Great is your faith: This weekend in our Gospel we hear of the astounding faith of a non-believing woman. She is in desperate need—her daughter is sick, possessed by a demon. Pope Francis states that, in turning to Jesus, the woman is “brave,” like any “desperate mother” who would do anything “for the health of their child.” “She had been told that there was a good man, a prophet,” the Pope said, and so she went to look for Jesus, even though she “did not believe in the God of Israel.” For the sake of her daughter “she was not ashamed of how she might look before the Apostles,” who might say amongst themselves “what is this pagan doing here?”
Something new—trash bags!: Many months ago I visited my niece’s family in Indianapolis to attend my great nephew’s First Communion. While I was there I asked my niece what fundraising they do at their parish. “Do you have an auction? Do you sell raffle tickets?” Nope. The only thing they do, as well as many other local parishes in their area to raise money, is sell trash bags! I was fascinated by this and I don’t mind stealing ideas! So, our parish is going to begin. (Our other fundraisers will continue.) It’s no secret that our sound system in the Fr. Bush Parish Center needs to be replaced before we begin our renovations of the church next summer. In order to fund this, we decided to find something that everyone needs to buy and still raise money for the parish. Starting this weekend, we will be selling high-quality trash bags in three different sizes. With your help, the profits from these sales will fund our new sound system and hopefully many other projects around our parish. Look for the order envelopes in the church bulletin and our sales table after Mass during the month of September.
Capital improvements: There are lots of campus developments going on. Besides the usual preparing for school with cleaning classrooms, waxing the floors, etc., there are a lot of other things to take note of. First of all, our school music room is expanding to fit our band room. That should be completed in a few weeks. Our steps from the lower level by our parish office will be repaired soon. The house by the Church will be demolished within the next week or so too. Additionally, by the end of the school year we hope to have a new sound system and new ceiling tiles in our parish hall.
School New Parent Meeting: School is right around the corner! I enjoy asking the students if they are ready or not for school. The responses are split. Some of them can’t wait, others not so much. We welcome our new parents to a meeting this coming Wednesday. I look forward to seeing them.
Korean Dinner: Speaking of our school, on Friday, August 25, Fr. Dan and I will be going to dinner to Dr. Simon and Dr. Sia Lee’s house for an authentic Korean dinner. This is the first of three school auction dinners that we are attending. I know, it’s a tough life!
Bangladesh: I really enjoyed having Fr. Tom McDermott, a priest of the Holy Cross, here last weekend. He has a strong Irish personality! Thank you for your generosity in helping support the Church’s mission in Bangladesh and beyond. As of August 15, $6,216.69 was raised.
Becoming Catholic: Are you or do you know of someone who is interested in joining the Catholic Church? The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) begins in September. It’s a great program! If you are interested, please contact Maddie White at mwhite@holyfamilygrandblanc.org.
Alpha: Looking forward to our Alpha series coming up in September. Please pray about attending.
Veggies: Someone keeps on dropping off cherry tomatoes from our community garden, which is flourishing. Really appreciate handyman Gavin Beach, who made a veggie stand to display the produce.
Vocations: Fr. Dan and a few young men w ill be attending the vocations day at the St. Francis Retreat Center this Sunday. Please pray for vocations!
Crim Race: Many of you will be participating in the Crim Race next Saturday, August 26. No bets this year as last year Fr. Gary didn’t run fast enough and several Holy Family members beat him. I will be there to watch again!
Mom: This Saturday, August 26, my mom, Fidelis (‘Faye’) turns 91. Our family is getting together that afternoon.
Fishing Trip: I thoroughly enjoyed my fishing vacation from August 5 -11. As much as I enjoyed the fishing, which was very plentiful, I really admired the beautiful scenery and the stillness.
Love and Prayers,
Msgr. Jerry