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Streaming Masses and Announcements for 23 February 2025

Today's Live-Streamed

Worship Aid for Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

    The 2025 Bishop’s Lenten Appeal mailing was recently sent to parishioners. The 2025 theme is “Abounding in Hope,” which reminds us of this great theological virtue that is rooted in Jesus Christ and the victory he won for us. The in-pew pledge weekend is March 1 - 2, or you can make a gift at: www.arlingtondiocese.org/BLA. Please indicate you are a parishioner here and it will count toward our parish goal of $560,000.

    The second collection is weekend is for the Black and Indian Missions.

    The diocese just announced dates for eucharistic ministry training and they are soon.  If you are interested in serving in this ministry, please contact Fr Don as soon as possible.

    Please join us on Monday evening 24 February at 7pm. for an evening of prayer for healing and hope. Fr. Cedric Wilson, Osa will present “Anxiety and the Spiritual Roadmap Forward

    Concerts at Saint Bernadette presents the first concert of the 2025 season, welcoming the US Navy Band Chamber Ensemble on Friday, February 21 at 7:30pm, in the church.

    All Saints Church (Manassas) has invited our parishioners to participate in their Multi Car Raffle. Tickets are being mailed to households in the next week   A portion of the proceeds raised are granted back to our parish school. See today’s bulletin for more information.

    Knights of Columbus Springfield Council 6153 will be hosting a Spaghetti Dinner and Trivia Contest Saturday, March 1 in the school cafeteria.  Dinner is from 6–7:30pm followed by trivia until 9pm. Please join us, more details in today's bulletin.

    Congratulations on a successful St. Lucy Food Drive last weekend. Through your generosity Saint Bernadette parish collected 4 tons! (8,055lbs) of food and an additional $ 850 in cash donations. It a huge help to the start of their month! The team at St. Lucy extends their sincere appreciation for the support from our parishioners.

    Inclement Weather Delays and Closures
Saint Bernadette Parish and School follows the Fairfax County School System regarding closings for snow and other inclement weather. If public schools are closed, our school is closed and all activities on the campus for that day and evening are canceled.  Please take this policy into account when scheduling use of Parish facilities during winter months.

 

 

 

Fr. Don’s Weekly Letter ~ 23 February 2025

Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,

Every once in a while things will come up in conversation that reveal misunderstandings of things that I believe are central to life in the Church. Often they are things that are the product of misinformation (maybe well-intended) that cause people to stay away from the sacraments or develop a bad self-image with regard to beliefs. I keep a list and, every once in a while, try to publish corrections. Here are a few major ones:

1) Being divorced does not forfeit your dignity in the eyes of God or make you any less a member of the Church. It does not exclude you from Holy Communion. Of course, Catholics must be married sacramentally in the Church, a civil marriage is not valid, only legal. So if you are a divorced Catholic who never married in the Church, civil divorce ends civil marriage, and a good confession is sufficient. If you were married in the Church and intend to remarry or start dating again, talk to one of the priests about the annulment process, because civil divorce does not end the sacramental bond. You are still married to that person sacramentally. We investigate the former marriage and determine if it was really sacramental, done for the right reasons with all the necessary intentions of fidelity, permanence, or openness to children, or if there might be any psychological incapacity on the part of either spouse. Once the former marriage is declared null (didn’t happen), you are free to seek marriage again for the first time.

2) The Rite of Christian Burial has three parts: the Vigil (commonly called a “wake” to make sure the person doesn’t merely seem to be deceased), The Funeral Mass, and the Rite of Burial. There is a current trend to move away from these Rites which the Deceased, if they were a person of faith and would have wished it, deserves. This happens for several reasons. Sometimes, surviving family members no longer practice Catholic faith and don’t understand the full impact of what a Funeral Mass is for. Much more than a “celebration of life” or tribute to the Deceased, it is actually a uniting of the Deceased’s earthly life in thanksgiving to the bread and wine of the sacrifice of Jesus to the Father in the Mass. This final communion is the commencement of that perfect communion which is the beauty of eternal life. More importantly, if the Deceased may not have been ready to enter the embrace of God needing further purification, they rely entirely on our prayers and the intercession of the saints to achieve that eternal life. The Mass is the greatest prayer we can offer for them, as well as the greatest act of charity we can do for them. Not to do so would be wrong.

