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For our last summer series we will meet in the St. James Media Room at 7:00 pm on Thursday August 22 for a discussion on St.Therese of Lisieux.

There will be a prayer service starting at 6:00 pm (before the Assumption Mass) on Thursday, August 15 at Our Lady of the Rosary so that we can have prayer time for the victims of the recent violence and shootings that occurred in Texas, California and in Dayton, Ohio. - 6:00pm: opening the church and lighting candles. Time for a personal silent prayer. - 6:25pm: Opening song - 6:28pm: Divine Mercy Chaplets - Chanted followed with the Litany of the divine Mercy. - 6:50pm: Song for peace.

Vigil Mass: Wednesday, August 14 7:00 pm, St. James of the Valley Holy Day Masses: Thursday, August 15 12:10 pm, St. Matthias 7:00 pm, Our Lady of the Rosary

I have long been given to bold declarations; so much so that I don’t think people really take me seriously when I say that something is “the best” or “the absolute worst” in the world. But as news broke over the last week or so concerning priests being put on leave in the Archdiocese and the mistakes in handling the situations that took place, I thought of two “bests” that I often trumpet. Click on title for full column.

I have mentioned before that I have an unusually vivid memory for odd things. If I could remember theological and formational information the way I remember movie quotes and song lyrics, I would no doubt be a professor somewhere. But such is not the case, sadly. However, I was recently thinking back to a conversation I had when I was still in college, and what a fool it ultimately made me seem, given the way my life has panned out. Click on title for full column.

It was remarkable that something special happened at St. Matthias last week when almost 100 children from our region attended the Vacation Bible School from Monday through Friday. Almost 40 volunteers helped them and led them to the school of prayer life. Also, for three days starting on August 1, the WWPR will host the “Days of Service; Nights of Prayer” retreat for our children, 8th grade age and older. They reach out to those in need during the day, and in the evening, they have time to learn about the faith, pray together and celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation. Fr. McCullough and I are blessed to be part of these two pastoral events. We appreciate the amazing work that the WWPR staff and volunteers do with their help in this ministry towards children. Click title for full column.

We are offering a “Summer Series” on the Church Doctors. We meet in the St. James Media Room at 7:00 pm. Thursday, July 25 Fr. McCullough will be discussing St.Gregory the Great & St. Ambrose.

I began to grow suspicious around the third voicemail I got this past weekend of folks singing to me, and I knew that someone must have been coordinating an effort to get people to call and sing me happy birthday. I should have known it was Fr. Lambert all along, and I am grateful to him, all the singers, and everyone who so graciously wished me a happy birthday and prayed for me last weekend. Ordinarily checking voicemails and emails can be something of a chore, but it was a joy to see such an outpouring of love. Truly, you are all too good to me. Now, on to the Gospel! Click on title for full column.

This Sunday, July 21, 12:00-3:00 pm! Join us for a parish picnic to celebrate the feast day of St. James. Many hands make light work. Please sign up for a volunteer spot (see link below). We look forward to seeing you at the celebration! Link for both volunteers and side dishes/desserts: https://bit.ly/2xbOcSw

The Wojtyła (Voi-TIH-wah) Society's next event will be a whiffle ball game on Saturday July 20 at 11:00 am at St. Matthias!

Rivalries, once a major concern in my life, have become somewhat amusing as I get older and my priorities change. There was a time when I could spend an entire day shouting about why Cubs fans are obnoxious, or better yet, how Steelers fans are the worst (they really are, though I can think of a few parishioners who are going to have a word with me after seeing this column…) But while I still enjoy watching sports when I have the time, my vocation and the situations it places me in have taken the edge off the seething hatred I once felt for certain sports organizations. I suppose there is something about being invited into the homes and hospital rooms of the dying a hundred times that shifts one’s perspective. Click on title for full column.

Our Region’s VBS will be July 22-26 from 9:30 am –12:30 pm at St. Matthias. Click title for registration and supply link.

I can see the beginnings of an important separation that is taking place among my peers from the seminary, that being what some would call the thinning of the herd or the separating of the wheat from the chaff. In simpler terms, I now see a dividing line between the geniuses that the Archdiocese has sent away for studies, and us poor, lowly parish priest types who tend to the flock and make sure the bills get paid and the lights stay on. I am thrilled to be in the latter category, but every so often I have an encounter with the smarter priests of the Archdiocese, and it’s a reminder of what a dim bulb I am at times. Click title for full column.

One of the true joys of ordained ministry for me has always been running into people that I’ve been privileged to serve in some way. Whether it’s the family for whose loved one I celebrated a funeral, or a family whose child I have baptized, there is always a special bond when you’ve encountered Christ together with someone at a significant moment of their life. Perhaps my favorite type of encounter is running into a couple whose wedding I’ve witnessed. Despite how different all of these couples truly are, one of the most consistent themes of these conversations is that they sometimes feel as though they’ve been married for twenty years, and other times it seems like yesterday. Click on title for full column.

4th of July Regional Mass The regional 4th of July Mass is 9:00 am, Thursday, July 4 at St. Matthias.

A number of regional youth and young adults gathered on Thursday, June 20,  at Our Lady of the Rosary. Along with pizza and a “hearts” tournament, Father McCullough talked about stewardship and tithing. Click title for more information.

Join the WWPR for the 4th Annual Feast of Corpus Christi Procession on Sunday, June 23 at OLR. Immediately following the 11:30 am Mass Click title for full article.

I always thank God for growing up in Christian family. I thank God for each of my parents and grandparents. As a boy, I learned so much from my father and my grandfather. Now I see how much they both strived to actively live their faith. Their way of life was of great influence in my vocation journey. My grandpa, Jean Baptiste, worked with missionaries in building the churches in the area. He also dedicated his time in serving the poor through the “parish caritas.” It was not only by spending his time working at the parish that got him a nick name “padre” (same word used to call a parish priest), but also the fact that he blessed children making a sign of the cross on their forehead anytime they greeted him. I cannot count all the many times he said these words of blessings on me: “May the God of our ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, bless you and keep you safe. And I give you the paternal blessing. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Click title for full column.

"My brothers and sisters in Christ, Greetings from the Holy Land! I have been visiting the sites here in Palestine and Israel since we landed here on Pentecost Sunday. For the past five days we have been in and around Jerusalem, and tomorrow we will head to Galilee to visit some of the places of Jesus' early life and ministry. The days have been very warm and have seen a lot of walking, but I cannot begin to express what a joy it has been to celebrate the sacraments here in the birthplace of Our Lord and His Church. I visited here five years ago as a seminarian, but being here as a priest and a pastor is a special grace, and I have been praying for you all immensely. At the sacrifice of the Mass I have especially remembered Fr. Lambert, the deacons and staff, and all those I serve or have served as a priest. Click title for full update.

As you guys read this here in our region, I will be well on my way to the Holy Land for a pilgrimage, and I would appreciate your prayers as I will also be keeping you all in prayer while visiting some of the sites we read about in the bible every day. My mom would appreciate your prayers for safe travels, and I would especially appreciate your prayers that I survive the heat while wearing a cassock in sunny Jerusalem… Click title for full column.