Posted on September 27, 2020 View all news
This coming Wednesday will be Jim O’Shaunghnessy’s final day with us. I again wanted to thank Jim for his service to our parishes. Jim enabled us to get several things accomplished here that we otherwise would not have been able to get to for several years. I wish him well in his future endeavors!
I will accept resumes until Wednesday for the new Facility Manager position. This will be the position that will replace Jim, as we discovered his role primarily became ensuring we kept up on all the maintenance needs between our parishes. We have already interviewed several quality candidates, and I intend to make a final decision soon. Please remember this intention in your prayers.
Even as October is a little different this year, there are still several things to be aware of during the month that will keep us busy. First of all, remember that October is the Month of the Rosary. If you haven’t made a habit of praying the Rosary daily, this next month will be an excellent opportunity to develop that habit. Praying for our country and the upcoming election would be a worthwhile intention during your daily Rosary!
We have several special Masses in October. First, we will resume the First Friday Sung Mass on October 2 at 6:30 p.m. The next day, October 3, we will have a Solemn Mass for St. Thérèse at 9:30 a.m. The following Friday, October 9, at 6:30 p.m., we will celebrate for the first time on his feast day, the still newly canonized St. John Henry Newman, founder of the Oratory in the English speaking world. Please be sure to mark these dates down and make them part of your October plan. Again, these are good opportunities to pray for our county in the lead up to the November election.
Also, Bishop Slattery will be with us on October 25 for the Sacrament of Confirmation at 3:30 p.m. at Old St. Mary’s. We have several young people prepared to receive the Sacrament. Please be sure to keep them in your prayers over this next month.
Also, our adult conversion classes will begin on October 6 at 7:00 p.m. For more information, please contact the parish office.
The Oratory will not be hosting our annual dinner this year. We are planning on bringing it back next year. With many of the cautions, we decided that it was not prudent to proceed this year. We will, however, be doing a mail appeal in place of our annual fundraiser. So please keep an eye out for that in the coming weeks.
Lastly, as a note to those who have been asking and keeping an eye out. I have moved the pilgrimage to the Holy Land from this January until next November. The new dates are November 3 until November 12. More information will be forthcoming in the coming weeks, and I am hopeful that life will have returned to normal by then.
In the meantime, have a blessed week ahead, and God bless!