Sometimes people make these decisions for economic reasons. Cutting out the Funeral Mass (the most important part) might be offered as a good option by the funeral home when, in fact, it costs the least. Our parish costs are only $100 for the church (which can be waived in difficult circumstances) and stipends for the musicians, if desired. The Church teaches that it is preferred to have the Funeral Mass with the body of the Deceased present and that cremation, if planned, be done after the Mass, but not required.

3) It seems that many people were taught as children that you may not receive Holy Communion unless you have been to the sacrament of Reconciliation. This seems to have had two results. On the one hand, too strict a rule can cause people to disregard it; on the other, scrupulosity can result as a response to the idea that I must find sins to confess. People can have unhealthy approaches to confession.

The official teaching: if you have committed grave (mortal) sin, you need to go to confession before receiving Eucharist. A regular practice of confessing is good, even if you don’t have mortal sin, because the grace of the sacrament deepens your relationship with God and brings about spiritual growth, but venial sins may be forgiven in many other ways: a sincere act of contrition, penance, fasting, almsgiving, works of mercy, the Penitential Rite at the beginning of Mass, even receiving Communion itself. Do you feel nervous going to confession? I have found focusing on the unconditional love and mercy of God is such a greater reflection than focusing on my sins. It brings about greater contrition.

The Lord be with you.

Streaming Masses and Announcements for 16 February 2025

Today's Live-Streamed

Worship Aid for Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    The 2025 Bishop’s Lenten Appeal mailing was recently sent to parishioners. The 2025 theme is “Abounding in Hope,” which reminds us of this great theological virtue that is rooted in Jesus Christ and the victory he won for us. The in-pew pledge weekend is March 1 - 2, or you can make a gift at: www.arlingtondiocese.org/BLA. Please indicate you are a parishioner here and it will count toward our parish goal of $560,000.

    The second collection is weekend is for the Black and Indian Missions.

    The diocese just announced dates for eucharistic ministry training and they are soon.  If you are interested in serving in this ministry, please contact Fr Don as soon as possible.

    Please join us on Monday evening 24 February at 7pm. for an evening of prayer for healing and hope. Fr. Cedric Wilson, Osa will present “Anxiety and the Spiritual Roadmap Forward

    Concerts at Saint Bernadette presents the first concert of the 2025 season, welcoming the US Navy Band Chamber Ensemble on Friday, February 21 at 7:30pm, in the church.

    All Saints Church (Manassas) has invited our parishioners to participate in their Multi Car Raffle. Tickets are being mailed to households in the next week   A portion of the proceeds raised are granted back to our parish school. See today’s bulletin for more information.

    Knights of Columbus Springfield Council 6153 will be hosting a Spaghetti Dinner and Trivia Contest Saturday, March 1 in the school cafeteria.  Dinner is from 6–7:30pm followed by trivia until 9pm. Please join us, more details in today's bulletin.

    Congratulations on a successful St. Lucy Food Drive last weekend. Through your generosity Saint Bernadette parish collected 4 tons! (8,055lbs) of food and an additional $ 850 in cash donations. It a huge help to the start of their month! The team at St. Lucy extends their sincere appreciation for the support from our parishioners.

    Inclement Weather Delays and Closures
Saint Bernadette Parish and School follows the Fairfax County School System regarding closings for snow and other inclement weather. If public schools are closed, our school is closed and all activities on the campus for that day and evening are canceled.  Please take this policy into account when scheduling use of Parish facilities during winter months.

 

 

 

Fr. Don’s Weekly Letter ~ 16 February 2025

Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,

We have a few topics to consider this week.

1) First of all, I want to express my profound gratitude not only to the many volunteers who continue to serve our parish ministries where our parish finds its mission and purpose. Education, both in the school and religious education programs, provides a foundation for the future of our children. Our youth prograns, our adult formation programs, outreach to the poor -- all are necessary for our parish family to live into the Gospel which is so fulfilling not only for those we serve, but for ourselves, too.

All those who volunteer to enhance the quality and authenticity of our worship: musicians, choirs, altar servers, ministers of Holy Communion and lectors who deliver the Word of God whenever we gather. Just imagine what it would be like without you!

