FATHER ABEL’S COLUMN – OCTOBER 22ND 2017

Next weekend, as part of our yearlong prayer and celebration for vocations, I have asked each priest to speak about their vocation story at the homily at Mass. It is important that you hear from us how we truly believe God has called us to this beautiful way of life. My hope and prayer is that young people may be inspired to consider a religious vocation and that families will talk about a religious vocation to their children and encourage it if it’s God’s will for them.

On Thursday, October 26, Bishop Chappetto will administer the sacrament of confirmation to 130 candidates from our Catholic Academy and religious Education Program. This is truly a special moment for our community! We will see once again the working of the Holy Spirit in the candidates who have generously responded to the power of God’s spirit. Confirmation completes the process of full initiation into Catholic Church! My prayer for them is that they will renew the face of the earth by their being sealed with the Spirit! Come Holy Spirit!

A special thank you to all those who have generously given to those special collections requested by Bishop DiMarzio these last few weeks! The average collection for each (Harvey, Irma & Puerto Rico) has been about $5,000.00.Also, thanks to so many parishioners; last Monday we were able to send 18 full garbage bags of supplies to help people in Puerto Rico. The Church, because of you, continues to be present on the front lines and show the compassion of Christ in moments of crisis and suffering.

I can’t thank you enough!

Rev. Kevin Abels, Pastor

This week’s Gospel: Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.