Of course, you all know that this week is our National Holiday, Independence Day. Our Mass schedule for Thursday, July 4th will be: 7:30 a.m. - Saints Peter and Paul; 8:30 a.m. - Holy Family; 9:00 a.m. at St. Cecilia and St. Felix. You can get moving early or sleep in a bit and still pray for our nation on this momentous day.
I can remember how excited everyone was in my family and school when a Catholic was elected president of the United States in 1960. It wouldn't be until much later that I came to understand the anti-Catholic bigotry that was such a part of our national history. The irony of that is actually amusing. Our Catholicism actually makes us better citizens. The high spiritual and moral accountability of our faith sets a higher standard for every other part of our life including our civil responsibilities and obligations.
Your clergy team and parish staffs wish you all a wonderful holiday. The parish offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4, and Friday, July 5.
Summers have a slower rhythm in the parish but there is no reason why everything should stop. On Tuesdays, July 9, 16, 23, 30, we are going to repeat "The Catholicism Series" by Bishop Robert Baron. Many have seen it before, some never. It's a great program; video and discussion makes it very pleasant and not taxing. It will be held at St. Cecilia's (last one was at Holy Family) at 7:30 p.m. (after Mass) and I will be presenting. We will do four weeks now and then pick it up again in the fall.
My grateful thanks to Chris Patsch for her excellent work in Religious Education for St. Cecilia and our region. Chris is taking a job in another parish.
The next Pre-Baptism Class will be Monday, August 5, at 7:00 p.m. in the church. Please call the rectory to register at 724-775-4111.