08/31/2026
From the Pastor's Desk
Dear Friends in Christ,
The Gospel for the upcoming weekend will remind us of the importance of reconciliation in our lives. As Christians, we are called to be people who seek peace and reconciliation with one another. We cannot truly live as disciples of Jesus Christ while allowing anger, resentment, bitterness, or division to take root in our hearts. However, reconciliation begins with recognizing that we ourselves first need the mercy and forgiveness from Almighty God. Before we can be people who readily forgive others, we must humbly acknowledge our own need for God’s forgiveness. This is why the Sacrament of Confession is such an important part of our Catholic spiritual life. I encourage every parishioner to make Confession a regular part of your spiritual life. The Sacrament of Reconciliation a beautiful encounter with the mercy of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen from the dead. In Confession, the Lord invites us to examine our lives, turn away from sin, receive His forgiveness, and begin again with a renewed heart.
Jesus never grows tired of forgiving us. We should never be afraid to approach Him. His mercy is greater than our sins, and His desire is always to bring us back to Himself. Make Confession a regular part of your journey with Christ. It is truly one of the greatest gifts He has given to His Church.
I am also very happy to share some wonderful news about our Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). We currently have more than ten people who are seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church. What an amazing fruit of the Holy Spirit! Each of these individuals has a unique story and a unique journey that has led them to seek Christ and His Church. We give thanks to God for calling them, and we pray that He will continue to guide and strengthen them throughout this time of preparation. I ask all of you to keep our OCIA candidates in your prayers. Pray that they may grow in their knowledge and love of Christ, that they may experience the beauty of the Catholic faith, and that they may be strengthened as they prepare to enter fully into the life of the Church. We are still accepting registrations for OCIA. If you know someone—a family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker—who has expressed an interest in becoming Catholic, please invite them to consider taking this step. Sometimes a simple invitation is all that is needed to begin a person's journey toward Christ and His Church.
As we celebrate Labor Day this upcoming weekend, we give thanks to God for the gift of human labor and for all those who work each day to provide for themselves, their families, and our community.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of work and for the dignity that comes from our labor. Bless all who work to support their families and contribute to the good of our society. Give strength to those whose work is difficult, comfort to those who are unemployed, and hope to those who are searching for meaningful work. Bless our teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, business owners, laborers, farmers, public servants, and all who faithfully carry out their daily responsibilities. May we always remember that our work can become an offering to You when it is done with love, honesty, and dedication. Through the intercession of St. Joseph the Worker, help us to recognize the dignity of every honest labor and to use the fruits of our work for the good of our families, our neighbors, and those in need. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Peace and joy,
Fr. Glen
