Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

 Dear parish family and friends of St. Julia,
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As our liturgical year prepares to come to an end with the First Sunday of Advent the weekend of December 2nd and 3rd, (yes, I can't believe it either), there is so much for us to pray for.

I ask for your prayers for our RCIA candidates (the unbaptized) and catechumens (baptized in another denomination) that the Holy Spirit has sent to us.  Now 14 in number, one of our recent meetings had 26 of us gathered in the Divinity Room to learn and grow in the faith. This included sponsors, our catechists, and members from our parish community.  It is something that I sit back and am in awe of.

I also ask for your prayers for our youth preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation with Bishop Bergie next Sunday, November 26th, as they prepare to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Our Grade 2 children from our parish are preparing for their first Reconcilation on November 29th.  They are eager and excited, and some a bit scared I am told, though I assure them that I am there to guide them every step along the way.  That goes for those young at heart as well.  These children did themselves proud in leading our ministries last Sunday at our 9:00 a.m. mass.  If you want a smile and a reminder that the spirit of faith and hope is alive, I livestreamed the mass that you can go back and watch here.

We continue to prayer fervently for the end of war and destruction in the Middle East and Ukraine.  For all those displaced from their homes, for the lived lost, and for the uncertainty, we pray for peace, and for comfort and strength for all those impacted.  This is sad on so many, many, levels.

I ask for your prayers for the members of our community who long to be one with us around the altar.  For all those suffering due to sickness, caring for a loved one, or facing the challenges of raising a family, we unit our prayers with them.  I also ask that you continue to keep Fr. Charles Moser, who served our community as pastor, in your prayers.

During this month of November, we pray for all the souls in purgatory, and those loved ones, family members, friends, and members of our community who have gone before us.  This is an important part of our faith to pray for them and to help them get to heaven.  If they are already enjoying the eternal banquet of heaven, those prayers are redirected to someone else.  Prayers are never wasted.

And if you can fit in one more prayer, say a prayer for me, as your pastor.  As always, be assured of my prayers for each of you and those that you love.

I look forward to us gathering together this weekend for the source and summit of our faith, the celebration of the mass.  Maybe even be wild, and invite and bring a friend.  Just not to wild.
May God bless each of you and those that you love,
 
Fr. Greg