Who taught the Catholic faith to you? I wonder how many of us remember the names of the religious sisters, volunteer catechists, RCIA staff and others who worked with your parents to bring you to understand and love our faith? Their names may have faded from our memory, but the influence of their work lives on. Next Sunday is set aside in parishes around the country to recognize the important work of these people in the ministry of religious education, especially for our young people. On Catechetical Sunday we recognize and call God's blessing upon these women and men who carry on this important work.
Our programs tend to be most visible in the sacramental preparations for First Communion and Confirmation. I want to emphasize, however, that the years leading up to these two sacraments are also important to the minds and hearts of our children. Please make sure that you are not a stranger to our programs after First Communion!
Looking ahead: the first weekend of October features two very important themes for our parish: Right to Life Sunday, and Time and Talent. (We need more weekends in the year!) A representative from the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be speaking at all the masses to explain the work of this organization. For over a year I've had discussions with the Christian Service Commission and the Pastoral Council about establishing a conference of SVDP in our parish. We already have a very active and effective Franciscan Outreach which provides food assistance to the poor in our area. The speaker will explain how The St. Vincent de Paul Society can address other areas of need in Southfield. I will have some more to say about this next weekend.
Finally, five young men who have begun their Franciscan training will be visiting us on Monday to Wednesday. They are touring the places where we friars live and work. They will also visit St. Aloysius downtown, as well as our friary in Berkeley. You will see them at mass on Tuesday and Wednesday, and also helping out with our Franciscan Outreach on Wednesday.