St. Michael, pray for us!
 
It has been a fast and furious pace, since the beginning of July with the Faith Formation staff hard at work preparing for the upcoming school year!  This parish is so blessed to have so many people sharing faith in ministries that bring others to deepen their faith.  When we love God, it is easy to want to share the Good News.  But it is when we care for our neighbors’ needs as much we care for our own needs, by offering opportunities to gather as women and men in faith, that we share in the communal life of the Church as disciples.  We want to share a slice of all that is going on in the world of Faith Formation here at St. Michael Catholic Church!
 
Congratulations on the success of the recent Teen Discipleship Team Retreat!  Our older teens are asked to continue (after Confirmation) their lives of discipleship to others.  Our TDT group are living witnesses to leading lives that are formed in faith.  This group of youth will help to peer-lead retreats and other events throughout the year.
 
Thank you to all donors of the 365 Youth Ministry Campaign!  It was a great success. Your generosity will go to support this crucial aspect of our parish’s faith formation.  We humbly give thanks to God for your willingness to provide more opportunities for these young people to grow in their walk with Jesus.
 
Our Charismatic Prayer Group has just held its Spirit-Led Mass.  We encourage you to join this group for praise and worship on Fridays at 7 PM.
 
Our registrations for our Pre-School, Elementary, Middle, High School Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation sessions are ongoing.  Thank you to all of you who have registered your child(ren) for the upcoming school year!  If you have not registered yet, please go to our parish website, under Learn and Grow, and click on Registration 2018-19.
 
Our Children’s Liturgy of the Word program for youth Grades 1-3 will begin at the 9:15 AM and 11:15 AM Masses, starting the weekend of September 29/30.
 
Walking with Purpose is a 22-week Women’s Bible Study that begins September 13/14. We are looking forward to also hosting the Walking with Purpose Ambassador Event on October 4 for those interested in bringing the bible study to their parish.
 
In Search of Belief is a 6-week book discussion group held by Sr. Ann Belmonte.  Based on the book by Joan Chittister, this group will discuss the Creed and its meaning for us today.
 
The RCIA for Children is for anyone over the age of 7 and under the age of 18 who has not been baptized or has been baptized but has been away from the Church.  If you or your child(ren) fall into this category and wish to discuss your options, we are hoping to start a new group soon!  Please contact me.
 
Our Traveling Cross Ministry continues this weekend and on the first full weekend of every month.  One household will be selected per Mass to receive and take home the cross to pray for vocations throughout the month.  We are looking for a new coordinator for this ministry. Please let me know, if you would like to lead!
 
Our worthiness is a truth that transcends age and time.  We are worthy enough to dig deeper into the mystery of Christ and find out new things about ourselves.  That is the exciting part of faith formation: watching people grow into a mature faith that can take the good and the bad and make a moral decision based on knowledge, not fear or cultural demands.  We are a Church united and rooted in love, despite the darkness that seeps into our family of faith. Our second reading this weekend tells us what the truth is about the purpose of religion in our lives. “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” (James 1:27) Orphans and widows are the classic examples of the poor and oppressed.  So how are we to care for the needs of so many and keep ourselves unstained, too?  Knowledge.  Knowledge that grows into understanding that grows into wisdom.  Come learn more about your faith beyond the observance of Mass. 
 
In the Mass, you meet Jesus face-to-face.  Faith Formation gives you time to nurture that one-on-one relationship, while living in a community of believers.  I thank you all for the warm reception I have had here over the past couple of months.  I know I have been “behind the scenes,” but I look forward to meeting all of you this fall, as programs kick off and our schedules go back to “normal.”  I pray for each of you, as I hope you are praying for me.  My office is open.  If you want to talk about your faith life, contact me!
 
Much Love and Many Blessings!