Brothers and Sisters,

As a child, I dreaded few things more than the infamous “wet willy”—a prank that was both annoying and, frankly, quite unpleasant. Now that I’m older and understand the importance of hygiene, it seems even more distasteful.

But imagine if the remedy for a serious ailment was just as uncomfortable. Would you still seek it out? Many people, understandably, avoid medical care due to fear or discomfort, even when it could save or greatly improve their lives. That’s why the support of family and friends is so crucial; they encourage us to seek the care we need and stand by us throughout the journey.

In the Gospel, Jesus performs many miracles, but the most profound impact often goes beyond the physical healing. Jesus restores those marginalized by illness or disability to their rightful place in the community. Even more importantly, He renews their confidence and trust in a God who hears their cries. God cares. God intervenes.

We, as members of a faith community, are called to be instruments of God’s grace and mercy. It is our responsibility to help one another “Be opened!” to the abiding presence of God. God cares, and our heavenly Father intervenes in our lives, yet we often overlook this truth. When we are isolated and fearful, we become more vulnerable to deception and lies, leading us to believe we are abandoned.

As we resume our faith formation, a key focus must be on teaching the kerygma. Archbishop Christophe Pierre recently reminded us that the kerygma is not merely a tradition or a social practice. Instead, it is the joyful proclamation of the Good News that Jesus Christ is a living Person to be encountered, who through His Resurrection has defeated sin and death. The kerygma invites us to begin again from Christ, embracing this profound truth and helping others to do the same. 

Recognizing our past challenges in proclaiming the kerygma, we understand that this task goes far beyond teaching prayers or memorizing the Ten Commandments and the Seven Sacraments. Experiential learning is most effective when the entire family is involved. That’s why we’ve committed to engaging families together in faith formation. Our families play a crucial role in catechesis, ensuring that our children and youth receive more than just information—they are truly formed in the faith as disciples of Jesus. Our parish staff has been hard at work designing Faith Formation programs to help every family member, regardless of age, grow closer to God. Registration is now open for the 2024-2025 Sacrament Preparation, including First Reconciliation and First Eucharist for 2nd and 3rd graders and religious education for pre-k through middle school children. We’re also offering a half-day retreat for adults on Saturday, October 12th, led by Sr. Eileen Quinn, OSF, and Sr. Mary Therese White, OSF, exploring the question, “Who has God been for you in your life?” For more details, please refer to this bulletin or visit our website at OLPHParish.org.

Please keep our family faith formation efforts in your prayers, as well as our mission to cultivate strong, Christ-centered relationships within our parish community.