All those who serve on committees and councils -- you help us in our pastoral ministries to make the right decisions in seeking the will of God in our service.

Last weekend we had a wonderful celebration for you, but I also must express my gratitude to those who made it happen. Parish Staff all turned out to thank you for supporting our vocations and careers. Dr. Burgess and some teachers from the school came to serve our volunteers, reversing the roles at least in this hope that we can bring you joy with our Night of Gratitude celebration. We can’t do our jobs without your help. A few photos from our Night of Gratitude can be found on pp. 10-11.

2) I have the happy role of reporting in on the success of our Parish Center. We have met with the architects and our schematic drawings are underway. Design drawings will follow that will need to be finalized before they are given to engineers who will figure out how to make the building happen, that careful balance between watching the budget and ensuring we receive what we need. Once that step is done and, with the next okay from the Diocese, we begin to secure our GC, the bid process, construction drawings followed by applying for permits. This is one of those steps that you can never guess how long the process will take. The construction drawings scope can run over 100 pages which detail every wall, doorknob, technology and fixture. But with drawings we know will work, we can look forward to determining an estimated start of construction. There are probably steps I’ve left out, but you have the idea. The great news is we have begun!

3) Our country has joined the rest of the world’s problems in earnest now, and there is a great deal of uncertainty many of you have about employment, economy, security and our republic. I have spoken with many of you who speak about you or your friends experiencing a downward spiral of anxiety and stress.

We have decided to have a prayer service a week from this Monday, February 24, an Evening Prayer for Healing and Hope. It is an evening prayer, so families with members observing different Christian traditions can come together and truly pray together. It will include Scripture and prayers based on the Liturgy of the Hours, but will include additional reflections, as well as a talk by our own Fr. Cedric Wilson who has a PhD in psychology and has practiced as a therapist, “Anxiety: a Spiritual Roadmap Forward.” Many don’t know about Fr. Cedric’s professional life which he as served as an Augustinian priest.

This prayer service is intended for everyone, especially our many members who are employed by the federal government and its many agencies as well as those in the military who are facing uncertainty at this time. Please pass the word about this prayer service as you are able, it is intended to provide pastoral help to all of us who are wondering what is coming next. Please see p. 9 for details.

No matter what, know that you are loved and your first vocation as a follower of Jesus is, as Saint John of the Cross said, “Where there is no love, let me put love. Then, there I will find love.”

The Lord be with you.

Streaming Masses and Announcements for 9 February 2025

Today's Live-Streamed

Worship Aid for Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    The 2025 Bishop’s Lenten Appeal mailing was recently sent to parishioners. The 2025 theme is “Abounding in Hope,” which reminds us of this great theological virtue that is rooted in Jesus Christ and the victory he won for us. The in-pew pledge weekend is March 1 - 2, or you can make a gift at: www.arlingtondiocese.org/BLA. Please indicate you are a parishioner here and it will count toward our parish goal of $560,000.

    The second collection is weekend is for the Parish and Facilities Maintenance.

    The diocese just announced dates for eucharistic ministry training and they are soon.  If you are interested in serving in this ministry, please contact Fr Don as soon as possible.

    Concerts at Saint Bernadette presents the first concert of the 2025 season, welcoming the US Navy Band Chamber Ensemble on Friday, February 21 at 7:30pm, in the church.

    All Saints Church (Manassas) has invited our parishioners to participate in their Multi Car Raffle. Tickets are being mailed to households in the next week   A portion of the proceeds raised are granted back to our parish school. See today’s bulletin for more information.

    Knights of Columbus Springfield Council 6153 will be hosting a Spaghetti Dinner and Trivia Contest Saturday, March 1 in the school cafeteria.  Dinner is from 6–7:30pm followed by trivia until 9pm. Please join us, more details on page 9 in today's bulletin.

    Congratulations on a successful St. Lucy Food Drive last weekend. Through your generosity Saint Bernadette parish collected 4 tons! (8,055lbs) of food and an additional $ 850 in cash donations. It a huge help to the start of their month! The team at St. Lucy extends their sincere appreciation for the support from our parishioners.

