Join us for our parish picnic this Sunday, September 18th, from 1 to 4 PM.  Tickets are available in the parish office today and at the picnic on Sunday.  The picture above shows that we're already setting up.  The graphic below has more information.  See below that for more of my letter.

     I have often wondered why Mass attendance is so much lower than in 1950.  It's a complex topic.  Here's a new article that identifies 1965 as the turning point in France.

by John Pepino

     Interestingly, we are far enough away from 1965 that studies can be done to figure out what really happened.  It seems to me that our experience here in the United States resembles that of France.

     So, how do we invite and encourage people to practice the Catholic faith?  I offer another article about Shia LeBeouf's conversion.

by Emily Finley

     LeBeuof was attracted to the Catholic faith by the goodness of Padre Pio and the beauty of the Traditional Latin Mass.  Typically, people are attracted to Catholicism by beauty and/or goodness before they delve deeply into the truth.

     Occasionally, I talk with people visiting St. John's for the first time who are deeply moved in a spiritual way.  They identify the beauty of our church as key.  I can tell that it's the beauty of our church that draws them into a special encounter with Jesus Christ.

     I think we can make our church and parish more attractive by improving our beauty and goodness.  Then we can share the truth of our Catholic faith.  I pray that our parish picnic will serve as a turning point for us.  That is, the goodness of our parish picnic will hopefully draw more people into greater participation in our parish and a deeper closeness with Jesus Christ.

     Let's pray for one another's intentions.  Here are a few to get us started:

1)  For the repose of Queen Elizabeth II and consolation for all who mourn her passing.

2)  For peace in Ukraine and all places torn by war.

3)  For the success of our parish picnic.

4)  For more people to recognize God's presence and to follow Jesus Christ.

5)  On Catechetical Sunday, may our catechists be blessed as they begin a new year of teaching the Catholic faith.

God love you,

Fr. Jim