From Father George's Desk 10/11/2026
We are in the midst of a very busy stretch at our parishes. In addition to all of the usual ministry—including faith formation and sacramental preparation, Deacon Mark’s Bible Study, OCIA and OCIC—Holy Family will be welcoming Bishop Kulick and the faithful from around the diocese on Tuesday evening for a Diocesan Mass of Remembrance for Child Loss. Bishop Kulick will be coming to St. John on October 25 as we celebrate the parish’s 125th anniversary. St. John will also be hosting our fall craft show next Saturday. All of these events require much planning and preparation; I am grateful to all of the ministry groups who have been working hard to make it all happen.
Many parishes focus on stewardship during the month of October. In the weeks ahead all parishioners will be receiving more information about stewardship in our parish, including a summary of our parish’s annual financial report and opportunities for getting involved in our parish’s many ministries. In that spirit, this week’s stewardship thought comes from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2003 letter, Stewardship and Young Adults: “Our Catholic tradition teaches us that with so many blessings come great challenges. At all times in our lives, we have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to share what we have been given. It begins with remembering our baptism, when we became followers of Jesus Christ. From this call flows the commitment to Christ that makes stewardship possible—and deeply rewarding. However, this is a commitment to a lifetime of action, and it requires sacrifice. Through following Christ, we have the benefit of the role model of sacrifice for the greater good, a model of self-giving and loving service.”
Throughout this month, all the parishes in the diocese are conducting the annual October Count. Every year, during the month of October, we do this literal “head count” of how many people are attending Mass. These counts are important in statistical reporting, especially in helping the diocese and parishes determine long-term trends in Mass attendance, which aid greatly in planning for the future. The month of October is chosen because there are no major Church feasts or holydays during the month, vacation season is over, school is in session, and the weather is generally still good...all factors which lead to “normal” Mass attendance.
Here at Holy Family and St. John, we have been counting attendance at every weekend and holyday Mass all year long for the past few years. This extra data that we have been collecting is useful in tracking seasonal shifts and other trends at our parishes. Next month, after we make our October Count report to the diocese, I hope to share some data and observations.
The month of November is dedicated to All Souls. As we approach this annual commemoration, you are invited to write the names of deceased loved ones in our Books of Remembrance, located near the baptismal fonts at both Holy Family and St. John. At every Mass in November, as we pray for the dead, we will especially remember those whose names are written in our books. Please take the opportunity through All Saints Day to add to our Book of Remembrance anyone you would like the parish to pray for.
Our Fall Anointing Mass will celebrated on Saturday, November 7 at 10:00AM at St. John. These Masses not only provide more chances to celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing of Sick but also present a wonderful opportunity raise the awareness and understanding of the sacrament. All too often we think this sacrament is only for those at the point of death, however, “This sacrament gives the grace of the Holy Spirit to those who are sick: by this grace the whole person is helped and saved, sustained by trust in God, and strengthened against the temptations of the Evil One and against anxiety over death. Thus the sick person is able not only to bear suffering bravely, but also to fight against it. [Pastoral Care of the Sick #6]
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