The Beginning and the End
It has been an exciting week in our parishes. We had the Fryburg Homecoming on September 3 and the birthday party for the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8. Thank you so much to everyone who helped to pull off these wonderful events. We are so grateful for your dedication to our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. It is a great blessing to have these opportunities to gather as followers of Jesus Christ and members of His Church.
In addition, this week we had the first evening of CCD (K-6), Edge (7-8), and Life Teen (9-12). Please keep all of our young people in prayer. Our catechists and core team members are just phenomenal and we are incredibly grateful for their dedication and support. It is amazing how many people are involved in the formation of our youth. Last Wednesday (8/30/23) we had a gathering for our catechists. They took a deep breath to plan lessons, share ideas, and talk about best practices. Please also keep our catechists in your prayers.
In regards to our programs for high schoolers, unfortunately I have to announce that our youth minister, Natalie Patricio-Agosto has accepted a new position. She will be in charge of a residency hall at the University of Cincinnati and will be heading back to school. We are incredibly grateful for her two years at our parishes. She is kind and is incredibly sharp and perceptive. I am grateful for the love and joy that she shared with our teens.
Natalie wanted to share a little message with everyone:
It has been such an honor to walk with the teens of this parish along their journeys of faith. I am forever grateful to them for allowing me to love them and show them the love of Jesus. To fellow staff, thank you for being gracious and understanding. Lastly, thank you to every member of this parish for welcoming me into this wonderful community. This place is special, without a doubt, and I leave here inspired by your faith and love. I am so thankful that this is not goodbye forever! Please keep me in your prayers, and I will be keeping you all in mine.
For the time being, we won’t be posting the Youth Minister position. Now isn’t the best time to hire a new Youth Minister, as the best Youth Ministers already have jobs at this point. We’ll rely on the members of our high school core team to carry the torch under the guidance of Angie Soules, our Director of Evangelization. Please pray for our core team, our teens, Natalie, and Angie during this time of transition.
Speaking of transitions, in a previous bulletin, I mentioned that we have purchased new hymnals, which will be in the pews in Advent. We’ll begin the rollout process this Thursday, September 14 in the Immaculate Conception basement at 7:00pm. The meeting will introduce the new hymnal and some of its features. We will explain how we chose this hymnal and why we decided to move on from the current Pew Missal. The meeting will be geared toward those who participate in music ministry, but everyone is welcome to attend.
Lastly, please join Catholic across Ohio in praying the 54 Day Rosary Novena for the protection of life. The novena begins this Friday, September 15th (Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows). Details are on page 5.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Sean Wilson