    Inclement Weather Delays and Closures
Saint Bernadette Parish and School follows the Fairfax County School System regarding closings for snow and other inclement weather. If public schools are closed, our school is closed and all activities on the campus for that day and evening are canceled.  Please take this policy into account when scheduling use of Parish facilities during winter months.

 

 

 

Fr. Don’s Weekly Letter ~ 9 February 2025

Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,

WASHINGTON - In response to last week’s Executive Orders signed by President Trump, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) offered the following statement:

“Many of the issues President Trump addresses in his recent Executive Orders, along with what may be issued in the coming days, are matters on which the Church has much to offer. Some provisions contained in the Executive Orders, such as those focused on the treatment of immigrants and refugees, foreign aid, expansion of the death penalty, and the environment, are deeply troubling and will have negative consequences, many of which will harm the most vulnerable among us. Other provisions in the Executive Orders can be seen in a more positive light, such as recognizing the truth about each human person as male or female.

“I wish to reiterate that the Catholic Church is not aligned with any political party, and neither is the bishops’ conference. No matter who occupies the White House or holds the majority on Capitol Hill, the Church’s teachings remain unchanged. It is our hope that the leadership of our Country will reconsider those actions which disregard not only the human dignity of a few, but of us all.

“Following the ancient tradition, Pope Francis has declared 2025 as a Jubilee Year of Hope. As Christians, our hope is always in Jesus Christ, who guides us through storm and calm weather. He is the source of all truth. Our prayer is one of hope that, as a Nation blessed with many gifts, our actions demonstrate a genuine care for our most vulnerable sisters and brothers, including the unborn, the poor, the elderly and infirm, and migrants and refugees. The just Judge expects nothing less.”
______________

Thanks, Archbishop Broglio, for your voice. These are confusing times and the diocese has provided materials with regard to immigration and the constitutional rights of undocumented immigrants. I was so glad to receive a policy with corresponding instructions, and everyone should know the procedures. I didn’t know them...

For this reason I have put “Know Your Rights” as well as Bishop’s letter in English and Spanish in the bulletin this week (pages 10-17), and on the church bulletin boards. If you know people who are at risk, please share this information with them.

Whatever we do, we must not answer hate with hate, or the cycle will only worsen. Jesus must have seen similar challenges in the context of his own day, and this is what he preached to his disciples:

“To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

“To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.

“Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount.

“But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give, and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

The Lord be with you.

Streaming Masses and Announcements for 2 February 2025

Today's Live-Streamed

Worship Aid for Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

    Our next St. Lucy Project food drive is THIS WEEKEND, February 1–2 after all Masses. Please bring your blue Saint Lucy food bags filled this weekend.

    The 2025 Bishop’s Lenten Appeal mailing was recently sent to parishioners. The 2025 theme is “Abounding in Hope,” which reminds us of this great theological virtue that is rooted in Jesus Christ and the victory he won for us. The in-pew pledge weekend is March 1 - 2, or you can make a gift at: www.arlingtondiocese.org/BLA. Please indicate you are a parishioner here and it will count toward our parish goal of $560,000.

    This weekend’s second collection is for the Arlington Catholic Herald. Please consider supporting the official, award-winning newspaper of the diocese and its mission to evangelize through news from a Catholic perspective. Our $ 46,312 assessment is based 80% of our registered households.

    2024 year-end Contribution Statements were mailed this week. Please contact the parish office if you have any questions.

    Concerts at Saint Bernadette presents the first concert of the 2025 season, welcoming the US Navy Band Chamber Ensemble on Friday, February 21 at 7:30pm, in the church.

    All Scouts are invited to wear their uniforms to 9am Mass on Sunday, February 2 in recognition of Scout Sunday.

    All 6th-8th graders are invited to our Middle School Youth Ministry this Wednesday, 5 February. Join us for games, snacks, and fun from 6:45-8pm in the Gym. All middle schoolers are welcome, bring a friend!

   All Saints Church (Manassas) has invited our parishioners to participate in their Multi Car Raffle. Tickets are being mailed to households in the next week   A portion of the proceeds raised are granted back to our parish school. See today’s bulletin for more information.

