Dear Friends,
Last weekend we announced with sadness that part of the priest personnel changes in the Archdiocese includes Father Graebe being reassigned to Saint Andrew Parish, Newtown, Bucks County. We will miss his priestly ministry here, his insightful and challenging homilies, his kindness, and his wit. We know that he will bring all of these to bear in his new ministry at Saint Andrew.
At the same time, we announced that Father John Stokely is being assigned to Saint Eleanor. Father Stokely preached our Forty Hours devotions several years ago. We look forward to welcoming him and his priestly ministry here among us. These assignments will take effect October 2. Please keep Father Graebe and Father Stokely and all the priests receiving assignments at this time in your kind prayers.
Our Forty Hours devotions were truly beautiful. Father Auletta’s homilies were most engaging and inspiring, drawing us into deeper communion with our Lord. I am grateful for all those who helped to make these devotions such a blessing for our parish family before, during, and after. How truly blessed we are through Jesus who seeks to draw us ever closer to Himself. A prayer of thanksgiving for all who attended the devotions and who spent some quiet time with our Lord during adoration.
When oh when will Two Dollar Sunday be? That’s the question and the answer is being formulated. Keep watching. It’s coming. There’s just so many things happening and going on right now. It’s amazing. Fall is off to a fast start.
In our first reading this weekend, from the Book of Sirach, we read “Forgive your neighbor's injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the LORD?” And, Jesus teaches us in the Our Father ~ “…forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us…” Our all-loving Father God forgives sins through the Blood of His Son Jesus poured out on Good Friday. We who seek and receive forgiveness from God are to forgive as we are forgiven, to forgive if we wish to be forgiven. We do this through openness to God’s grace. Let us seek that grace every day confident in God’s providence and care.
God bless you, God love you,
Monsignor McCulken
