With the delta variant heating up, let's be more sacrificial in where we choose to sit so that more and more people can attend Mass safely and peacefully.

     Since today is the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, I wonder who is our oldest parishioner?  Who can don the crown left by Tom Fennell who departed this life at the age of 40,143 days (109.9 years)?

     At the 10 AM Mass, Concetta Cikora helped bring up the gifts.  She is 100.6 years old.  Has anyone been on this planet longer?  I've asked Joe to contact a woman who would be 105.9 if she's still living.

     My silent retreat will run from Monday through Friday.  Thankfully we have several retired priests who will celebrate Mass, hear confessions, and lead the holy hour.  The office staff will answer the phone and check their own e-mails.

     I will not be checking e-mail or the news.  I'm going to try to be quiet.  I don't really need rest.  Rather, I'm looking forward to being with the Lord.

God love you,

Fr. Jim