Dear Parish Family,

  Happy start to a new Fall season! I'd like to draw your attention to a few items this week.

Life Teen Kickoff and Core Team Service
   First, I would like us to pray for our Life Teen Youth Ministry and our high school teens as they begin their year with a special kickoff this Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s. Life Teen has a mission statement of beautiful simplicity: to lead teens closer to Christ. To be led closer to Christ is truly the goal for us all and defines the mission of the Church. Please support our Life Teen Ministry with your prayers and consider becoming a Core member to walk with our young people through this critical stage of their faith journey. Please reach out to me or our youth minister, Sherri Loxterman, for more information regarding our Life Teen Ministry or if you would be able to answer the call to serve on Core team this year.

Pet Blessing
Please plan to bring your animals/pets to our Pet Blessing Service next weekend. On Sunday, October 3rd, I will celebrate a blessing at St. Mary Parish at 1:30 p.m., and Fr. Spisak will celebrate a blessing at St. Patrick Parish at 2:30 p.m. I have been grateful for the pets I've had throughout my life. We find great companions in our pets and animals. The Pet Blessing is a wonderful opportunity to remember God's love for us and for all His creatures.

Bishop Malesic on October as Respect Life Month
As we prepare for October as Respect Life month, I'd like us to reflect on the words and resources given to us by our Diocesan Bishop, Edward Malesic, included in this week's bulletin. Please commit yourself to working for peace and justice in our world so that all human life may be respected, protected, and cherished from conception through natural death.