From Father George's Desk 8/24/25

The relative quiet of the past few weeks around our parishes has felt like the calm before the storm.  This weekend, the summer vacation season is winding down and the kids get ready to head back to school.  As we look forward to the resumption of a much busier parish calendar in the weeks ahead, here are some items of note…

· As we have been advertising for a good chunk of the summer, our first quarterly Anointing Mass is coming up on Saturday, September 6 at 10:00AM at St. John.  While the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is available anytime for those who need it simply by asking, we are instituting these quarterly Masses as a regularly scheduled opportunity to receive the grace of this wonderful sacrament of healing.  The next Anointing Mass will be at Holy Family sometime in early November.

· The Holy Family Parish Picnic is coming up on September 14 at Legion Keener Park.  As we did last year, we will begin with Mass in the band shell at Noon followed by an afternoon of good food, fun, and fellowship.  There is more information elsewhere in today’s bulletin.  Please be sure to get in your RSVP soon!

· Another year of Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation is about to begin. The Confirmation Preparation Kick-off is set for Thursday, September 11 and the K-8th Grade Faith Formation Kick-off is scheduled for Sunday, September 21.  There is more information elsewhere in today’s bulletin. 

· Our Choir and Handbell Choir are getting ready to come off of their summer hiatus.  Practices resume this week.  Please contact Bob Mason, our Coordinator of Liturgical Music for more information.

· Both parishes are currently coordinating campaigns to support Lifeway Pregnancy Center. Holy Family   currently holding a “Baby Shower” and St. John will be holding a Baby Bottle Campaign during the month of September.  Please see the respective ads elsewhere in today’s bulletin.

· There’s still time to sign up for the Holy Family/St. John Annual Golf Outing on September 5 at the Latrobe Elks Golf Club.  Please contact Tony Bova to register ASAP!

· Preparations are being made for St. John’s Fall Craft & Vendor Show on October 18.  There is a donation tree in the gathering space at St. John; gift basket donations are also being accepted.

· Planning is underway for a Fall Ministry Fair at both parishes on the weekend of October 25-26.  There is so much excellent ministry happening at both parishes but it is critically importantly that we get more involvement to keep it going.  Please keep watching for more information.

All of this is just a sampling of what’s happening as we look forward to Fall.  Our bulletin is always packed each week with a lot of important parish information and invitations to get more involved.  Our parishes are at their best when all of us are sharing our time and talents, as well as our treasure, to proclaim the Good News and build the Kingdom!

This week the Church honors the saintly mother-and-son team of St. Monica (August 27) and St. Augustine (August 28).  St. Augustine (354-430) is one of the greatest minds in the history of the Church.  He is studied by philosophy students of all backgrounds and his theological writings continue to a have profound effect on the faith life of the Church in the 21st century.  In addition to all that, Augustine served as Bishop of Hippo (in    modern-day Algeria) in North Africa for 30 years.  But there is much more to this Doctor of the Church that that.  Augustine’s early life would be characterized as anything but holy. 

Even though his mother was Christian, Augustine’s father, Patritius, was a pagan and it seemed, to the chagrin of his mother, that Augustine was following a similar path.  Until he was in his early 30’s Augustine pursued what can best be described as a dissolute and hedonistic life and Monica’s own marriage was quite an unhappy one.  Nonetheless, Monica (333-387) persevered in her faith; she was well-known for her charity, patience, and prayer.  For many years she prayed for the conversion of her husband and eldest son...seemingly to no avail.  But, finally, shortly before his death, Patritius did convert and, at the age of 33, Augustine embraced his Christian faith, thanks to the direction of another great Christian scholar of the day, St. Ambrose, bishop of    Milan.  “The circumstances of St. Monica’s life could have made her a nagging wife, a bitter daughter-in-law and a despairing parent, yet she did not give way to any of these temptations.” (from americancatholic.org) Because of Monica’s example of unwavering faith and constant prayer for her son and husband, she is  honored as patron saint of mothers and married women and is a sterling example of Christian patience. 

We often become discouraged when things don’t happen according to our schedule nor in the way we think they should happen.  Whether we have concerns or anxieties about our loved ones or are struggling in our spiritual lives, we can relate to Monica’s story.  For those times we seem to be approaching the ends of our ropes or anxiety threatens to overwhelm us, St. Monica, pray for us!