Thanks to Deacon Ray and Fr. Balraj, I had a break from writing a column. It was also very nice to have my classmate, Fr. John up from Kansas to spend a few days with. It was good to catch up and get out on the golf course, thankfully we did not keep score. The Assumption was a great feast, a day of grace and a reminder to turn to Mary, who is in heaven, for her assistance. There are so many devotions to Mary, yet as the saints have said, “we cannot love Mary more than Jesus did.”
We do have some weddings coming up at both parishes. Pray for these couples and the new life that they are forming as they form their own family. It has been a good summer for weddings this year. May we find ways to support our young couples as they enter more deeply the sacrament of Holy Marriage.
With September, meetings are beginning. Watch the calendar, bulletins and announcements for dates and times. We had our first Family Life Committee meeting. My own priest group will be meeting once a month for prayer and fellowship. As Moderator of the priest fraternity of the Institute of St. Joseph, there will be meetings and preparations for our times together that I need to stay on top of.
CCD/Religious Formation will once again be on Wednesday nights. Thank you to all of our catechists who will help form our young people. Confirmation will be meeting on Sunday evenings. Of course, our own committees here in the parish. As Dean, the deanery will also be meeting and welcoming new priests to serve in our local parishes.
On a lighter note, I will be having a ‘meeting’ with family. My aunt and uncle and cousins from Iowa will be coming through. The plan is to spend some time over lunch with them as they head to the Chippewa valley for a couple of days. As everyone gets busier, it is harder to get together. Or make the time for a road trip to see each other. Some meetings are not so bad.
— Fr. John A Potaczek