​Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear parish family and friends of St. Julia,

It's been a full week here at St. Julia.  On Monday we had our Visionary Council meeting (minutes below).  On Tuesday we had our R.C.I.A. open house, with seven individuals joining us with a desire to learn about the faith.  Others joined us as well to share in this journey for a total of seventeen people gathered in our Divinity Room.  On Wednesday I welcomed the seven-year-old children from our parish / St. Peter Catholic Elementary School to begin our preparations for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion.  On Thursday we had the funeral mass of Jane Oschypko who died at the age of 97.  As a seminarian here at St. Julia I fondly remember Jane in the back row everyday praying the rosary with her small yet mighty group of prayer warriors.  Thursday evening and Friday I had the opportunity to attend a conference for Canada's Bishops, Seminary Rectors and Vocations Directors titled "Renewing Priestly Vocations in Canada: Reflections and Dialogue" that was informative and enlightening.  A full week.  Looking ahead to next week, I will be at St. Peter Catholic Elementary School on Wednesday for the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi blessings animals, stuffed animals that is, in our Kindergarten classrooms.  Photos to come in next weeks newsletter!

While we embrace the season of fall and the winding down of the l growing season, we continue to reap the benefits of our beautiful region and the harvest now taking place.  This Sunday we will hear about the "spiritual harvest" that must take place in our lives and within our hearts.  When we live a life in and for Christ, we believe it will yield a bountiful harvest.  That is what our Visionary Council, R.C.I.A.., sacramental preparations, faith studies, bible study groups, St. Vincent de Paul, C.W.L., community outreach, visiting the sick...the list goes on, is all about.  That, my friends, is my prayer for all of us here at St. Julia - that our words, deeds, actions, and witness, will yield a most bountiful harvest!

May God bless each of you and those that you love, and I look forward to seeing you at mass this weekend.

Fr. Greg