My Dear Parish Family:

Happy Labor Day! The last unofficial weekend of the summer and now it is back to school! I know the children of our parish may not be happy going back to school, but I am happy that the children will once again be attending our Catholic school and in our Religious Education Program classes. I miss seeing them all summer especially at Sunday Mass. I pray that every- one enjoys this weekend with family and friends.

Please remember to have your children and grandchildren bring their backpack (school bag) to ChurchNEXT weekend. We will be blessing all backpacks ask- ing Almighty God to bless our children and their schools during this upcoming academic year.

Let us remember in our prayers all those who are under employed or out of work during our celebration of Labor Day. We thank God for the gift of work even as we enjoy some time away from our jobs.

Finally, as I begin my tenth year as your Pastor, I ask each of you, once again, to please remember me in your prayers. We have many projects that will need to be done over the next few years, but I especially want to try to lead our community closer to Christ through our community prayer, penances and works of charity. We will grow closer to the day of salvation by loving, praying and working together in the gentle embrace of our parish family. Our parish Church and community will continue to be strong as we remember to pray for one another.

Until next week, peace and prayers! St. Benedict, pray for us. Servant of God, Terence Cardinal Cooke, pray for us.

Fr. Stephen P. Norton