Dear Parishioners,
Mass Attendance
We welcomed 39 more people inside our church this weekend.
Mass Inside Outside
4 PM 225 0
6 PM 150 0
8 AM 127 0
10 AM 179 1
12 PM 195 2
Total 876 3
Electrifying Excursion #1
Excursion is a synonym for picnic. We enjoyed an exciting excursion yesterday. Tickets sold plus volunteers totaled 545. Chris Parke and his committee did a great job. The food lines were short and the DJ marvelous. Kids enjoyed face painting, games, and a bouncy house. I was amazed by how smoothly everything went. And I noticed so many people were just glad to be together.
Many people needed a few moments to recognize me in my disguise. I darted about the picnic and enjoyed conversations with many people. I ran to anoint one lady who was already feeling better. A cop, two other guys, and I lifted a woman in a 400 pound wheelchair out of the sand. With four guys, she and the wheelchair felt so light.
At the end of the picnic, a guy from my high school class stopped by to say hello. He had ridden here from Whiting on a battery powered electric bike.
Electrifying Excursion #2
This morning, members of the Security Committee and I learned when and how to shock people whose hearts have stopped. The AED device will come in very handy if we ever need it. We also learned how to do chest compressions which can get tiring after a couple minutes. And we have a better idea of the steps to take to help someone whose not feeling so well.
Expected Electrifying Excursions
Our Heart of Truth Homeschooling Academic Service will enjoy another exciting Tuesday tomorrow.
Our Religious Education students begin a new academic year on Wednesday and Saturday.
I look forward to seeing more and more young people at church and in classes.
Two or Three
Excursions involving two, three, or more people can not only be electrifying, they can be occasions for Jesus being more present to us. That is, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)
While Mass is the most exciting and electrifying experience, it's also good to gather to learn about Jesus or to enjoy one another's company at a parish picnic. And those experiences can prompt us to seek Jesus anew in the Eucharist.
God love you,
Fr. Jim