Summer Catechesis and Summer Shuffling
It is already time to look toward the summer. CCD ended last Wednesday; ALPHA, RCIA, and Surviving Divorce have all transitioned to summer mode. However that doesn’t mean that parish life stops during the summer. There are still plenty of happenings and things to look forward to. In June, we’ll be saying farewell to Fr. Jedidiah and in July we’ll welcome a newly-ordained parochial vicar (we’ll learn who he is on May 21). Both Fr. Jedidiah and the new parochial vicar will have an accompanying picnic to celebrate the occasion. Stay tuned for locations, dates, and times in the bulletin.
Also at the end of August we’ll welcome another seminarian intern. Everyone remembers the year that Deacon Alex Dugas spent in our parishes 2020-2021. The seminary has asked us to host another seminarian-intern and his internship will begin in August and last until May 2023. Christopher Buschur has been assigned as our intern. We look forward to his presence in our parishes.
Another summer shuffling is that Dawn Buehler has decided to retire from regularly playing the piano at St. Lawrence. May will be her last month. Dawn has been so generous in accompanying the music over the years at Immaculate Conception and St. Lawrence. She always has a positive outlook and is incredibly easy to work with. Over the years, she has taken on greater responsibility during transitions and when needed. This has been incredibly helpful in tight spots. Our parishes have been blessed by her ministry for years. She’ll still be around the parishes as a parishioner and probably occasionally fill in as grandparenting allows. Nate Hanson, who regularly plays at Immaculate Conception, will take over her duties at St. Lawrence.
As far as summer offerings go, I’m really excited about something this summer. I’ll be leading a series of evenings and mornings called “Summer Catechesis: RCIA for Catholics.” Basically I’ll be teaching the basics of the Catholic faith for anyone who wants to attend. It will be very similar to the presentations offered to RCIA candidates and catechumens. Oftentimes sponsors who accompany someone through RCIA mention how much they have learned. So often we don’t receive any catechesis after we’ve completed CCD or after we’ve been confirmed.
I want to encourage everyone to attend. Some might learn a lot, others may just get a nugget here or there. Summer Catechesis: RCIA for Catholics will be offered twice a week (it will be the same presentation both times). It will be offered Wednesdays at 7:00pm at St. Joseph in the Adult Center and 9:00am on Thursdays in the Immaculate Conception basement. It will begin Wednesday May 11 and Thursday May 12. I will be leading all the sessions, except for the two weeks that I’m on vacation. If you can’t make the sessions, one of them will be recorded each week.
I strongly encourage everyone to attend. There is always something more that you can learn about our Catholic faith. Maybe you went through ALPHA and this could be a good next step in formation. Maybe there is someone that you could bring with you. Or possibly, you aren’t Catholic and you’d like to use these sessions to explore the Catholic faith without the pressure of entering the Church. Come to Summer Catechesis: RCIA for Catholics and bring someone with you.
May these summer months be a time of refreshment and hope. May the Lord Jesus Christ accompany you and your family and may the Holy Spirit enflame your heart.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Sean Wilson
