Catechetical Sunday 2018 – 2019 Today, September 15, 2019, the Church celebrates Catechetical Sunday. This year’s theme is one that touches all of us: “Stay with Us.” We are living in a secularized society which continues to squeeze Christianity to the margins, or even completely out of engagement with Jesus and his Church.
Many parents are saddened to admit that their children are leaving the Church after preparing for and celebrating the Sacraments of Initiation, years of Catholic school, or parish religious education instructions. Unfortunately, Church weddings and weekly Mass attendance are down in many parish locally, across the nation, and around the world. Those who identify themselves as atheists or agnostics (“Nones”) now make up approximately 23% of the adult population in the United States.
At the same time, we are blessed with incredibly generous and faith-filled parishioners who respond to the invitation of Jesus to give witness to the Gospel in their homes, schools, parishes, and workplaces. As a parish, we are working towards to training and supporting members as a people evangelizing, serving as missionaries of the Good News. This is accomplished by training our catechists and promoting Small Group faith communities. It will take all of us - the whole Church - to reach out and engage the “Nones” inside and outside the walls of the Church.
As we begin a new catechetical year, recognize the priviledge we have in knowing Jesus and the peace that comes from inviting him to “Stay with Us .” Whether we know it or not, we ALL are teachers by the example we give – even something as simple as a smile! Be intentional about wanting to share the joy of the Gospel with others. This is our privilege, responsibility and mission as disciples of Jesus. Amen? AMEN!
Praise God & Give Thanks! Thanks to EVERYONE who participated in this year’s celebration of the Annual Harvest Home Dinner and Festival last weekend at Saint Alphonsus. What a tremendous success! I’ve enjoyed the Harvest Home Dinner for many years; it never disappoints! It was a delicious hardy meal in the company of family, friends and fellow guests. This was the first year for me to be at the 5K Race (which is different from actually participating). The attendance of 452 runners and walkers demonstrated a significant increase in participants!
To all who gathered to have fun and participate – those in leadership roles, the army of volunteers, our generous sponsors and benefactors, those who prepared the dinner and served our guests, those who set-up and stayed to clean-up, and in a special way, all who patronized this annual celebration – THANK YOU! More details as to specific outcomes will be communicated in future weeks. In the meantime, thank you for being a part of the success and as always: praise God from whom all blessings flow!
God bless…
Welcome Bishop Waltersheid! This Tuesday evening, September 17, we welcome Bishop William J. Waltersheid to the Catholic Community of Wexford for the celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation with our young people.
In accord to a specific request by Bishop Zubik, each grouping was asked to host a single celebration of Confirmation, this year’s celebration will take place at Saint Alexis so as to not restrict the number of family members and guests that may attend.
Please continue to remember the young people who will be receiving this sacrament in your prayers. God has GREAT gifts in store for them-and His Church! Pray too, for their parents, they are critical in fostering their children’s faith lives by their own relationship with Jesus and personal example. May all of us, as the baptized, have hearts o-p-e-n to receive the outpouring of God’s love and guidance everyday in our lives.
Making Disciples The singular most important command of Jesus to his disciples (all the baptized) is to MAKE DISCIPLES (Matthew 28:19)! How do we do that? Well, to begin with, by example; demonstrating in word and action the difference that Jesus makes in our lives. Secondly, by inviting others to come and experience Jesus in community - his Church. If you or someone you know has not been baptized, perhaps baptized a Christian outside the Catholic Church or a baptized Catholic who has not completed the sacraments of Initiation (Confirmation and Holy Communion), the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is for you!
If any of these scenarios describe you or someone you know, come or invite them to COME and SEE! Sessions are scheduled to begin soon. Contact Dave VanVickle, the Director of Evangelization of the Catholic Community of Wexford at ([email protected] or 724.935.4343 extension 232). The initial period is a time of inquiry and discernment. No pressure. It’s all about YOU and where Jesus may be calling you to be. We want to be that community that assists you on the journey. Pray for and invite someone you know to join us; COME and SEE who Jesus is and what he has given us.