Many parishes focus on stewardship during the month of October. In the weeks ahead all parishioners will be receiving more information in the mail about stewardship in our parish, including a brief summary of our parish’s annual financial report and opportunities for getting involved in our parish’s many ministries. In that spirit, this week’s stewardship thought comes from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2003 letter, Stewardship and Young Adults: “Our Catholic tradition teaches us that with so many blessings come great challenges. At all times in our lives, we have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to share what we have been given. It begins with remembering our baptism, when we became followers of Jesus Christ. From this call flows the commitment to Christ that makes stewardship possible—and deeply rewarding. However, this is a commitment to a lifetime of action, and it requires sacrifice. Through following Christ, we have the benefit of the role model of sacrifice for the greater good, a model of self-giving and loving service.”
Throughout this month, all the parishes in the diocese are conducting the annual October Count. Every year, during the month of October, we do this literal “head count” of how many people are attending Mass. These counts are important in statistical reporting, especially in helping the diocese and parishes determine long-term trends in Mass attendance, which aid greatly in planning for the future. The month of October is chosen because there are no major Church feasts or holydays during the month, vacation season is over, school is in session, and the weather is generally still good...all factors which lead to “normal” Mass attendance.
Here at Holy Family and St. John, we began the practice last fall of counting attendance at every weekend and holyday Mass all year long. This extra data that we have been collecting is useful in tracking seasonal shifts and other trends at our parishes. Next month, after we make our October Count report to the diocese, I hope to share some data and observations.
Both parishes will be opening the 2025 Mass book this week for the scheduling of Mass intentions for the year ahead. I hope you have noticed the information regarding the scheduling of intentions (it was in last week’s bulletin as well as today’s). Limiting the number of Masses any individual or family can schedule is not an arbitrary or capricious decision. In any given year, there are only so many Masses scheduled in the parish and it is my desire as pastor to accommodate as many Mass requests as possible throughout the year. Many families who have lost a loved one during 2024 have yet to be able to schedule a Mass intention for their loved ones because there have been no more openings in the Mass book. Please note that no individual intentions will be accepted for Masses on Christmas, Easter, Mothers’ Day weekend and Fathers’ Day weekend. In addition, the Church’s Canon Law places certain responsibilities on the pastor and the parish regarding Mass intentions, including the requirement to celebrate a Mass for the People every weekend and on every holyday. So, I ask everyone to please be mindful of the guidelines and the need for them and to be respectful of our parish secretaries and other staff members when scheduling intentions.
Next weekend, the Church around the world will be observing World Mission Sunday. Even as we may struggle with challenges here at home, on World Mission Sunday, we are called to remember in a special way the great needs of the Church, and her life-giving service, in the Developing World. We should dedicate ourselves to prayer, personal sacrifice, and generous financial support for more than 1,150 dioceses throughout Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands, and remote regions of Latin America. In times of tragedy—such as natural disasters—our mission family looks to the Church for help and hope. World Mission Sunday celebrates our unity as a human family and provides an opportunity to support the life-giving presence of local priests, religious and lay catechists among the suffering and poor of the missions. As always your prayers are a most treasured gift to the Missions. The envelope to contribute to this important collection is in your envelope packet. God bless you for your generosity!
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