August 30,  2026

Is there a single word in our language that means more than “hope”? Hope reminds us that no matter what we face today, better things are coming. For cynics, that might mean looking through rose-colored glasses. For others, it is a survival mechanism. For us, it means faith and trust that God has a plan. But God’s plan doesn’t mean He comes down on a cloud and fixes our messes or smooths the hard parts of our lives. More often than not, hope comes in the form of a good neighbor helping us in time of need.

We have certainly seen many of our neighbors in hard situations, especially since the storms of this summer. Today, many of you are bringing cleaning supplies to be distributed through “Hope is on the Way.” Your items will be divided into buckets that will be then distributed to areas in need of help. What a beautiful way to reach out in a very practical way! Doing so is not only a kindness. It lends credibility to our commitment to Christ. If you weren’t able to bring any supplies this weekend, we will be happy to accept your donations anytime you can bring them to the parish. Let’s continue to pray for people facing difficult times.
Big thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make our Block Party a success! It was fun to get together, hear some great music, meet new people, and watch an amazing pie-eating contest! The kids had a blast in the bouncy house. We thank the Fire Department for stopping by and letting us check out the truck.

Did you get your Golden Ticket in the Valu-Pak? Don’t keep the ticket! Pass it on to someone you think might be interested in becoming Catholic. Our first job as a baptized people is to invite others to know and love Jesus. You do, so why not invite others to share the love? Pass that Golden Ticket on!

Last weekend, we had a wonderful, large and noisy group of children at the 9:30 AM Mass. That is a great sign for our parish! If Mass is too quiet, it can be a sign we are dying. Noisy children are a sign of hope for our future. So parents, please keep bringing the little ones to Mass, teach them the value of prayer and how to behave at Mass. If your little one starts getting cranky or out of hand, we have the cry room just for that situation. And if they need to get some fresh air, go for a little walk. We love our kids! It isn’t easy being a parent. For the rest of us, we need to consider what it is like to have children. Feel free to offer a smile and a helping hand. Those little ones are our future!