Work continues on the church exterior painting and restoration project. Part of the project involves removing old caulking around the window frames and replacing it with a newer and more durable material. I am told by the contractor that this new material should last decades. Meanwhile, the new sacristy windows are on their way and should arrive for installation the week of October 16th; just in time for the colder weather. The current frosted windows in the sacristy and work sacristy are the single pane original windows. They have certainly lasted a long time. Yet, given that they are only single pane panels, they let in the elements. Furthermore, the metal framing on the inside has begun to rust and expand. On Monday, we celebrate Columbus Day, which did not become a federal holiday until 1937. Local celebrations among Italian immigrants began in the late 19th century. The Know Nothings, a nativist anti-Catholic immigration movement, fought against these Columbus Day celebrations. Their violent anti-Catholic bigotry included great prejudice against the Italian immigrants who celebrated Columbus Day. When Columbus landed 530 years ago, he introduced the Catholic Faith to America. In recent years this day has come to be known as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. It is good to remember the people, cultures, and civilizations that existed in North and South America prior to the arrival of European settlers and continue to exist. It is always good to know history. Unfortunately, this recognition gets mixed with a revisionist history that exaggerates or downplays the virtues and vices of one side or the other. Our model in the faith is Christ Himself who is the truth. We search for truth wherever we can find it (the good, the bad, and the ugly). Sometimes finding the truth requires a bit more digging. The office will be closed on Monday in recognition of the holiday.