From Father George's Desk 8/9/2026

As a kid growing up in Fayette County, the first full weekend of August (when the Fayette County Fair ends) was always the “two-minute warning” that summer was winding down and the new school year was just around the corner.  Soon our attention will turn toward the resumption of a much busier parish schedule. Please keep posted for information on the resumption of the Faith Formation and sacramental preparation programs, as well as youth ministry.  Plans are coming along for the celebration of St. John the Evangelist’s 125th anniversary on October 25, Holy Family’s Parish Picnic is coming up on September 20, and our annual partner parishes Volunteer Appreciation Dinner is scheduled for October 7.  Keep watching the bulletin for details on all these and many other parish activities.

This Saturday the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Even though the dogma of the Assumption was officially promulgated by Pope Pius XII only 76 years ago, the    origins of this feast can be traced back to at least the fifth century.  In the Eastern tradition of the Church, the day is celebrated as the Dormition, or “sleeping” of Mary, indicating that she did not die but was taken to heaven as if asleep.  As we honor our Lady of the Assumption, we are called to reflect upon Our Blessed Mother as the Hope of All Christians. The Catechism of the Catholic Church quotes Pius XII’s 1950 apostolic constitution, Munificentissimus Deus, “Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.”  The Catechism then goes on: “The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians” (#966).

This feast is typically a holyday of obligation; however, when it falls on a Saturday, the obligation to attend Mass is abrogated, i.e. cancelled.  To accommodate those who would like to celebrate the solemnity, Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:00 AM at St. John.

Our Lady of the Assumption is the patroness of the Diocese of Greensburg, making Saturday our diocesan patronal feast day.  Let us pray in a special way, through the intercession of our diocesan patroness, for   Bishop Kulick, priests, deacons, religious men and women, and all the laity throughout the four counties of our diocese.  Together, may we grow in the virtues of faith, hope, and love.  May we grow more united each day with Jesus Christ, our Head, and with one another, that Christ will be truly present among us and that we may truly be Christ’s presence in the world.

Our next Anointing Mass will celebrated Saturday, August 22 at 10:00AM at Holy Family.  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]