      Inclement Weather Delays and Closures
Saint Bernadette Parish and School follows the Fairfax County School System regarding closings for snow and other inclement weather. If public schools are closed, our school is closed and all activities on the campus for that day and evening are canceled.  You may also call the Parish Office for a recorded message. Please take this policy into account when scheduling use of Parish facilities during winter months.

 

 

 

Fr. Don’s Weekly Letter ~ 2 February 2025

Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,

This week we will be sending out our end-of-the-year financial statements to all registered parishioners so that we make sure that our records match your records of your charitable giving. It is also an opportunity for me to offer to you our gratitude, my gratitude, for your support of the mission of the parish, as well as to ask the parish for wider support in trying to keep our weekly offertory at least in line with rising expenses, which we all know too well.

The thing “they” don’t tell you in seminary is that you are going to be responsible for a business with a $6+ million annual budget. Fortunately, I had a little business experience prior to going to the seminary, but a parish doesn’t follow a usual business model with countable products or service hours to sell: it relies entirely on the goodwill and generosity of you, the people who belong.

It is an integral part of living our faith, supporting the church which shapes our lives. No matter how large or small the gift, it is a responsibility shared by every member.

We have about 4,100 families registered at Saint Bernadette, and a little less than half having no record of financial giving this year. Of course, we give in many other ways, too, by giving time to volunteering and service, by using your talents to give back to God in ways that can build up the kingdom. For that we are grateful.

In doing our ten-year projection for the new building we have discovered that, at its current rate of growth, our Sunday offertory for the parish may not keep up with the cost of living in the years ahead, whether we were building a Parish Hall or not. So I am asking you to give, if you are not, and consider helping us meet the annual 3% rise in expenses – and be ready for the additional maintenance costs of the new building. Anything you can do will be appreciated.

In a spirit of transparency, we need to enhance our weekly collections to illustrate our strong ability to move forward with construction. We are exactly where we need to be with regard to the building campaign.

When I was a kid at Christ the King elementary school in Kansas City, we weren’t rich but my dad would always take the first $20 bill and set it aside for Sunday. When we were kids my dad worked for the newspaper and went to night school to get his college degree. My mom worked hard at home.

That $20 was in their budget. Back in those days, that was a generous amount (It is considered a good amount today!). Then, if you had a regular contribution to the parish collection, Monsignor Kearney would provide discounts on school tuition for families.

I don’t know how much tuition was then, my guess would be it was about 5% of the cost today, probably $400. Today, as a primary mission of our parish to provide a Catholic education for our children, we close the $1,200 gap for all our Catholic students between the tuition parents pay and the cost of educating each child. That $1,200 comes from your donations, the monthly Tuition Assistance second collection, and the operating budgets of the church and school.

I realize that a lot is coming up, and it seems like everyone is asking for money too often, but this is not a big ask. I ask only that you let your commitment to faith and the church be an active, visible expression of stewardship, supporting what is good, and holy, and true, the place where you can always be at home and find God, peace and calm in the middle of so many storms.

While I’m thinking of it, thanks and congratulations to our wonderful teachers and staff, Dr. Burgess, Mrs. Reid and their admin team, and our priests for a great year as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week this week. We have fun events and activities throughout the week as our school family grows together and we shape the future not only of our church, but of our society.

The Lord be with you.

Streaming Masses and Announcements for 26 January 2025

Today's Live-Streamed

Worship Aid for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

      Volunteers are needed to help prepare meals and visit with those in our community that are homeless, January 26 through 28 at Saint Mark’s Lutheran Church in Springfield. Food and monetary donations will be accepted on Sunday, January 26th between 1-4 in the Bradican Rm. A signup has been created listing specific requests. Flyers are in the vestibule of the church and a link is included on the announcements page on our website.

      Saint Bernadette School will celebrate the start of Catholic Schools Week with an Open House being held tomorrow/today on Sunday January 26, from 12 - 1:30pm. Please call for a reservation. See what Saint Bernadette School has to offer your family.

      Please mark your calendar for our next St. Lucy Project food drive on Sat/Sun, February 1/2 after all Masses.  Be sure to pick up your blue Saint Lucy food bags at Masses this weekend January 25/26 and bring them back filled on February 1/2.

