Dear Parishioners,
 
Our parish feast day is here! On October 1^st the Church celebrates the memorial of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus, also known as St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Even though October 1^st falls on a weekday this year, the Church allows us to celebrate St. Teresa during the weekend Masses as a solemnity. We distinguish three different types of celebrations: Memorials, feasts, and solemnities. Each have different liturgical elements (for instance, we pray the Gloria and Creed on a solemnity, but only the Gloria on a feast day). As our patroness, we celebrate St. Teresa as a solemnity, decorate her statue, and ask for her intercession this weekend.
 
October is the month dedicated to Mary and praying the rosary. So, every Monday during the Month of October we will pray the rosary at 6:00pm in the Church with the Blessed Sacrament exposed. I encourage everyone to come and partake of this quintessential devotion in the spiritual life. If you have never prayed the rosary before or if you have never attended Eucharistic Adoration, this is the time to start. The saints and all those who have joined in this devotion have grown in their relationship with Christ. The rosary changes lives, families, and the world. I hope to see you there on Mondays in October at 6:00pm.
 
As a reminder with the presidential election around the corner, we have several events to help us prepare and participate in the election process. As you can see elsewhere in the bulletin, there will be a lecture series on Catholic Social Teaching Thursdays in the hall. Michael and I will be leading this series. Additionally, we will have October devotions in the church Monday nights at 6:00pm. Finally, On October 28^th after devotions at 7:00pm Fr. Ryan Connors rector of Our Lady of Providence Seminary will present on the topic: “Rend Unto Caesar: Catholics and Politics in 2024.” 
 
In Christ,
Fr. Barrow