Morsels and Tidbits

PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN - As you may have read in the Highlights from both the July and August Finance Council Meetings, a fence is being installed to limit access to the “Project Fit” area, which is located between the school and church buildings on the Wellington Street side of the parish property. The action is warranted due to an increasing amount of illegal activity taking place in an area hidden from plain view. On several occasions over the summer, drug paraphernalia was discovered in this area. In addition, the same area, at other times, has been used as a hangout for underage youth to smoke and drink alcohol. While the Elmwood Park Police Department has been extremely generous in their willingness to regularly walk through the area, we cannot expect them to do this on a daily basis.

My overarching concern is for the children of our parish, especially our parish school children who use this area regularly as a place to play and exercise. They should be able to do so in safety.

DAILY MASS - Now that our parish school has been back in operation for a couple of days, the school children will resume attending daily Mass once again, beginning on Monday, August 30th. They will attend according to the following schedule:

It is a joy having the school children present! I warmly encourage parents and grandparents who are not working to come for Mass on the day(s) that your child(ren) attends.

A BRIEF VISIT – On Friday, September 3rd, we will have our monthly First Friday day of Eucharistic Adoration from 9 am to 8 pm, with Benediction at 7:45 pm. I encourage you – over the course of the day – whenever you can take a free moment – stop by the church – make a brief visit to our Eucharistic Lord. Whether you are running an errand, coming home from work, or simply needing to get out of the house – you do not need to stay long – simply take the time – thank the Lord for the blessings that are yours.

AS A NEW SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS – Let us ask the Lord to bless everyone involved:

Blessed are you, Lord God,
Creator of body, mind, and heart;
You have sent the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge
to guide your people in all their ways.

At the beginning of this new school year, we implore your mercy:
bless all students and teachers that together they may grow
in faith, hope, and love as they learn from you and each other
how to follow your Son Jesus.

Expand the horizons of the human mind,
that all may grow in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge;
deepen the commitment to seek the truth of your ways;
and enliven faith to reach out to those in need.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Praying for you,
Fr. Jeffrey