Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ 6 September 2026

A Blessed Fortnight

As I complete my second week as Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, I am most grateful for the gracious welcome I have received, and I’ve come to appreciate the palpable peace on our campus. I recognize that the spiritual state of this parish reflects the years Fr. Arnold served as your shepherd, and more recently Fr. Mike. I am also grateful for our committed pastoral staff and the time each member of the team has made for me through one-on-one meetings regarding their respective areas of ministry and goals for this new ministry year. I am grateful, too, for the time I have spent with members of the pastoral leadership team, including the Chair of our Pastoral Council, Marilyn Sanchez-Henry, and Co-Chair, Chad Ruggles. I have also met with our Finance Council Chair, Jeff Dolan, as well as Kathy Schmidt regarding marriage preparation and enrichment, and I am grateful for the support of our sacristans, led by Theresa Fernandes. I look forward to meeting with our Pastoral Council and hearing from all of them as we seek to chart a specific path forward this fall. I also recognize I have not yet met many parishioners responsible for various ministries, including our SALT outreach program, but I know your involvement is crucial.

This past Monday, I attended the first school assembly for the new academic year, and I was quite impressed with the students’ spirit as they attentively listened to Mr. Pressimone offer his Catholic vision for the new school year, and by our teachers’ active participation. Mr. Pressimone led the students in a rousing, faith-filled song that included hand gestures and clapping. We are blessed to have Mr. Pressimone as our Principal and Mrs. Lofland as our Assistant Principal. Of course, we lift up prayers for all our students as they begin a new school year, whether here at OLPH, at Lamb of God, in a public or private school, in a hybrid program or at home.

Whether you are a longtime parishioner or a new parishioner like my father, Brian Bolger, a family with six young children, a married couple with no children, or a single person for the Lord, what unites us is not the school we attend or the sports teams we follow, but our Catholic faith. It is my hope and prayer that in the years ahead we will grow in holiness, unity, priestly vocations, vocations to consecrated life, many sacramental marriages, greater numbers and increased outreach initiatives. Let us entrust the future to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and allow the Holy Spirit to do something new in us.

FUNDRAISING BANQUET – Join us for our Annual Fundraising Banquet “Anointed with Love” on Thursday, September 17th, at 6:30 p.m. at Martin’s Valley Mansion in Cockeysville. We are excited to welcome the Sisters of Life as our speakers and Pro-Life Award recipients. You can sign up to attend at pcnministry.org/fall-fundraising-banquet. RSVPs are due by September 1st. Questions? Contact our Development Director, Amy Fuchsluger, at amyf@pcnorth.org or 410-377-2872.

BLUE MASS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS – Archbishop William E. Lori will celebrate a special Blue Mass at 11:00 a.m. Sunday, September 13, to recognize first responders from across the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Monastery Parish, 3801 Old Frederick Road in Baltimore.

PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY, WITH A NOVENA FOR OUR PRIESTS – Join us for a nine-day novena beginning Friday, September 18, offering nine days of prayer for Fr. Jesse, Fr. George, and priests around the world. On Sunday, September 27, we commemorate Priesthood Sunday, a meaningful occasion to honor, express gratitude, and pray for the priests who dedicate themselves to our community. Throughout the day, our prayers will emphasize spiritual renewal, wisdom, and strength for our shepherds. Novena guides can be found at the rear of the church.

THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION AT OLPH – Updated schedule as of September 7, 2026:

Mondays, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Fridays, 4 – 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 3 – 4 p.m.
olphparish.org/visit-schedule/

ALSO NEARBY, AT NEIGHBORING PARISHES – Confession times at nearby parishes:

St. Louis, Clarksville – Fri 7:30 – 8:00 a.m.; Sat 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
St. Francis of Assisi, Fulton – Monday, 7:30 p.m.
Resurrection/St. Paul, Ellicott City – Wed 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.; also 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at the Resurrection Parish Center; Sat 3:30 – 4:50 p.m.
Ascension, Halethorpe – Sat 3:15 p.m., before the 4:00 Mass
St. Augustine, Elkridge – Sat 4:15 p.m., before the 5:00 Mass

St. Francis of Assisi reopens Sept. 16 following renovation; please confirm before you go. Times may change; please check parish websites.