From the Pastor’s desk— October 5, 2025
Dear Parishioners,
This weekend will be the fourth session of PSR and I’m really enjoying working with the catechists and the students. Every Sunday the catechists meet for prayer together before going to our classrooms. We share updates on how the classes are going and invite any special prayer requests or needs. It makes me happy to see how happy our catechists are as they prepare to go teach their students about our faith in Jesus. I hope our families can feel that joy when students come home. I know the classroom isn’t always an easy place.
I’ve been very impressed with the students in my confirmation class. They participate and are very respectful and attentive. After covering the classroom rules on the first day, we’ve spent time getting to know each other, learning about the bible, and learning about the mass. One activity we did was a bible show and tell. I brought about ten bibles I have at home of every shape and size, made of different materials, some with lots of commentary, some with none. After everyone agreed which one they liked best, we ordered copies for everyone in the class. I think they have good taste because they chose my favorite bible that I keep by my bedside and carry when I travel.
We also had activities for the students to get to know each other and a field trip into the church. For the meeting game, all the students stood in a line and had to reorganize themselves by birthdays and then by age, but they couldn’t use words! They had to use sign language to talk to their neighbors and swap places. We had a good time and afterward they grouped together by what schools they go to so they could meet their schoolmates. On our church field trip, I showed them the priests’ clothes and the altar, we talked about their symbolism and why Jesus chose bread and wine to become his Body and Blood, and what it means to offer ourselves with Jesus to the Father. For homework, they were told to read John 6 about the Bread of Life in their new bibles.
Please continue to pray for all of our catechists and PSR families.
Fr. Joseph