      Please join us for a WorkCamp Interest Meeting January 26, for all teens and Adult Volunteers Contractors and Crew Leaders. Please join us in the Bradican Rm at  6:15pm

      All adult parishioners who have volunteered in the past several years are invited to come to our Night of Gratitude - Saturday, February 8, 7-11pm.  Join us for an evening of hors d’oeuvres, drinks and dancing to the music of the Andrew Thielen Big Band of North Myrtle Beach.  This is an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the work of parish volunteers.  RSVP to Evelyn in the parish office by January 31. Details on page 12.

      All Scouts are invited to wear their uniforms to 9am Mass on Sunday, February 2 in recognition of Scout Sunday.

      The 2025 BLA mailing was recently sent to parishioners. Having celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Diocese of Arlington, we move forward renewed and united in faith. The 2025 Bishop’s Lenten Appeal theme is Abounding in Hope, which reminds us of this great theological virtue that is rooted in Jesus Christ and the victory he won for us. You make a gift at: www.arlingtondiocese.org/BLA.

      Inclement Weather Delays and Closures
Saint Bernadette Parish and School follows the Fairfax County School System regarding closings for snow and other inclement weather. If public schools are closed, our school is closed and all activities on the campus for that day and evening are canceled.  You may also call the Parish Office for a recorded message. Please take this policy into account when scheduling use of Parish facilities during winter months.

 

 

 

Fr. Don’s Weekly Letter ~ 26 January 2025

Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,

This week we will be sending out our end-of-the-year financial statements to all registered parishioners so that we make sure that our records match your records of your charitable giving. It is also an opportunity for me to offer to you our gratitude, my gratitude, for your support of the mission of the parish, as well as to ask the parish for wider support in trying to keep our weekly offertory at least in line with rising expenses, which we all know too well.

The thing “they” don’t tell you in seminary is that you are going to be responsible for a business with a $6+ million annual budget. Fortunately, I had a little business experience prior to going to the seminary, but a parish doesn’t follow a usual business model with countable products or service hours to sell: it relies entirely on the goodwill and generosity of you, the people who belong.

It is an integral part of living our faith, supporting the church which shapes our lives. No matter how large or small the gift, it is a responsibility shared by every member.

We have about 4,100 families registered at Saint Bernadette, and a little less than half having no record of financial giving this year. Of course, we give in many other ways, too, by giving time to volunteering and service, by using your talents to give back to God in ways that can build up the kingdom. For that we are grateful.

In doing our ten-year projection for the new building we have discovered that, at its current rate of growth, our Sunday offertory for the parish may not keep up with the cost of living in the years ahead, whether we were building a Parish Hall or not. So I am asking you to give, if you are not, and consider helping us meet the annual 3% rise in expenses – and be ready for the additional maintenance costs of the new building. Anything you can do will be appreciated.

In a spirit of transparency, we need to enhance our weekly collections to illustrate our strong ability to move forward with construction. We are exactly where we need to be with regard to the building campaign.

When I was a kid at Christ the King elementary school in Kansas City, we weren’t rich but my dad would always take the first $20 bill and set it aside for Sunday. When we were kids my dad worked for the newspaper and went to night school to get his college degree. My mom worked hard at home.

That $20 was in their budget. Back in those days, that was a generous amount (It is considered a good amount today!). Then, if you had a regular contribution to the parish collection, Monsignor Kearney would provide discounts on school tuition for families.

I don’t know how much tuition was then, my guess would be it was about 5% of the cost today, probably $400. Today, as a primary mission of our parish to provide a Catholic education for our children, we close the $1,200 gap for all our Catholic students between the tuition parents pay and the cost of educating each child. That $1,200 comes from your donations, the monthly Tuition Assistance second collection, and the operating budgets of the church and school.

I realize that a lot is coming up, and it seems like everyone is asking for money too often, but this is not a big ask. I ask only that you let your commitment to faith and the church be an active, visible expression of stewardship, supporting what is good, and holy, and true, the place where you can always be at home and find God, peace and calm in the middle of so many storms.

While I’m thinking of it, thanks and congratulations to our wonderful teachers and staff, Dr. Burgess, Mrs. Reid and their admin team, and our priests for a great year as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week this week. We have fun events and activities throughout the week as our school family grows together and we shape the future not only of our church, but of our society.

The Lord be with you.