Next Sunday afternoon we will have our Annual Fall Parish Family Picnic. It will take place from 1 pm to 4 pm on the Holy Redeemer School soccer field, weather permitting. We invite you to join us as we come together as a family of faith. There will be plenty of free food and drinks and great entertainment for our children. Many of our parishioners and guests have enjoyed the Picnic in past years.
Pope Francis often speaks about the need for strong families. In an address to families, he stated, “The family is alive if it is united in prayer. The family is strong if it rediscovers the Word of God and the providential value of all it promises. The family is generous and builds history if it remains open to life, if it does not discriminate and serves the most fragile and needy, if it does not stop offering the world the bread of charity and the wine of fraternity.” Pope Francis points to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as a model for us to follow.
“A Family Prayer”, composed by Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, also focuses on the importance of family.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of our family.
Enlighten our hearts and minds so that we may live more fully in this vocation to love.
In our daily life and work, may we reflect the self-giving love which you,
O Father, eternally show with your Son and the Holy Spirit.
Let your love be evident in the peace that reigns in our home and in the faith we profess and live.
May our family always be a place of generosity, understanding, forgiveness, and joy.
Kindly give us the wisdom and courage to be witnesses to your eternal design for the family;
and grant that the Holy Family of Nazareth may always guide our path to holiness as a family.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
As we reflect on this prayer, our bishops have reminded us that hospitality and welcoming are important ways to accompany our people on their journey of faith. Please avail yourselves of this welcoming opportunity to embrace our parish family, and join with your fellow parishioners next Sunday for food, fun, and fellowship.